Last word durability question

Shadon · Nov 8, 2012

My little 15-0-15 indicator (asian knock off) finally bit the big one, got dropped about 2 feet to the lathe bed and has become unreliable.

My question is not to accuracy, but to durability, do the name brands hold up to "real life" conditions?

Am considering Brown & Sharpe, Mitutoyo or Starrett

Comments and advice welcome.

Eric M · Nov 8, 2012

Short answer: YES! You get what you pay for.
What sort of accuracy / repeatability are you looking for? Are you making parts for yourself, or will they be flying high or diving deep?
Check these guys (Long Island Indicator) out for some brand-name comparisons: 037 : Dial Test Indicators

BobRenz · Nov 8, 2012

No matter which indicator you have, they aren't happy with a drop onto a hard surface - steel on steel (or concrete) equals a very large shock to the instrument, and whatever you have, it can be destroyed by the drop.

Other than dropping them, though, the brand names hold up very well. I have Starretts and Mitutoyos that are 30 years old that work fine. I bought a 1950's Starrett last year that just needed to have the stem oiled (with Starrett oil, naturally), and it is working perfectly.

Whenever you buy a Chinese tool, plan on it being a throw-away, because it won't last forever, and parts will be impossible to locate,

Shadon · Nov 8, 2012

Thanks for the link, the reversing lever on the mitutoyo looks like a pain, gonna stay away from that one.

The real Leigh · Nov 8, 2012

If you want a quality indicator, get an Interapid.

In my experience, Starrett Last Words have never been noted for their durability.

Neither Starrett nor Interapid make soccer balls.

- Leigh

The real Leigh · Nov 8, 2012

BobRenz said:
Whenever you buy a Chinese tool, plan on it being a throw-away, because it won't last forever, and parts will be impossible to locate,

Couldn't have said it better myself. :cheers:

- Leigh

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Last word durability question

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Shadon

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The real Leigh

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