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- From: Lawrence London <lfljvenaura@gmail.com>
- To: machinist@lists.ibiblio.org
- Subject: [machinist] Most convenient indicator for mill
- Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 13:16:55 -0500
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/most-convenient-indicator-mill-275578/
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- May 2013
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Most convenient indicator for mill
I'm currently using a magnetic base type indicator, but it's very inconvenient most of the time and the magnet always slides around, and tightening all the knobs on the stem get to be a real pain.
So I'm looking for a convenient, preferebly all-in-one, indicator. I'm thinking one that will fit in a collet (or has an R8 shank but I've never seen one of those). I was looking at the blake co-axial indicators, but will those work for aligning vices or rotary tables and such? Or just for centering holes?
I was also looking into getting one of those "3D edge finders" that run about $450, which also double as an indicator. Like this one:
Haimer Universal 3D Sensor - Inch - Amazon.com
But I'm a little concerned about the actual convenience of it, etc.-
11-21-2013, 11:56 AM #2
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I have 2 of the Haimers. Pretty nice and useful for many things. I use one for each vmc for fixture/tool offsets. But it's not ideal for every situation. I still use my other indicators for certain things.(Still use my top hat edge finder when I need to get under overhangs)
Once you set the haimer in a collet and adjust it for runout, you want to leave it in that collet/machine forever. Or you have to adjust it everytime it's used somewhere else. -
11-21-2013, 12:10 PM #3
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These small universal bases are made by various companies not just starett, but I like my Starett because the version I bought was all steel. This base combined with a dial test indicator (finger dial), is extremely versatile. One knob tightens all the pivto points and no dicking around sticking something in the collet.
Originally Posted by Econdron
I'm currently using a magnetic base type indicator, but it's very inconvenient most of the time and the magnet always slides around, and tightening all the knobs on the stem get to be a real pain.
So I'm looking for a convenient, preferebly all-in-one, indicator. I'm thinking one that will fit in a collet (or has an R8 shank but I've never seen one of those). I was looking at the blake co-axial indicators, but will those work for aligning vices or rotary tables and such? Or just for centering holes?
I was also looking into getting one of those "3D edge finders" that run about $450, which also double as an indicator. Like this one:
Haimer Universal 3D Sensor - Inch - Amazon.com
But I'm a little concerned about the actual convenience of it, etc.
The Co-Axs are predominantly for holes. -
11-21-2013, 12:14 PM #4
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Interapid 312B - $280
Indicol 178 - $42
Starrett 827B - $31
That leaves you with about $100 beer money.
JR -
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11-21-2013, 12:29 PM #7
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11-21-2013, 12:35 PM #8
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So that's what they are called... Any idea who sells that type of edge finder? The fischer model is way too big. Originally Posted by Alloy Mcgraw
....(Still use my top hat edge finder when I need to get under overhangs)
in regards to the OPs question: I have an indicol and love it. it fits an R8 spindle and many of the cat40 holders I deal with at work. I also have one of those zero finders that uses a screw as a fine adjust. Together with my B&S best test tenths indicator, finding center takes a very short amount of time. -
11-21-2013, 12:44 PM #10
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I was going to do a 'Here let me google that for you'... but that might be a bit rude. Please look it up yourself... you will find plenty of descriptions. Originally Posted by Econdron
Sorry, I'm a newbie to machining. What do you mean "runout"?
Here is one: GD&T Total Runout Definition | eMachineShop
It is one of the basic measurements you will be doing with your indicator so read as much as you can about it.
-DU- -
The haimer is a nice unit. Worth the $$. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat.
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- [machinist] Most convenient indicator for mill, Lawrence London, 11/21/2013
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