Reading Dial Indicators

[@zackc4693]

Great video. Just started Diesel Engine class and we are using all of the toys.

[@DrivelineMaster]

I'm glad you found this helpful. Share with your classmates

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

Hello... so im struggling with a Fowler 52-520-110-0. On the small dial the numbers are broken down to read 0 and .5, .2 and .6 .3 and .7 and so on. I get that when you go a full revolution, you're supposed to pick up at the .5 mark and then go to .6. I get that. But it contradicts the unit of measurement on the big marks which are .001 each. So if i go a full revolution, I am at .1. If I went 10 revolutions, that would bring me to an inch. How come I end up at .5 at the small dial with a full revolution. Even if it was just purely a freaking revolution counter, why would it still be at .5 as I only made 1 revolution?? So if the big needle went around twice, I would be at one revolution or 1"?? Doesnt make a lick of sense. Can you help me out here? Thanks.

[@DrivelineMaster]

On your Fowler dial gauge the small dial works like what I show at time stamp 2:08. It's only required to zero and use the small scale if you have to make a measurement that is greater than 0.100". Most dial indicator measurements are done making measurements such as run out or axial movement with specification that are below 0.100". If you do need to measure the movement that is greater than 0.100" the dial will need to be setup and preloaded in such a way where the little scale and the big scale are both on zero. After the first full revolution of the big scale where the needle moved from zero all the way around and back to zero the small dial will now point to the 1 on the small dial to indicate 0.100". After another full revolution the small dial will point to the 2 to indicate 0.200". and so on. Some dial indicators run the small dial clockwise and some rotate it counter clockwise. Some dial indicators are designed so the small dial is marked twice for each line. These are pain to read because the small dial is designed to rotate 2 full turns to cover the full 1" of travel. The first revolution of the small dial can measure from 0.100" to 0.500" and the second revolution is designed to measure from 0.600" to 1" I looked up your dial and if it doesn't look like what is at time stamp 2:08 then please send me a picture. Make sure your dial is in inches and not millimeters.

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

Ok, that makes sense. Because when it hits .5, the needle obviously would have made 5 revolutions. Mine uh.....hit .5 after just 1. So, obviously out of calibration. Some idjit musta dropped it! 😑 Thanks for the response! Good Day to you sir!

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

​@@DrivelineMasterBTW, we were measuring trim tab travel on a business jet for the Mach trim actuator. 😅 it's supposed to read .14 + or - .02 when it operates.

[@DrivelineMaster]

@@modeljetjuggernaut4864 Sounds like you have a metric dial indicator.

[@adrien416]

Great video you made it very simple for me to understand, thanks.

[@favourewarami6459]

My dial indicator is measured in metric (millimeter ) can I get explanation in millimeter instead of inches.

[@DrivelineMaster]

I don't have one for a video but I just looked it up. Look at the center of your dial indicator. it will tell you how much each line measures. such as it's most likely that each line measures 0.01mm or 1/100th of a millimeter. So when the dial reads on the 10 your really reading 0.10mm or 1/10th of a millimeter. If your dial reads up to 10mm then each revolution would measure 1.00 or 1 millimeter. Hope this helps.

[@DanDan-sh3mt]

Great video!

[@filmart430]

Great video

[@pedroestrada7388]

Isn’t it supposed to be thousandths of an inch not thousands of an inch?

[@DrivelineMaster]

You are so correct. The caption text is incorrect 7 times. It's easy to fix the captions and I will do that right now. Thansk

[@silaturahmitenismeja1901]

great video thx a lot master for sharing

[@heretohear8662]

Excellent!!

[@subhadiprakshitvlog1940]

Great 👍

[@eloyex]

excellent !!!!

[@markvietti]

next video (how to clean the glass on a dial indicator)

[@DrivelineMaster]

It's not dirt it's the quality of the picture. It is an old picture and I hesitated on replacing it. Looks like my critics have spoken and I need to fix it.

[@stevendaniels8652]

What a dry, monotone voice.....I'll use this video to fall asleep at night.

[@DrivelineMaster]

Glad I could help. That was done right after I had vocal cord surgery. Sorry.

[@goransaric46]

What a rude, unnecessary comment

[@DrivelineMaster]

It takes all kinds. Thanks for you comment.