Dial indicator with odd configuration

[justin1]

Just curious how an indicator configured like this would typically get used.

Thought it was a magnetic base at first when I bought it. Was gonna rob the base for using as a carriage indicator.

 

[whydontu]

I’ve seen these in fixtures as a thickness gauge.Is the dovetail adjustable?

 

[Dabbler]

It is just a typical plunge indicator with a hand advance - or that is what we called them 45 years ago.

-- use it the same as any plunge indicator

 

[Susquatch]

Rather than pull back on the plunger to slip something under them to measure, you could use the lever to pull it back and then set it gently down on the work. Faster for repetitive measurements and less likely to let the plunger slip and damage it.

 

[justin1]

I’ve seen these in fixtures as a thickness gauge.Is the dovetail adjustable?

Ye the the base part is adjustable maybe not the dovetail part it's self.

I assumed it mounted to something with a base for QCing parts or use on surface plate?

 

[trevj]

Ye the the base part is adjustable maybe not the dovetail part it's self.

I assumed it mounted to something with a base for QCing parts or use on surface plate?

More likely to have been used to do rapid inspections of product on a moving line, either as a straight measuring device, or as a plus-minus comparator (by setting the zero point at a target dimension, and gaging the product to see if it is over or under the required thickness. The two pictures in post #2 show this.

Not so much a "Inspection" tool, as a rapid gaging device that can be used quickly and easily, esp without shutting down the production facility just to check something not very critical to see if it is wandering, or as the hairy one above says, rapid, repetitive checking of otherwise same parts.

 

[justin1]

Guess that make sense, good thing is looks like it didn't get used in production environment as the anvil blueing looks untouched and the lever is same as well some rust from just sitting.