Starret Dial Indicator

[crokett]

One of the tools my grandfather left me is a Starrett Dial Indicator, No 196. I've managed to figure out it is a back-plunger indicator but don't know what it is for or how to use it. He was a machinist if that helps. I'd like to be able to use it if applicable to woodworking.

Here is an ebay link with a pic of what I have but I have a very nice wood case.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Starrett-196-Dia...QQcmdZViewItem

thanks

[Thom2]

Davey,

I can't see the back of it, but from the pics it pretty much looks like a typical dial indicator. A dial indicator shows you differences in heights (or runout for a more proper term). F

or example (a good one for you too) on a jointer you would attach the dial indicator to the base and then set the base on the outfeed table and move the dial indicator until the tip is slightly compressed against the bed. At this point, take note of the reading on the indicator. Then move the base so that the tip of the indicator hits one of the knives and slightly rotate the knife to find the high spot (the indicator will gradually rise and then fall as the knife comes to it's highest point), take note of the reading and then compare to the reading you got on the outfeed table. Subtracting the outfeed reading from the knife reading will give you amount (either +/-) that the knives are high or low in comparison to the outfeed table.

Now you can use this technique to check both ends of the knives to be sure each end is at the same height (which you'll need to do when you get that jointer up and running).

A dial indicator is really nothing more than a comparison tool to compare the height of one spot to another.

HTH

[Jim Boyd]

What Thom2 said. I have 2 of that model dial indicator but I never had all of the do-dads to go with it, just a magnetic base. I used it to align my smt to the blade, setting my jointer blades, and aligning my RAS.