Dial indicator- best value/ quality

[Ottmundr]

I strongly prefer analog, especially if buying used. I have a couple vernier calipers that will hold their accuracy until the end of time essentially because there’s nothing to move or fail on them. I guarantee they are as accurate as any dial or digital model, though a little slower to use.

And nobody wants to "borrow" vernier tools.

 

[mopowers]

Lots of cams have been degreed with cheap offshore dial indicators.

 

[mbaird]

Lots of cams have been degreed with cheap offshore dial indicators.

I have 2 that are inop.
Granted I have had them for years but they don’t get used often .
I ordered a Shars

 

[ch1ll]

Ok… the Shars looks promising.
Any drawbacks to a digital vs analog one ?

Just saw AZaustins post about digital drawbacks

Yes, IF you work in a dirty and dusty environment, it will negatively impact the optical scale on anything digital. Just like any thing with a rack and pinion gear. All you guys with dial calipers, keep the jaws closed between measurements and in the box when not in use. Big faced indicators to a lesser extent cause they have a dust seal around the plunger, at least the good ones do.

 

[fishmens67]

Besides I will use this once a year

Then you want the best for that one measurement

 

[RustyRatRod]

Ok… the Shars looks promising.
Any drawbacks to a digital vs analog one ?

Just saw AZaustins post about digital drawbacks

Yeah, when the batteries leak in the digitals ones and ruin it all to hell and back.

 

[Ottmundr]

Yeah, when the batteries leak in the digitals ones and ruin it all to hell and back.

Digital is for guys who pee sitting down.

 

[gzig5]

Digital is for guys who pee sitting down.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Digital is for guys who pee sitting down.

 

[fishmens67]

Digital is for guys who pee sitting down.

I like watching the second hand on my wrist watch.

 

[ESP47]

I'm sure they're Chinese but I've had very good luck with anything I've bought from the WEN brand. They're about $15 on Amazon.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I have one indicator that's an old Central I got when HF first opened in Macon in the 90s some time. It has always read SPOT ON with an older Starrett I have. Nice and smooth too. I don't even pay attention to which one I grab because either is just as good. Same with their dial calipers.

 

[mbaird]

Digital is for guys who pee sitting down.

I don’t like to turn the bathroom light on at night to aim and also don’t want to hear a woman screaming at me when she sits down so I sit at night .. lol

 

[33IMP]

Kinda off topic, but if I don't lock the bathroom door, I have to pee sitting down....... or pee on a German shepherds head! They're curious, and not real bright.

 

[crackedback]

Some of this about accuracy is similar to the discussion I had with a vendor about MSD bushings being CNC'd vs hillbilly lathed.

If you miss by .001, so what, the human error to time the engine, put that line EXACTLY at the same spot has more variance than the .001-.002 the bushing will ever cause. The discussion ended quickly!

Most of the stuff we do will be fine with any number of dial indicators, even cam timing. I don't use digital indicators to degree, dial only and that trusty accurate coat hanger pointer. If you move your head enough, you can get whatever reading you are really looking for!

 

[Woody500]

I strongly prefer analog, especially if buying used. I have a couple vernier calipers that will hold their accuracy until the end of time essentially because there’s nothing to move or fail on them. I guarantee they are as accurate as any dial or digital model, though a little slower to use.

Yes, very accurate, you can tell to less than a thousandth, when lines barely off, but getting too hard to see the hash marks on the original Vernier type, so I use dial now.
Digital is handy tho, as you can use it to give you a metric readout, when needed, even if seldom used. Never had one , but friend did, & needed it for that occasionally.
Never used a digital dial indicator.