Chris there are two styles of indicators you can use.? One is the dial indicator and one is called the test indicator.? The last word you mentioned is a test indicator. ?The dial indicator has a large dial face about 2 inches and has a plunger that is your indicator point of contact.? One must remember the test indicator is just that an indicator it’s not reading an exact measurement its only an indicated measurement or change in dimension. ??The angle of the point can change what the actually reading is.? Also some of the test indicators come with different length pointers you can change which also effects what kind of dimension they read.?

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On the dial indicator you are reading an exact measurement. ?Test indicators are used more for setups.? Like dialing in a round part in a four jaw chuck on the lathe or weeping the head in on a milling machine.? These type of setup procedures do not require an exact measurement but rather an indicated change of dimension. ??We’re as the dial indicator can be used say mounted on the lathe bed to measure the distance of travel of the saddle.? Dial indicators are used like this a lot were you do not have a DRO or any kind of dial on the hand wheel showing longitudinal travel. ??I hope this explanation helps a little Chris. ??Dennis

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I'm needing a dial test indicator.? The Starett "Last Word" seems to be the most common.

Been reading up on them and some people seem to think the Starett's aren't all that great compared to the rest of their product line.? I'm tending towards picking up an older one, but I've read that some of the new Chineseum ones are pretty good and the price new is less than a lot of the "vintage" ones.? I'm not sure I'm ready to invest in something like a new Mitutoyo, although I'd love to have one.

Curious on the thoughts and experiences of the group.? Also what resolution is most usable for what we can do on the small Daltons??

Here are some of the sets of insert tool holders I mentioned in the previous post.

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In the case of the second link this is the set I highly recommend for any of you guys that would like to get into insert tool holders.? These sets can be found in 8mm 10mm 12mm and 16mm shank size.? This means that the square part of the tool is the size I have indicated.?? I have purchased dozens of these sets over the years.? So with the insert tool holder set you can cover 90% of your turning needs from part off, threading as well as turning right and left.? The boring bar set is also a great set of tools for your small lathes.? So if you’re a good shopper you can find these two sets of tool holders for less than a $100 bucks.? So for about $200 you can outfit your lathe with a great quick change tool holder as well as a great set of insert tools.? Only passing on what I have learned guys I get nothing for recommending these tools only that I have purchased a number of the sets as well as I use them all the time in my own shop. Dennis

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I'm needing a dial test indicator.? The Starett "Last Word" seems to be the most common.

Been reading up on them and some people seem to think the Starett's aren't all that great compared to the rest of their product line.? I'm tending towards picking up an older one, but I've read that some of the new Chineseum ones are pretty good and the price new is less than a lot of the "vintage" ones.? I'm not sure I'm ready to invest in something like a new Mitutoyo, although I'd love to have one.

Curious on the thoughts and experiences of the group.? Also what resolution is most usable for what we can do on the small Daltons??

This is one of the tool post sets I have been talking about.? This set comes with two extra number 1 holders.? They have gone up a bit in price? but then with our current administration everything is getting more expensiveL

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So if you go on eBay and do a search for?? (OXA tool post sets) you will see quite a number of them some are US based sellers and are stocked here in the US and some are Chinese sellers from overseas.? Try and get one from a US seller I did and got the set in just a few days. They all come from China but it’s good to see some are being stocked here in the US sold by Americans.

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Chris if you’re interested in the insert tool set I have an extra set I got by mistake.? I thought I ordered a 12 MM set but after I got it I realized I? had made a mistake and got the 10MM size just what you need.? ?Dennis

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I'm needing a dial test indicator.? The Starett "Last Word" seems to be the most common.

Been reading up on them and some people seem to think the Starett's aren't all that great compared to the rest of their product line.? I'm tending towards picking up an older one, but I've read that some of the new Chineseum ones are pretty good and the price new is less than a lot of the "vintage" ones.? I'm not sure I'm ready to invest in something like a new Mitutoyo, although I'd love to have one.

Curious on the thoughts and experiences of the group.? Also what resolution is most usable for what we can do on the small Daltons??