It doesn't come back to zero - it sticks - while I'm still indicating a piece in. When I take the indicator off the machine it should return to zero, not go to some odd spot anytime it feels fit
You DO know how to set a working "zero", yah? "Coz "zero" is wherever "odd spot" you have SET it to be, Pilgrim.
Unloaded is where it was BEFORE you set a zero. Those are SUPPOSED to disagree.
Otherwise...
There was a period in history when "Federal" had gone pig-stupid and used UNhardend guts wherein they earned a notorious reputation for sticking.
NO other indicator, new or used, cheap or dear, that had not been DAMAGED or gone full of coolant and gummed-up, has ever exhibited that sort of stick, and I own dozens, have used more dozens not my own, damned near any brand you've ever heard of and more than a few you might never.
This "sounds like a
personal problem" to most of us. You aren't perchance in the industrial acids production biz, are you?
Or maybe just bashing the indicators so damned hard against over-travel you HAVE damaged them, "Day One, hour One, minute One"?
Indicator
holders are made able to MOVE or push clear-OFF a magnet for a reason.
Deny an indicator any place to safely
retreat to, it ain't the least bit slow, nor at all hard to bend, bash, or otherwise
f**k-up one sensitive indicator after another until all the money has left the building.
I ain't perfect. Just realistic. My ten-dollah Chinese "disposable" ones save the very lives of my Hamiltons, Dorseys, P&W, B&S, Bestest, Compac, Tesa, Interrapids, Starretts, etc.
Something is WRONG here, and it isn't on the production line of the indicator makers.