HF machinist's indicator and magnetic base- $14 total

[BigguyZ]

These two items are on sale with coupon. I was personally impressed with them when I got 'em...

[radhak]

what do you use the magnetic base for?

[LarryG]

That's a deal. I have the dial indicator; works great. I don't know how ultimately accurate it is, but it's very repeatable. Also, it appears virtually identical to the Chinese models that many other vendors sell for a lot more money.

The dial indicator clips into the magnetic base, the arm of which is then adjusted to hold the dial's plunger where it needs to be to take a reading. For example, stick the magnetic base to a jointer table and adjust the arm and indicator to read the knife edges on the cutterhead. Works equally well on band saw tables, drill presses, etc. (Not so useful on the aluminum table of a BT3x00, obviously ...)

[LCHIEN]

I've looked at other dial gauges from the industrial supply houses, the chinese-made ones start around $25-30 usually, name-brand (Starrett, Mitutoyo, B&S) go for over $100. I will say that for purely mechanical devices, these seem to be quite well made for hobby use anyway, I can't fault the accuracy or smoothness of operation. for $7.00 and I have several of them. I have a magnetic stand. too, I don't use it that much since my saw is a BT3 and my DP has a wooden DP table over the stock table. However the bases are also a bargain at $7 and have a magnetic lock and an adjustable arm and a fitting to match the lug on the back of standard dial gauges so that a dial gauge can be held firmly is a particular spot for repetitive meaurements.
The magnetic lock allows you, when the device is unlcoked, to place it gently or remove it easily from a ferrous (steel or iron) surface, but when locked, take quite a few pounds of force to dislodge it. The knob on the front raises or lowers the magnet to be closer or farther from the tiable top to accomplish this locking.

[Santa Clarita Len]

I Used The Magnetic Base To..........

what do you use the magnetic base for?

I bought this unit on sale several years ago when I had to check the end play on my air cooled Volkswagen engine. I attached the mag. base with the dial gauge attached, to the engine and it was a lifesaver.

[Carlos]

I've had this setup for many years. I did manage to drop it and break a knob on the stand, but otherwise working fine. The indicator is repeatable and from what I can test with calipers it is accurate. It's very useful for fine-tuning tools, such as fence adjustment to a tiny variation, and also for measuring wood flatness.

[AlanWS]

I have a bunch of those magnetic bases, and use them for featherboards (two magnets per featherboard), for holding DC hoses in place in an easily removeable way, and for holding a crossbrace to the guidepost of my HF bandsaw that gets rid of the very last trace of vibration.