The Ford Barn

Rubatoguy · 04-02-2013, 02:28 AM

I am looking for suggestions for a dial indicator and cylinder bore micrometer.
Anyone have any suggestions?

thanks,
Todd

Mike V. Florida · 04-02-2013, 02:38 AM

How often are you going to use it? Maybe rent them.

Eastwood;
Dial Type Cylinder Bore Gauge Kit 2-6in Range Item #46281 60.00

Auto Zone has dial indicators and magnetic bases.

ctlikon0712 · 04-02-2013, 03:38 AM

If you aren’t going to check cylinder bores professionally you could get away with a Mitutoyo, Starrett, or Brown and Sharp set of telescoping gauges and then use an appropriately sized Outside Diameter Mic. Be sure to use a piston in the bore to keep the gauge square in the bore in the Z or depth direction. Then all you have to worry about is getting in in the center or largest part of the bore, lock or synch it down and then measure with the Mic.
Professionally you'd want a set of Bore gages and the nicest set I’ve ever used were Brown and Sharp, The UK Co. Lufkin made a nice set also.
Any of the major brand travel indicators are good and get you close enough for most jobs whether you are using a magnetic base or a depth bar attachment.
My experience is in production defense and aerospace machine shops, not engine shops so experience differs with the environment.
Give us more details of what you plan and we could be more specific.

James Rogers · 04-02-2013, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubatoguy

I am looking for suggestions for a dial indicator and cylinder bore micrometer.
Anyone have any suggestions?

thanks,
Todd

Todd, try this seller. I use tools from here and they are good.

http://stores.ebay.com/Discount-Machine-Shop?_rdc=1

Kevin in NJ · 04-02-2013, 05:58 AM

FWIW, I got a set of low cost telescoping gauges and found they are worthless. They were made of brass and the barrels indented easily causing them to not move smoothly and want to take certain positions.

Terry, NJ · 04-02-2013, 09:33 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Much has been said about bore mikes. but you asked about indicators too. There are two basic types, the "Feather" type, also called the "last word" and the long travel indicator. For automotive work, I think this is the type you will find most useful. A Starrett "Last Word" only has a total travel of .030." While a long travel indicator has a travel of perhaps 1.000" I see good ones in the flea market all the time for $15-20.

Fordors · 04-02-2013, 09:57 AM

Stick with a name brand for sure, and in this case I would not recommend an eBay purchase of used tools. Having the micrometer or indicator in hand and checking it is of the utmost importance, but at the same time a novice with precision tools will not know what to look or check for. It just may be better to borrow tools from a fellow hobbiest, or if one has to, pay for a pro to check your components.
Accurately using an inside micrometer is definitely an "acquired trait".

CarlG · 04-02-2013, 10:31 AM

I've had pretty good luck in buying precision measuring tools on eBay. You do have to know what you are looking for. The ones I have bought are Starrett & Mitutoyo, all great quality. The Mitutoyo even had a current calibration sticker on it.

Special Coupe Frank · 04-02-2013, 10:59 AM

I like Starrett.

What sort of measuring are you doing: precision machine work, or just trying to determine whether parts on hand have been machined over/undersize ?

If you're doing precision machine work, you want "the best", which would be either brand new Starrett or brand new Browne & Sharpe.

If you're just checking old parts, then budget stuff would probably be okay.

04-02-2013, 02:28 AM	#1
Rubatoguy Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Oregon City Posts: 47	Tool suggestion needed - micrometers I am looking for suggestions for a dial indicator and cylinder bore micrometer. Anyone have any suggestions? thanks, Todd

04-02-2013, 02:38 AM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Tool suggestion needed - micrometers How often are you going to use it? Maybe rent them. Eastwood; Dial Type Cylinder Bore Gauge Kit 2-6in Range Item #46281 60.00 Auto Zone has dial indicators and magnetic bases. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

04-02-2013, 03:38 AM	#3
ctlikon0712 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,609	Re: Tool suggestion needed - micrometers If you aren’t going to check cylinder bores professionally you could get away with a Mitutoyo, Starrett, or Brown and Sharp set of telescoping gauges and then use an appropriately sized Outside Diameter Mic. Be sure to use a piston in the bore to keep the gauge square in the bore in the Z or depth direction. Then all you have to worry about is getting in in the center or largest part of the bore, lock or synch it down and then measure with the Mic. Professionally you'd want a set of Bore gages and the nicest set I’ve ever used were Brown and Sharp, The UK Co. Lufkin made a nice set also. Any of the major brand travel indicators are good and get you close enough for most jobs whether you are using a magnetic base or a depth bar attachment. My experience is in production defense and aerospace machine shops, not engine shops so experience differs with the environment. Give us more details of what you plan and we could be more specific. __________________ Wanted: Simmons Super Power Head Craig Likon 1931 150B

04-02-2013, 05:58 AM	#5
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Tool suggestion needed - micrometers FWIW, I got a set of low cost telescoping gauges and found they are worthless. They were made of brass and the barrels indented easily causing them to not move smoothly and want to take certain positions.

04-02-2013, 09:33 AM	#6
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: Tool suggestion needed - micrometers Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Much has been said about bore mikes. but you asked about indicators too. There are two basic types, the "Feather" type, also called the "last word" and the long travel indicator. For automotive work, I think this is the type you will find most useful. A Starrett "Last Word" only has a total travel of .030." While a long travel indicator has a travel of perhaps 1.000" I see good ones in the flea market all the time for $15-20.

04-02-2013, 09:57 AM	#7
Fordors Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orland Park,IL Posts: 1,402	Re: Tool suggestion needed - micrometers Stick with a name brand for sure, and in this case I would not recommend an eBay purchase of used tools. Having the micrometer or indicator in hand and checking it is of the utmost importance, but at the same time a novice with precision tools will not know what to look or check for. It just may be better to borrow tools from a fellow hobbiest, or if one has to, pay for a pro to check your components. Accurately using an inside micrometer is definitely an "acquired trait".

04-02-2013, 10:31 AM	#8
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Tool suggestion needed - micrometers I've had pretty good luck in buying precision measuring tools on eBay. You do have to know what you are looking for. The ones I have bought are Starrett & Mitutoyo, all great quality. The Mitutoyo even had a current calibration sticker on it. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

04-02-2013, 10:59 AM	#9
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: Tool suggestion needed - micrometers I like Starrett. What sort of measuring are you doing: precision machine work, or just trying to determine whether parts on hand have been machined over/undersize ? If you're doing precision machine work, you want "the best", which would be either brand new Starrett or brand new Browne & Sharpe. If you're just checking old parts, then budget stuff would probably be okay.