Tool Identifying this dial indicator

[ontariometal]

I picked this up and am not sure what kind of dial indicator it is. The dial is federal but no makers mark on any of the other pieces

 

[Dabbler]

yes it is an older Federal. Common before the WWII to only brand the dial.

 

[ontariometal]

Ok. Is it a specific type of indicator or it just has all the various blocks and attachments for different applications.

 

[Mcgyver]

Federal are imo very good indicators and are well made. I would expect that it is jewelled, all the ones I've worked on were. Long Island dumps on them, but I think their views are influenced by other factors.

It looks rough, needs the crystal polished, but how does it work?

 

[LenVW]

Looks like it is a ‘Federal Mogul’.
At least that was the brand line in the late 1990s.

American company in the automotive and aeronautics industry.

Jeff Joslin with this group maybe able to help . . .

VintageMachinery.org | Welcome

 

[Lucky7]

Thanks for this thread. Kinda wondered why a mentor from years ago had all Federal indicators, some of which I bought from his estate sale. Being an NDT expert in the RCAF, and later in private work for airlines around the world may have influenced his purchasing or where he got equipment second hand.

From my limited experience, agree with Mcgyver, the ones I have from my mentor are excellent.

 

[skippyelwell]

This is one of my Dad's Federal indicators that was passed down to me, very accurate. The crystal is some kind of clear acetate, I thought about trying to polish the yellow out but don't want to take the risk of screwing it up.

 

[Dabbler]

Use PolyWatch and a clean soft cloth to refinish the surface of your acrylic crystal. There are a bunch of youtube examples on how to do this. (there are other brands, but PW is the leader and what is recommended for beginners)

 

[Upnorth]

This is one of my Dad's Federal indicators that was passed down to me, very accurate. The crystal is some kind of clear acetate, I thought about trying to polish the yellow out but don't want to take the risk of screwing it up.

The dial on that one actually looks pretty good. I have polished a few that were so cloudy the numbers could not be read. I used to use mirror glaze. Now I use some stuff that we use to polish airplanes at work. It does not work better than mirror glaze it just lasts a lot longer. I can't remember the name on the bottle. I have never seen these products do any damage but sometimes the results are excellent other times just ok.