I have several precision dial indicators. Some are really more precise than I need.

What a I really need is a longer stem rod so that they are easier for me to set up, reach into holes etc.

I have a Mititoyo B&S and Interapid. With the understanding that doubling the length cuts the measuring precision in half can I buy, borrow steal or make a longer stem that will work.
Thanks in advance

You can buy longer stems, or buy a long stem indicator.

thanks .
I would like to have a 2.5 inch reach and I don't see any stems that long.

idk were to buy longer, but i'd just buy TWO chinesium dial indicator, and make a stem for it, to prove the concept --
turn it, harden the tip and then

using the first one, i'd tear it down, pull the stem, and learn how it comes together (should be easy enough)

make a longer stem

test the unchanged one on a setup, looking for tolerence

then use the one i modified, in the same setup, to see if it meaningfully changed

I would be looking to prove that a longer rod, with the same travel, would have a different result -- as it's single axis travel, without any torque moment, i doubt the reduce precision posit

I THINK the OP was asking about what I would call the telescoping type indicator..in which case, yes, making a longer stem should be pretty staraight forward..Maybe the OP would clarify

Those a really good Ideas. I think I'll experiment with a chinesium one . The stem appears to thread out. just have to figure out how to thread that small.

The chinese will be metric. I suppose.

I also suppose the stem would have to be anealed threaded and then hardened.

Thank you for the idea's.
off to the races.
Ernest

Duane raises a good point. Are you talking about a dial test indicator or a drop point indicator?

Damn Sam!

I have a drawer full of those rods in my shop.

Problem is I can't get in there now due to being crippled in the legs.

The only guy I trust in there is working 6/10 hour days again.

George

MSC Direct has quite a few contact points. Some, especially SPI brand, are reasonably priced.

MSC contact points

If you are just trying to "zero" you can indeed add a long tip to a standard test indicator but beware....

It changes the arithmetic on the arc swing of the tip and whatever your standard test indicator reads it will be incorrect

quote:

posted Mar 29, 7:47 PM Hide Post
MSC Direct has quite a few contact points. Some, especially SPI brand, are reasonably priced.

MSC contact points

Thank you! the long Interapid contact point is exactly what I was looking for .

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
If you are just trying to "zero" you can indeed add a long tip to a standard test indicator but beware....

It changes the arithmetic on the arc swing of the tip and whatever your standard test indicator reads it will be incorrect

good Lord Trigonometry!! About 1/2 a century ago. With the help of the internet it looks like going from a 1.0 inch probe to a 2.75 inch probe would decrease the angle of movement by 2.75 X ? An indicator that is .0001 inch sensitive would only be roughly .0003 in sensitive/precise which is much more precise tolerance than I can machine to? is this correct?

You just knock yourself out....

I've told you that yes you can screw on a longer tip and in the flip side of that you can screw on a shorter tip with a test indicator engineered to be longer.

Both will read incorrect