Replies

1. 
   jako17 | Dec 07, 2003 04:11pm | #1

   What you need is a Dial Test Indicator not a micrometer,also a magnetic base and gooseneck.I have found that an extra wide flat tip is also a useful accessory .The standard tip is a ball.Don't be hung up on digital, a clock guage works just fine.Mitutoyo or Starrett .IMO Mitutoyo are excellant the digital version is about 3 times the price of a analogue

2. 
   JohnWW | Dec 07, 2003 06:28pm | #2

   As Jako has already posted, the tool you saw being used was almost certainly a dial test indicator not a micrometer.  Universal magnetic bases will do the job, but for many applications a simple wooden base tailored to the specific application will be much easier to use and result in greater accuracy.

   I also would recommend against a digital indicator.  Digitals are far less intuitive and don't give you the sense of how an adjustment is moving compared to the sweep of the hand on an analog indicator. 

   By far, the most common, and most useful indicator for setting up woodworking machinery is one that reads in thousandths, .001, and has range of one inch.  While you can spend over a hundred dollars for one, a twenty dollar import will probably serve your needs.  Again, as mentioned in a previous post, you should get a flat tip for the plunger.

   John W. 

3. 
   rslatm | Dec 07, 2003 07:27pm | #3

   You can get a decent dial indicator from http://www.use-enco.com as well as other quality measuring tools without breaking the bank. No need to splurge on a Starret for the home shop or even the commercial shop. Certainly no need to spend the extra on a digital. The magnetic bases aren't suitable for most woodworking applications such as planer and jointer set-up. The one pictured here is a commercial one no longer made to set up planers, jointers and shapers. I've made them up for guys using a piece of channel and some scraps. Even a block of wood will work. The convex 1/2" button tip is a vast improvement over the standard tip. The indicator can be pointed up for feed roller and pressure bar adjustments or pointed down for bed-rolls or Jointer knife setting. The channel shape of the base allows straddling the head for knife setting on planers and jointers. The base is limited to 3" or larger diameter cutter heads. The other pic shows a small tripod indicator for smaller diameter cutter heads as well as a 6' straight edge and speed indicator from my industrial machine set up days. A dial indicator from Enco will run about $15 and the convex button tip around $5.

   
   

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   Edited 12/7/2003 12:02:45 PM ET by Rick at Arch. Timber and Millwork

   
1. 
   trialnut | Dec 07, 2003 07:44pm | #4

   I would recomend using a 1/2" button tip or a roller tip. A flat tip needs to be exactly parallel to the table to give an accurate reading. Setting a flat tip parallel is not something that can be eyeballed in. With a button tip there is only one high point no matter how it is set.The Professional Termite

1. 
   numbfinger | Dec 08, 2003 01:40am | #5

   Hey... thanks for the heads up guys.

   I was going to go for the digital, but it does make more sense to go with the dial so that the movement can be seen with the needle.

   Edited 12/7/2003 5:47:01 PM ET by petmonkey

1. 
   PaulReuter | Dec 08, 2003 01:55am | #6

   A micrometer looks kind of like a 'C' clamp & is used to measure the thickness of material to .001" & usually extrapolated to .0005".  The general consenses is that anyone using one of these to measure the thickness of wood is usually just kidding himself.

   Oh!,  if you do have one of these, please,please, please don't ever use it as a 'C' clamp,

   Paul

4. 
   Tao | Dec 08, 2003 05:25am | #7

   I don't have any use for a micrometer in woodworking, and dial indicators have been pretty well covered here.

   I do find a dial caliper handy, though, just because it's so easy to read.  I don't have any illusions about doing super precise work with wood, but a dial caliper is a lot easier to read than a tape when making small measurements.  You just have to resist the temptation to try to be more precise than is justified - or possible.

   Michael R

1. 
   jazzdogg | Dec 08, 2003 07:12am | #8

   Woodwiz,

   I agree that a dial caliper is invaluable in the workshop. I like the fractional dial caliper I bought from Highland Hardware - the fact that is shows both fractions and thousandths has helped me develop a mental image of thousandths versus 64ths.

   I can't imagine using the thickness planer or finishing sander as dimensioning tools without my dial caliper in my shop apron. Using dial calipers I can measure the width of the router bit I'll be using to mill dados, and plane my stock to a thickness that'll fit the dado every time.

   I find myself using the "probe end" of the caliper to measure depths of mortises and the "inside fingers" to measure the widths of openings as often as I use the tool to determine thicknesses.

   PaulWhether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

2. 
   UncleDunc | Dec 08, 2003 07:22am | #9

   And I would add that with the calipers, digital does make sense. There's no question about which way it's moving, since your thumb is supplying the motion. All the digits are in one place. And the mechanism is less vulnerable to grit than the rack and pinion on a dial caliper.