Easy indicating method

[Mook]

My favourite quick go to solution for everday use - bore, face. & outside diameter.

[DIYer]

Thanks Mook! We've added your Easy Indicating Method to our Measuring and Marking category,
as well as to your builder page: Mook's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Easy Indicating Method by Mook

tags: dial indicator, indicator holder, tailstock

[nova_robotics]

That's awesome. I'd use that.

What kind of dial indicator is that? You're just moving the contact point around. I've never seen that before.

[Occasional machinist]

What kind of dial indicator is that? You're just moving the contact point around. I've never seen that before.

If you are talking about the one that Mook is using, they are called Dial Test Indicators (DTI). Most of the makers have them (Mitutoyo, Starrett, etc). They only have a limited range though

[Mook]

That's awesome. I'd use that.

What kind of dial indicator is that? You're just moving the contact point around. I've never seen that before.

The indicator shown in the video is a Verdict T8, which I’ve been using for nearly 30 years. These models come with integrated pivoting spigots and usually offer a total travel range of about 1mm. Recently, I picked up an Insize 2480-16, which also has an integrated pivoting spigot, this one positioned at 90 degrees to the dial face, and it offers a much larger travel range of 4mm.
I haven’t come across any other brands that include an integrated pivoting spindle, which I’ve found essential for this style of indicating. On the Insize model, I swapped the original round spigot for a hexagonal one so it would fit my quick-release holder. This setup magnetically clamps to my CNC mill spindle and keeps the indicator stylus always moving toward the spindle’s centerline ( essential for small holes ).
With the Verdict model, when mounted in a drill chuck on a milling machine, it naturally aligns with the machine’s centerline and has sufficient swing to effectively tram the table.
I’m by no means an expert, but I’ve spent a fair bit of time exploring different indicator setups. If you’re interested in this kind of thing, there are a few other unique solutions I’ve shared on my channel that might be helpful.

[nova_robotics]

The indicator shown in the video is a Verdict T8, which I’ve been using for nearly 30 years. These models come with integrated pivoting spigots and usually offer a total travel range of about 1mm. Recently, I picked up an Insize 2480-16, which also has an integrated pivoting spigot, this one positioned at 90 degrees to the dial face, and it offers a much larger travel range of 4mm.
I haven’t come across any other brands that include an integrated pivoting spindle, which I’ve found essential for this style of indicating.

That's spectacular. I've mushed a few dial indicators on my CNC machines because I've overtraveled them when I wasn't paying attention with the MPG. Excellent work by the way, I'm going to subscribe to your channel.