33 replies to this topic

[Carlos W]

I'm accumulating things I need for my engine rebuild and I'm looking at DTIs on eBay. There seems to be a massive range available. 

 

Can someone link me to one they've used please?

[ACDodd]

You get what you pay for. Stick to name brands draper sealey etc. Aim for imperial I prefer the 0-1 inch range of measurement for engine building. While prefer the metric 12mm travel version for machine tool

Ac

Edited by ACDodd, 26 March 2016 - 09:23 AM.

[ukcooper]

MITUTOYO - are rated n engine production engineering machine shops.

Metric - http://www.ebay.co.u...LQAAOSwGotWisY1

Imperial - http://www.ebay.co.u...AgAAOSwwE5WX5yl

To test if there working ok push the probe in and just let it go it should return to the same place on the dial, if it don't its fubar.

[AndyR]

I have a Moore and Wright 0-1" (0.01") indicator, and am very happy with it.  My view is you get what you pay for when it comes to measuring / precision tools.  Maybe its just me but i couldnt sleep at night knowing my engine was put together relying on a 10quid dial indicator. 

[MRA]

I have to say draper and sealey are NOT named brands in the world of fine measurement....

 

Ebay is a good place to find good used DTI's

 

Verdict

Baty,

Mitatoyo

Mercer

Starrett

Moore and Wright (Wilson Wolpert)

Bowers

Sylvac

 

These are recomended DTi's because you will get accuracy and repeatability

 

Draper and sealey ?  They are cheap and nasty and not that reliable.

[alex-95]

I got a mitutoyo one from here http://uk.farnell.co...i-bf9f-00001000. I think it's the same as the above just a bit cheaper.

[ACDodd]

MRA draper and sealey are certainly not high end tools. For what Carlos is looking for in his needs these are more than good enough. Most Diy individuals cannot stretch to baty, verdict or mitutoyo. Second hand measuring equipment also needs checking. I have thrown away many quality brand names because of wear in the past. There is a reason people sell used equipment and that's not just because its not needed anymore.

Ac

Edited by ACDodd, 26 March 2016 - 12:03 PM.

[Van13]

Starrett for me excellent quality

[MRA]

http://www.ebay.co.u...sd=201546359244

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...sd=141933452841

 

The difference is good makes have jewels at the pivots unlike cheaper makes which do not, so a cheaper brand like draper or sealey will be fine the first time you use it, but due to internal leverage forces will soon go out of true and start to give non linear displacements.

[MRA]

MRA draper and sealey are certainly not high end tools. For what Carlos is looking for in his needs these are more than good enough. Most Diy individuals cannot stretch to baty, verdict or mitutoyo. Second hand measuring equipment also needs checking. I have thrown away many quality brand names because of wear in the past. There is a reason people sell used equipment and that's not just because its not needed anymore.

Ac

Really ?  you throw away quality brands ?? I have upwards of 30 DTi's some as old as 70 years and every year they get sent away for calibration and every year they come back with a calibration certificate, all within BSi spec for measuring equipment of this nature.

I sent off 4 draper DTi's and guess what ?  none passed, all had non linear errors that took them outside the spec,

 

And people have various reasons for selling stuff, it could be the owner retirement from the industry, a death, or simply that they have no need for the item and would rather have the money..... 

 

if you want smooth repeatable accuracy choose a good second hand proper brand

 

There is a reason why draper and sealey are cheap......

Edited by MRA, 26 March 2016 - 12:34 PM.

[ACDodd]

MRA I am not arguing with you here, its just that for the use this individual needs it for pretty much any name brand on ebay will be more than good enough. If the question was I need a gauge to be able to accurately, quickly and repeatedly measure to national standards then my answer would have been different.

Ac

[dklawson]

I am a firm supporter of "good used" instruments.  That's what all my gauges are.  One of my DTIs (a Federal) was last calibrated in the 1960s which I got when a lab was being decommissioned.  It still checks well on the bench (compared to the table on my mill) and has served me well.  In short, there is a lot of good value in second hand name brand instruments.

[ACDodd]

Only if you have the means to check does used make sense.

Ac

[MRA]

Only if you have the means to check does used make sense.

Ac

 

You can have your opinion, that is your right, however it is my right to disagree...

 

I have to have my measuring equipment calibrated, and like Doug my used some as old as 70 years old are never any issue, calibration does not include adjustment that is something else entirely.

 

Draper and sealey are not good brands, they offer cheap tools for the DIY'er but often the materials and method of manufacture will not permit a long life and repeated use, my points is quite simple and most appear to agree with me........

 

1) Buy decent buy once.

2) Buy proper branded DTi and get good repeatable service

3) Made of proper materials and using gem stone bearings for even longer accurate life.

4) and to cap it off a good second hand DTi can be bought for a similar price as the cheapo nasty brands.

 

Anyone wants to trial a cheapo DTi push the plunger and release, now set the bezel to zero, then push the plunger and release several times to see if it returns to zero (the bezel can be rotated to the initial zero point)

 

Whilst also feeling how smooth the action is, it should be smooth not rough and lumpy...

 

If you choose to use a cheaper brand then don't be surprised when you get different results.

[ACDodd]

mra I did not say they were good, I said they were name brands. Someone who needs to use the gauge to earn a living needs a quality product. If you want to check the cam timing on an engine or check the run out on a cam sprocket cheapest item is going to do the job. Especially when its a one time use item. Without wishing to get drawn into an argument we shall agree to disagree and this is my last post on this thread.



Ac

Edited by ACDodd, 26 March 2016 - 03:48 PM.