Aliexpress Coaxial Indicator

[neer724]

AliExpress is having their 11.11 sale - basically $5 off per $25 to a max of $20.

I found this little gem on there

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...a2g0o.cart.0.0.24a338daoryOpz&mp=1#nav-review

I don't really "need" this but thought it would a cool tool to have just in case I might need it (can never have enough tools)

Not sure I can trust the reviews on the level of accuracy or quality.

You think its worth a shot?

 

[David_R8]

I bought a similar one for $93

https://a.co/d/51zt07E

I figured if it’s crap Amazon is easier to return.
But it’s not crap, it’s actually quite good.

 

[Susquatch]

Only 5 reviews but all 5 star. Makes me suspect they hired them. If that was 50 reviews I'd be happier.

The price is amazing! Too amazing.......

I'd go for it in a heart beat if it was Amazon knowing I could return it.

But I'm very leery of metrology stuff like that on Ali without LOTS of reviews.

 

[DPittman]

I bought a similar one for $93

https://a.co/d/51zt07E

I figured if it’s crap Amazon is easier to return.
But it’s not crap, it’s actually quite good.

I too bought one off Amazon and am very pleased with it. I paid $97 and now I see it is $197!
HFS (R) Coaxial Centering Indicator Co-Ax Precision Milling Machine Test Dial CNC https://a.co/d/fuaTcSY

The Aliexpress deal is very tempting.

 

[David_R8]

Only 5 reviews but all 5 star. Makes me suspect they hired them. If that was 50 reviews I'd be happier.

The price is amazing! Too amazing.......

I'd go for it in a heart beat if it was Amazon knowing I could return it.

But I'm very leery of metrology stuff like that on Ali without LOTS of reviews.

The one I posted has 142 reviews.

 

[Susquatch]

The one I posted has 142 reviews.

Yes, MUCH more reliable.

 

[Tom Kitta]

I have almost identical one from ali - very good - I used it like 100 times+. No issues.

 

[PeterT]

I will cast the 'save your money' vote, and that is hard to say coming from a Tool guy haha. I had one, actually make that two - a bad Chinese copy & an actual Blake. By the time you get it mounted, make 6" of headroom to accommodate the inconveniently long body, screw in the right indicator arm, hold the side arm while powering the machine on low rpm, fiddling the XY table feeds wheels until the dancing needle stops.... you could have an DTI tell you the same thing & probably well on your way to machining. And if you need to measure to a tenth, you bolt on a tenth DTI.

For typical holes / centering 0-2" I use my DTI with dovetail post included in the kit. For anything bigger, I use mini Noga arm which can set up to any surface within seconds.

BTW, Stefan just posted a very neat indicator with some interesting features (drawings available). His usual weapon of choice is the C-arm type, lowest pic.

 

[neer724]

Thanks for all the input guys.....

I decided to get one - let's see if it works in a few weeks.....

 

[whydontu]

I have one of these, it’s probably good for +/-0.001” without too much effort. Quite handy for getting my rotary table lined up on the mill, and really good for getting my lathe tailstock aligned.

 

[Susquatch]

His usual weapon of choice is the C-arm type, lowest pic.

I'll have to see one of these to know why he likes it.

 

[Mcgyver]

has any one checked them out, i.e. mount something something known to be round, dial it in, then remove the coaxial indicator, then mount an DTI indicator in the spindle as Peter shows and check the same item? A coax is a great convenience, I use mine all the time, but it introduces a source of error not present when using a DTI directly as Peter shows; is more of a pain but the best approach to get the highest accuracy..

Its just a question of how how much is that error, i.e. if it is small enough for the tolerance you're working to, all is good. That imo is the go/no go test on whether a coax is good or not in that if there was error in the coax, its going to be between its rotation (it is a spindle) and the nub you mount in the mill's spindle.

 

[Susquatch]

has any one checked them out, i.e. mount something something known to be round, dial it in, then remove the coaxial indicator, then mount an DTI indicator in the spindle as Peter shows and check the same item? A coax is a great convenience, I use mine all the time, but it introduces a source of error not present when using a DTI directly as Peter shows; is more of a pain but the best approach to get the highest accuracy..

Its just a question of how how much is that error, i.e. if it is small enough for the tolerance you're working to, all is good. That imo is the go/no go test on whether a coax is good or not in that if there was error in the coax, its going to be between its rotation (it is a spindle) and the nub you mount in the mill's spindle.

One of my unfinished projects is a custom 3 axis tramming tool (all three axis at once). I had planned to make something similar to the co-ax indicator to facilitate that, but since I have a co-ax indicator already, if it works why go to extra trouble.

It won't be soon, but winter project time is here. I'll follow along and see if anyone comments. If not, it will just take a little longer to get you an answer..... LOL!

 

[neer724]

Well that was fast - the indicator arrived on Tues - took 7 days.

Haven't had a chance to play with it yet but will post pics\video once I get around to playing with....