Re: Precision instrument and tools.

Thanks for the post bro. I'm sure other members will appreciate this and the usefulness of the dial indicator when precision is required.

What can the fine adjustment base achieve compared to the non adjustable ones.

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

I'm slowly moving all shop measurement requirements / needs to Metric and hopefully standardize on this. Thus I sold all my Standard / English Calipers and Dial Indicator.

I got this metric Mitutoyo to replace my English Snap On kit. Compared to the Snap On this Mitutoyo looks real cheesey. Too bad the SO was not metric or I would have kept it.

0.01mm resolution / 10mm range

This is the model.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C15XL2/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

@Owyn

I checked the Mitutoyo base. Made in Brazil. The quality looks very good but expensive. However it does not have fine adjustments. I'm holding purchase for a Dial Indicator base in order to see more options before getting one.

Do you have a pic or link to a base with fine adjustments?

Thanks

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

Took the pic from here: http://longislandindicator.com/p28.html which incidentally gives praises to the brazilian mitu. The fine adjust is the middle spring (like those found in compass/dividers) that has a fine threaded knob.

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Did it come with extra tips? (They unscrew so you can use button shaped, pointy, convex ones or whatever. Too bad the teclock didn't have extra.) Looks like it didn't come with markers on the circumference... that is handy.

I think that'll be a good shop user. With the price, it's something you wouldn't cry too much on if gets abused. (I baby my indicator tho! =). )

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

The Mitu came with the markers etc.. and are still on the small plastic bag. Pointers are optional which I doubt are available.

What's good about having the fine adjustment on the base?

The Taiwanese base cost around 1.2K. The Mitu around 5.2K. Man that's really expensive for a base.

Can you please post a pic of your base. I don't think it's wise to spend 5.2K on the base for what use I intend for the Dial Indicator. However I will need something like the one below aside from a magnetic base. I'll probably modify a vise grip for this purpose. I have an old Alpine Goose Neck holder that might just work with such a mod.

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

The fine adjust would let you adjust the needle to any o'clock position- just thought that would be nice when you're under the car, looking at the indicator at an awkward angle. But you're right- i can live w/o it, I just align the bezel to wherever the zero settles. The fine adjust mechanism prolly reduces the rigidity of the arm also.

(FWIW, when i put the weight of my palm on the last rod, the readings move by .03mm indicating some flex in the magnetic base assembly- but i don't know if that's asking too much.)

Too bad there's no "teclock" middleground for bases- not as pricey as mitu's but better than chinese-HF-grizzly. Base i got is prolly grizzly quality. Chrome(?) plating isn't the smoothest, the magnetic base can lift this 15X15" cast iron base but will drop it when jerked.

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

That's the same one I saw for 1.2K. You got it a bit cheaper.

Here I installed the contents of the small plastic bag. The pointer accessories you mentioned could be quite useful. I might search for these after I get hold of the bases.

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

@Owyn

What do you think about this Mitu base. I'm planning to bid on this one but am not just so sure about the indicator mounting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200577457553&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Here's a new one too. Around $25 less than the amazon price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MITUTOYO-7010S-MAGNETIC-STAND-3-8-6mm-8mm-STEMS-/120686009176?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c19725b58

http://www.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-7010S-Magnetic-Stems-Switch/dp/B001OBX11E/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1298351133&sr=8-13

Thanks

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

@Owyn

What do you think about this Mitu base. I'm planning to bid on this one but am not just so sure about the indicator mounting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200577457553&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Thanks

I'm not sure but it looks incomplete. There's no way to mount the usual lugged back indicator to it.

But i guess that's easily solved by getting a bolt (and two nuts) that matches the hole size in the last arm of the base. Fastening a 2" bolt to the lug, you can use the unthreaded portion as the "male" to mount it to the hole of the base- if the hex cap/allen head's removed beforehand...

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

Maybe it will hold the indicator by the stem ?

Any way I sent the seller a question asking if any parts are missing.

tks

BTW the used Snap On DI auction same model as mine ended with a $99.35 price, shipped. Looks like I'm still ahead at the price I let mine go.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=220739108320&si=yLlampK%252B5%252B%252F6CcYKyQTbXH7bFhE%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

^You're totally right sir JayL.

Like this huh? looks good then =).

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

@Owyn

I won the bidding on the Mit stand. $37.79 shipped to my address in Illinois.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=200577457553&si=yLlampK%252B5%252B%252F6CcYKyQTbXH7bFhE%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

I sent the seller an email too about the lug back connection and here's his reply whatever that means.

"I do have a stem and sleeve to mount a lug back indicator on it. That will be sent along."

Let's see when it comes if it turns out to be a good deal. At 1,700 pesos it's still better than the price of a brand new one for around 5,400 pesos.

There's another one on auction which I was planning to bid on if I did not win the above. It's this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270709971611&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

@Owyn

I won these at Ebay today.

Mit 16-127 Vernier Caliper

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320660698840&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Mit 102-218 25-50mm Micrometers

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=220743205954&si=yLlampK%252B5%252B%252F6CcYKyQTbXH7bFhE%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

Do you know where I can buy a 25mm standard locally? Looks like the calibration standards are missing and not included.

tks

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

^ Sorry i don't know. I go to the same places as you guys, Yale, LYS, Hans, ( i don't frequent Panda that much...) Am aware "Iris commercial" sells the mitu stuff in T. Alonzo. At the philconstruct, the taiwanese booth where i got the base had standards, gauge blocks, etc...

I know this is wrong, but those momax tool bits should be pretty darn close... or dormer drill bits heh.

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oh wait...
Should you be interested, companies like http://www.apac-ats.com/ offer calibration services. When i OJT'ed during college in a semicon, everything was routinely calibrated by a company just like it. I believe if a city has a semicon factory or industrial parks, a company or two that sells measuring instruments+calibration services won't be far...

(Haven't tried this lead so far tho sir, for now it doesn't matter if my dmm reads .02V DC off from true, or if my inidicator's off by .01mm at maximum travel...)

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

I do calibrate my 0-25mm Mitu Mic myself and it's not really difficult to do as the manual is very precise. For the 25mm-50mm I will need a gauge block. I'll check out the info you gave and hope I can find one. If not I'll just go to the machine shop and calibrate it there. It would have been better if I had one though so I can check it regularly.

I'm actually putting up a set of mics for engine overhaul use so these have to be up to factory calibration specs.

Re: Precision instrument and tools.

I feel that even the quality of Japanese Made Mitutoyo is sliding a bit. Plastic parts ( lock and ratchet handle ) compared to the older ones which is all metal.

Mit 103-137 / 0-25mm Micrometer with 0.01mm resolution

http://www.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-103-137-Outside-Micrometer-Ratchet/dp/B0006J421I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=industrial&qid=1299757173&sr=8-1

If you're in the market for a 0-25mm Micrometer then hurry up. LYS hardware has one last unit on sale and it's a NOS Starrett for only 1.5K ( no manual ).

If I did not want to standardize all my precision measurement tools to Mitutoyo then I would have grabbed it myself.