another dial indicator thread

[Chicken lights]

This is going back a few years now, picked up a snap on dial indicator set cheap that either had a missing dial indicator or a broken one. The snap on rep ordered in a Fowler dial indicator as a warranty replacement. It’s a back mount and doesn’t fit the snap on arms at all. Other than being discontinued I still don’t remember why a Fowler was sourced

Do I scrap the snap on pieces and move to a noga mount?

Try to get an indicator that fits the snap on arms?

Just scrap both kits and get a new system?

Buy a new snap on replacement?

I know roughly nothing about dial indicators except they are great when setup well and crap when they aren’t

 

[Tom Kitta]

I would sell / scrap the snap on setup - your indicator looks standard so there should be no issues getting it to work with any system you want... other then snap on. I did not even know snap on had indicators.

 

[Chicken lights]

I would sell / scrap the snap on setup - your indicator looks standard so there should be no issues getting it to work with any system you want... other then snap on. I did not even know snap on had indicators.

Snap on will rebrand anything to have their name on it

Ok, I’ll call Sowa tomorrow and see what they have to offer, they’re my best bet locally for machinist stuff

 

[DaveK]

Noga's rock. I got one a few months back and now wonder why I didn't get one years ago.

Dave

 

[Chicken lights]

I found this Teclock in the geriatric shop assistant stash, fits the snap on base perfectly. Plus fits in the case

Dunno if Teclock is a decent brand but it’s good enough for what I’m doing with it

 

[Susquatch]

in the geriatric shop assistant stash

??? That just sounds naughty! What the heck are you up to now ???

 

[Chicken lights]

??? That just sounds naughty! What the heck are you up to now ???

stealing dial indicators, obviously

(it’s not really stealing if it’s in my shop and I tell him I’m stealing it....)

 

[Dabbler]

Dunno if Teclock is a decent brand

A higher end Japanese brand. Arguably similar in quality to Interapid from the Swiss.

 

[140mower]

I really liked mine, it actually came off the snap on truck........ That is until the cement floor claimed it's poor jeweled life.
Clumsy bastard that I am.

 

[Downwindtracker2]

This is heresy, I know, but the PA dial indicator is the easiest one to get at and still gets the most dial indicator use. Back when , outside of a couple of work Starrett #196 button backs, it was the only one and got all the use in fact. No complaints.

 

[Mcgyver]

A higher end Japanese brand. Arguably similar in quality to Interapid from the Swiss.

Having been inside both I'd push back on that, but I do agree they're a good quality made in Japan indicator, probably close to Mitutoyo. Better than Fowler, which unless you get one the DTI that says Swiss (they're B&S), are rebranded Chinese stuff. Fowler makes nothing. Anyone of them in good nick will serve imo, Generally, unless you drop them, oil and dirt are the main issues with dial indicators, otherwise they keep going and going and going.

 

[Dabbler]

I'd push back on that

Of course. It is why I said 'arguably' Several of my friends used both Interapid and Teclock long term and found them similarly durable and accurate. I wouldn't kick either out of my tool box. My point was that he got a *steal* of a deal on that indicator and base. I'm sure you would agree with that.