Dial Calipers Exposed!

Ever wonder what goes on inside your dial calipers? Here's a complete break down with looks under a microscope at the various parts.
Dial Caliper Repair a quick Do-It-Yourself guide at Long Island Indicator Repair Service...excellent reading!
www.longislandi...

[@JoeLaFon3]

Really good information here, thank you. My only criticism is the background music is very bad and distracting. I'd actually rather no music than this. But that's just a preference and not enough to keep me from watching 👍

[@paulspencer153]

I used two screwdrivers to pry off the hand needle indicator. The tension in the spring clip holding it made the needle fly off to somewhere in my workshop. Todate I still have not found it, and that was 4 years ago. Any ideas where I could get a replacement, maybe use a second hand off an old watch but not successsful so far

[@JoeLaFon3]

You'd either find a similar model for parts or ask the manufacturer

[@MakinSumthinFromNuthin]

I would love to see you build your own indicator, you have the knowledge & skill set as a clockmaker. Never done before on youtube

[@robertt-cs8fe]

Actually that could be fun if for some reason I needed a one off adaptation of a dial indicator of some type. So much fun stuff and so little time!

[@404Anymouse]

I tried to remove the hand of my 14$ chinese caliper and it was probably glued onto the shaft. When I finally popped it off, it flew so high I heard it hit the ceiling. I was able to fix it thanks to your video. Cheers.

[@davidh5745]

I know this video was posted a few years ago... A question: You seem to use a lot of clock/watch techniques on this work. Did the original caliper makers oil the pivots, or not? I'm guessing they did not oil the mechanism because of its tendency to attract dirt and the low rate of actual use compared to a clock that runs 24/7.. However, it seems "reasonable" to add some lubrication to the pivot points. Thoughts?

[@danielkaylor8395]

If you didnt have the obnoxious music we could probably hear your wispering !

[@jimwiskus8862]

Are you set up to work on calipers if they’re sent to you?

[@rsitch1]

That was great!!! I’m a 74 yr old retired carpenter . Watching how careful you are in exposing and explaining is truly a work of art… If I may ask, where would one purchase a set of screw drivers that you use, I remember you mentioned Brown&Sharpe? Thank you for sharing …. Bob

[@CazClocker52]

I just found this video; I hope Robertt4522 answers your question! I was wondering the same thing.

[@CazClocker52]

At 21:50, you start cleaning with alcohol & a stiff-bristle brush. What kind of alcohol? Denatured or isopropyl? If robertt4522 doesn't see this to answer, do any of you other viewers know?

[@bill_p2074]

Isopropyl- 91% or higher. Lower values have too much water in them.

[@Spiegelradtransformation]

Hey thank you.👍🐳 Well Done.

[@Maxb49]

Do the gears themselves ever wear out?

[@ChirpysTinkerings]

really interesting video, I didnt think about it having gib adjustment screws in calipers, but makes sense. I have some calipers that are a little stiff due to the gibs being snug, which I like using because they tend to not want want to move when measuring on the lathe where as my digital ones are really loose and I have to measure multiple times because it wants to move on me. Now I know how to fix them. Thanks for the info and keep up the good work.

[@robertt-cs8fe]

Thanks a lot...the Long Island Indicator link talks about gib adjustment.

[@macroevolve]

I dropped my Mitutoyo 12in Calipers the other day and the freaking needle bent upwards - nothing broke, not even the lense. I bought a pair of 12in vernier Calipers after that

[@JourneymanRandy]

I think I will start to clean my dial calipers now. Tha ks

[@robertt-cs8fe]

If they work ok...a toothbrush with alcohol to clean the rack of oils and solvents is usually all that is needed

[@solarsynapse]

I tried prying off the indicator today like you did and the shaft snapped off!

[@robertt-cs8fe]

I hate hearing that...and this does not help much...but I have not broken an indicator arbor but I've bent one by not using a holder...I put it on the bench arbor side down...forgot what I was doing and removed a plate screw and bent the arbor...and more then once I've done something similar with pocket watch second hand arbors...it happens...bob

[@turogotti1]

My god, man. Great skills!

[@robertt-cs8fe]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Bro1036]

Can you show how to set needle back to 12 o’clock position when closed ? My 18 inch calipers where dropped, and are off .025...they are Fowler’s...look much like the one you just showed

[@robertt-cs8fe]

Ozzy the small needle on the top of the scale loosens up the dial. Now if the dial is really hurt that is not going to do you any good, you are going to have to strip it down and do a full repair. but before I would attempt that, I would get a squirt bottle of alcohol, no oil no WD40, just alcohol and a small toothbrush. As you unscrew that small one brush in alcohol liberally, it will not hurt anything. As you get close to the bottom you will notice that it loosens up be careful not to drop the screw and the fat screw you may loosen and add alcohol. That one allows the scale to travel up and down the vernier. Now here is another one for you. If you keep your scales in the garage or outside they freeze together real easy. Warm them up. That is the best I can do now, I am in bed and very sick.

[@mikhailshneyder9131]

Yesterday I dropped my 12" caliper on the floor and sure enough it is not working any more. Thanks for your great detailed video I was able to follow and completely disassembled the caliper. Nothing was broken there, I probably just lost the preload. After cleaning I put it together and it is better now than it ever was. It repeats very well and easily passed a calibration with gage blocks. Thank you very much! I succeeded from the first attempt thanks to your guide. Just one suggestion - the depth measuring bar has to be reattached with its end level with the caliper's end when jaws are closed. It is obvious, but probably deserves to be mentioned.

[@kushmongoonie]

I have a pair of mitutoyo calipers that i spilled a decent amount of dykem on. Took them apart to clean and once reassembled they wouldn't repeat. I didn't know I had to load the gear train before installing. Thanks for the video you saved me $120, production time at work and I learned some valuable information for my trade. You are the unsung hero of caliper repair!

[@robertt-cs8fe]

Thanks a lot...Bob

[@jimkirk1921]

I was surprized at the complexity and number of parts. The film was not clear on what held the glass lens to the frame. The last image appears to show that the lens was cracked on reinstall followed by the disposal of the non repairable assembly. It was not clear that the removal of the dial arm was successful. It was extracted but we were not infomed about the condition of the shaft as it was reassammbled. The lack of a naritative or commentary leaves room for a lot of speculation.

[@robertt-cs8fe]

the repair was a simple spring repair...the crystal snaps in place and did not break or harmed in any way...the hands came off easily...just checked with the owner and the calipers are still working just fine...sorry I was not clearer.

[@Ed-ru1wv]

Inspired

[@cesarsantellana1768]

Love the video by the way. Very helpful and well made.

[@robertt-cs8fe]

Thanks Cesar

[@cesarsantellana1768]

I'll be back in a second. My popcorn is ready.

[@robertt-cs8fe]

don't forget a drink...it is a rather long video

[@cesarsantellana1768]

@@robertt-cs8fe Right? Well worth it though. Cheers.

[@CraigLYoung]

"It's not Rocket Science" says the guy with four ways to pull the hand off. Good job!

[@robertt-cs8fe]

What a bad choice of a cliche...and guess what I found... a fifth puller just after filming...this coming from a guy who writes "Dial Indicators Exposed' on his thumb picture instead of Dial Calipers...I definitely ain't no rocket scientist!