Skip,
I'll give you my opinion, and there will definitely be others but...
I like a mechanical, it is easier to see "runout" , and interpret
direction.
It is very helpful to have at least 1/2" of travel.
Graduations of .001" are more than adequate for automotive purposes.
I am fond of my Mitutoyo gage, that has the ability to "zero" the reading
by rotating the shaft, not just by rotating the dial "face". This makes
it easy to set the gage in place, and zero without disturbing your
careful positioning.
A magnetic base is essential, get a decent one. They can be had for 15 to
30.
A good assortment of tips is not extensive, a spherical tip, a long flat
tip, and a small point, should cover most any "sitch".
Depending on where you look, a "good" gage can cost 150 or more, but you
could find it for less.
YMMV
Just my .02 worth, Cheers,
Mark Riddle
On Fri, 14 Mar 2003 10:32:00 -0600 Skip Montanaro <skip@pobox.com>
writes:
> I've been reading through a lot of back issues of triumphs-digest and
> 6pack
> messages (still have about 4500 to go), and all the discussion about
> worn
> thrust washers, round cam lobes, etc, has me thinking I should
> invest in a
> dial indicator, even if I don't intend to do any serious internal
> engine
> work myself. Can someone knowledgable on the subject expound on the
> basics
> of dial indicators? Some obvious questions come to my mind:
>
> * what's a useful range (or ranges) for measurements on and
> around our
> Triumph engines?
>
> * how is a dial indicator stabilized when performing
> measurements?
>
> * mechanical or electronic?
>
> * reasonable price?
>
> * accessories?
>
> Thanks,
>
> --
> Skip Montanaro
> skip@pobox.com
> http://www.musi-cal.com/
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