Tool suggestion needed - micrometers
- Thread starter Rubatoguy
- Start date
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
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.
Eastwood;
Dial Type Cylinder Bore Gauge Kit 2-6in Range Item #46281 60.00
Auto Zone has dial indicators and magnetic bases.
ctlikon0712
Well-known member
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.
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
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
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.
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".
Accurately using an inside micrometer is definitely an "acquired trait".
Special Coupe Frank
Well-known member
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.
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.