Replies

1. 
   Jeff | Oct 16, 2004 03:06pm | #1

   FG

   You'll find that a round flat tip (usually about 1/8 - 1/4 " diameter) is very usefull for setting tools up (Jointer and planer).

   Jeff

2. 
   toolpoor | Oct 16, 2004 03:24pm | #2

   An assortment of different dial indicator points are very useful. They permit access to different measurement places that the standard tip may not work on. Usually, they will be a disc tip, nice for setting jointer blades, different length tips with different radii on the ends, a needle point, used for measuring clearance on cutting edges, and bent tips, for access around obstructions. You probably will not use some of them, but they're nice to have available. You will find an indicator very useful in machine tuning, from setting blades, to alignment issues, to checking runout on arbors, wheels, and blades.  

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 16, 2004 07:12pm | #5

   Thanks for the detailed answer.  AND.....I love your nickname.  Too cool.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   jc21 | Oct 16, 2004 03:29pm | #3

   "In the case of woodworking, do I need more than the standard straight tip?" ............. if you're me you do. A good pair of eyeglasses,lol. The eyes are the second thing to go and I can't remember the first.

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 16, 2004 07:13pm | #6

   ...and then there's trying to remember where you put those glasses, LOL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

4. 
   RickL | Oct 16, 2004 03:51pm | #4

   I use the 1/2" convex button tip exclusively in the pictured fixture. This type of base does jointer knives, and all planer setting better than a standard magnetic base available from most suppliers. You can't buy it but a wooden block can be just as useful with an inexpensive import indicator. Best places to buy from are Grizzly, http://www.wttool.com and http://www.use-enco.com. If you buy a regular base get the articulated kind. http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=g9625&

   
1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 16, 2004 07:55pm | #7

   "inexpensive import indicator"  Bingo, you read between the lines.  The set I'm looking at is from WT Tools.  I looked at the articulated base you suggested.  You don't think it would be tricky to get an exact placement?  Hmmmmmm.  Here's the indicator and base I was looking at (very typical):http://www.wttool.com/p/12670010p/1267-0010

   Getting the extra points seems like a no-brainer, based on the responses here.

   Thanks for the links, Rick.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   RickL | Oct 16, 2004 08:08pm | #8

   I've got that type of indicator base but it doesn't compare to the ease of the articulated type. The regular tip and button tip are all I use. I've been involved with woodworking machines professionally for many years so I've tried lots of things but for the most part you don't need a lot of the gadgets they are pushing. The indicator base in the pic I posted will do 99% of what you need. The other standard bases are good for the other 1% so...

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 16, 2004 08:22pm | #9

   I certainly could make a wooden block-type base.  Could use rare-earth magnets to hold it to the table surface, yes?  What's involved in the attachment of the indicator to a home-made base? 

   Will definitely keep the articulated base in mind, based on your recommendation.  I requested an Enco catalog (they have a nice selection of indicators), but it won't be shipped until January.  Hmfph.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   RickL | Oct 16, 2004 08:42pm | #10

   I bought my last articulated base through Grizzly. You don't want magnets for this base!!!!! It's supposed to slide...magnets would not be good on it. I've made them from C-channel and some pieces of angle stock. Use brass bedause it's easy to work but steel is cheaper and more abundant. You could cobble up something for next to nothing. Here is another pic. You want to be able to move the indicator up and down for the most part. The base pictured is designed to straddle heads 3" or bigger so it's not really necessary to have this for the hobby woodworker. Some heavy dense hardwood and angle stock will suffice. The side to side adjustment isn't as critical. Centered is used more. Indicator tip down is for bedrolls, jointer knives. Indicator tip up works for planer feed rolls and most small planers are preset so you probably would even use most of the features of my base.

   
2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 16, 2004 09:07pm | #11

   Thanks for that pic, Rick.  OK, no magnets.  I have a big block of lignum vitae -- sounds like I could use a bit of that for my base.

   The main use will be for setting jointer knives, but I'll want to use it on table saws also, to check for arbor run-out and such.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   RickL | Oct 16, 2004 09:18pm | #12

   The articulated base is for checking arbor runout. The base you make will be perfect for jointer knives.