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.

 

[ontariometal]

Thanks for the replies.
Are these setups still usable these days or have they become obsolete with digital electronic setups?

 

[skippyelwell]

Thanks for the replies.
Are these setups still usable these days or have they become obsolete with digital electronic setups?

Not at all, digital gauges measure with great accuracy but a lot of projects don't require such fine tolerances.
I keep the digital calipers for those situations but the vernier and dial calipers are the ones I use the most.

 

[LenVW]

Not at all, digital gauges measure with great accuracy but a lot of projects don't require such fine tolerances.
I keep the digital calipers for those situations but the vernier and dial calipers are the ones I use the most.

Correct.
Digital gauges are also subject to static interference which can cause ‘jumps’ in readings (use grounding leads to minimize).
A vernier or mechanical dial indicator is a go to metrology tool.

 

[Susquatch]

Are these setups still usable these days or have they become obsolete with digital electronic setups?

The best of the best of the psst were made before digital and they are all better than I am.

Personally, I don't find that digital can really replace analog. They each have their place. For example, I cannot imagine looking at a digital display that would tell me more than the moving needle of a really good dial test indicator.

 

[Dabbler]

I use digital measuring for convenience, especially larger displays. I echo @Susquatch - on mechanical test indicators... they are the 'ult' for accurate everyday work.

For the very most accurate measurements, digital strain gauge indicators and laser inferometry give measurements far beyond what most amateur machinists care about.

 

[ChazzC]

Not at all, digital gauges measure with great accuracy but a lot of projects don't require such fine tolerances.
I keep the digital calipers for those situations but the vernier and dial calipers are the ones I use the most.

Correct.
Digital gauges are also subject to static interference which can cause ‘jumps’ in readings (use grounding leads to minimize).
A vernier or mechanical dial indicator is a go to metrology tool.

The best of the best of the psst were made before digital and they are all better than I am.

Personally, I don't find that digital can really replace analog. They each have their place. For example, I cannot imagine looking at a digital display that would tell me more than the moving needle of a really good dial test indicator.

I use digital measuring for convenience, especially larger displays. I echo @Susquatch - on mechanical test indicators... they are the 'ult' for accurate everyday work.

For the very most accurate measurements, digital strain gauge indicators and laser inferometry give measurements far beyond what most amateur machinists care about.

Digital calipers, and if more accuracy is needed mechanical micrometers. I have one digital “dial” (drop) indicator (seldom used, don’t keep a battery in it), multiple analog drop indicators.

All of my dial test indicators are analog; I guess I could set up the digital drop indicator like this (yes, upside down so the arm swings in the correct direction for most setup), but why?

It's more fun using this:

 

[Mcgyver]

Are these setups still usable these days or have they become obsolete with digital electronic setups?

Digital holds two advantages imo, easy to set to zero and easy to work in imperial or metric. No advantage accuracy wise that I can think of and a disadvantage in that you don't get the movement of the hand. That is very nice for some things were you are just comparing, like aligning a vise. You see the hand move as you go and know where it is vs reading and calculating a bunch of digits. Where I like a digital indicator, tenths, is as a temporary cross slide DRO.

Have a look at the Starrett 665, the larger bits and pieces serve the same function as what some of yours do. Makes it either a comparator or a base for use on a table or surface plate (like a surface gauge) No idea of all the bits there were part of a kit, but it does have a lot of accessories that would be useful.

How smoothly does it work? If not so smooth, the usual issue is grunge (don't oil your indicators) making things sticky, or more rarely a cracked jewel, The later is more involved, but I've fixed them by replacing the jewel with a miniature ball bearing.

 

[Downwindtracker2]

I found electronic digital calipers handy. I would pickup something and wonder is it imperial or metric, that is where the easy to push button saved steps walking over to the chart on the wall. Did I trust the number ? Nay.

 

[LenVW]

I found electronic digital calipers handy. I would pickup something and wonder is it imperial or metric, that is where the easy to push button saved steps walking over to the chart on the wall. Did I trust the number ? Nay.

I agree, my digital calipers gets used more than a tape measure.
Big display of inch or mm !!

 

[Downwindtracker2]

Mine was called a called Blindman's. chuckle. Every time I went to use it I would have to change the battery . The numbers went funny. I have good Mitituyo now, but it's safe in a drawer. Not nearly as handy.

 

[ChazzC]

Mine was called a called Blindman's. chuckle. Every time I went to use it I would have to change the battery . The numbers went funny. I have good Mitituyo now, but it's safe in a drawer. Not nearly as handy.

Ised to keep my Mitutoyo in a drawe: now it is my daily user.