Who makes a good quality dial indicator?

[Jim Bronson]

I'm looking for an indicator to check runout, bearing endplay, etc. Which ones do you all recommend? Thanks.

[prodrag1320]

mitutoyo,all we use.

[Sc00ter]

Starrett....

http://www.starrett.com/

[Skullfork]

My vote is Starret, it's all we use in our shop. Nothing wrong with Mitutoyo either, but they're made in Japan, Starret in the USA ...easy choice for us.

[chopper]

Either are top shelf stuff!  Can't go wrong with either of them.  I'm still using the Mitutoyo mics I bought back in 1971.

[mor pwr]

BUY AMERICAN

[Jim Bronson]

Wow, there's a name from the past. In my previous life as an engineer, we used Mitutoyo microscopes to examine integrated circuits. I'll check out Starret too.

Thanks.

[prodrag1320]

BUY AMERICAN

buy a new HD,get rid of everything that aint made in america,and youde have a motor,frame & trans

[Jeffd]

BUY AMERICAN

buy a new HD,get rid of everything that aint made in america,and youde have a motor,frame & trans

and tires LOL.  course the crank would still have runout lol.

[prodrag1320]

dunlops are made in japan,pretty sad if ya ask me!

[Dan89flstc]

dunlops are made in japan,pretty sad if ya ask me!

Dunlops are made all over the world. They are the only company that manufactures motorcycle tires in the United States.
http://www.usstuff.com/mototire.htm

We use Starrett indicators, micrometers, depth mics, calipers etc. at work (jet engine experimental shop).

[Uncle Salty]

This makes for interesting reading. http://longislandindicator.com/p14.html

[Bladesmith]

 
http://www1.mscdirect.com/industrial-equipment.html?KNC-T7L391316886&cm_mmc=Didit-_-SEM-_-ItmDtl-_-PypClk&002=2167518&004=425937555&005=6022832326&006=629575293&009=e&011=msc

[chopper]

BUY AMERICAN

buy a new HD,get rid of everything that aint made in america,and youde have a motor,frame & trans

unless its a Vrod...   engines are cast and machined overseas

[mark61]

Buy American is right!

Having said that, even the cheapos from Harbor Freight do what they are supposed to well enough most people will not regrett buying them.

mark61

[Bigs]

I agree with mark61 that Harbor Freight dial indicator is plenty accurate to check runout and end play and also their magnetic base is very good. I have a Starrett and a German dial indicator and if you are going to use them all the time I would recommend the higher quality indicators and naturally they are more expensive. For occasional use the Harbor is fine. I bought the better of the 2 dial indicators that Harbor Freight has as well as the magnetic base. I think it cost me $25 for both.
   Bigs

[WVULTRA]

I'm looking for an indicator to check runout, bearing endplay, etc. Which ones do you all recommend? Thanks.

Jim:

I bought a Starrett 25-131J several years ago on ebay, and IMO it's one of the finest indicators available for runout, etc.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Starrett-25-131J-Dial-Indicator-125-Range-New-/230569090358

Not cheap as the offshore ones, but if your looking for a top end tool this is a great one!

[mor pwr]

You can make fun of what I said all you want. But bottom line it all gets down to how you spend your dollars $$$$$$$$$$. I like to see americans WORKING.

[Big Dan]

The last time I checked the domestic content of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, as it rolls off the line, was well over 80% and I believe it approached 90%. Parts & Aceessories, as well as Motorclothes, are a whole different story but the bikes themselves are highly American when they come off the line.

Please stop spreading nonsense.  Just because you read something on the internet 3 times, that does not make it true.

[chopper]

Please stop spreading nonsense.

Indeed!  Please post your source of that "approaching 90% " domestic content statement then.   Otherwise...  its in the category of  "something you read on the internet"

[HroadhogD1]

      I would first figure out how much you will be using the indicator.  I realize you want an accurate reading, but it doesn't make much sense to pay high dollar for something you will only use once or twice.  If you are going to use it allot then buy the good one.   JMHO

[WVULTRA]

      I would first figure out how much you will be using the indicator.  I realize you want an accurate reading, but it doesn't make much sense to pay high dollar for something you will only use once or twice.  If you are going to use it allot then buy the good one.   JMHO

[Big Dan]

Please stop spreading nonsense.

Indeed!  Please post your source of that "approaching 90% " domestic content statement then.   Otherwise...  its in the category of  "something you read on the internet"

I got it from a friend that was rather high up in the MoCo, but is now retired. The number is very liquid, changing constantly to meet demand and quality criteria, but it has always been well above 80%.

Here's a supposedly legitimate source that claimed 95% for 2002. I'm somewhat skeptical, but the "liquid number" may actually have spiked that high at that given time.

http://www.howtobuyamerican.com/bamw/bamw-020503-harley.shtml

[Jeffd]

dunlops are made in japan,pretty sad if ya ask me!

every set of stock 402 dunlops I bought (a bunch in 80,000 miles) and the new 407 and 408's say made in the USA on them.

[chopper]

I got it from a friend that was rather high up in the MoCo, but is now retired.

  So...  what you're saying is that you really have ZERO documentation for that 90% "statement" then..  Other than some guy told me.   That sure seems to come under the "stop spreading nonsense" heading then.

As far as 02's?  I HAVE one.  Lessee, Jap forks, Mexican electrics, Aussie wheels (unless they're Jap also)  Lots of the electronic stuff is from Taiwan or Mexico.