Giant dial indicator

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Giant dial indicator

This topic has 11 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 29 May 2025 at 11:16 by Grindstone Cowboy.

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28 May 2025 at 17:49 #800170
Sonic Escape
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@sonicescape38234
I found a ridiculously large dial indicator ~11cm in diameter. I couldn’t resist buying it. In general it measures as accurately as the digital indicator. But unfortunately when it reaches 0.68mm it locks and then jumps to another position. From what I understand is not ok to lubricate dial indicators with oil? Because I have a feeling that some WD40 will fix this.
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28 May 2025 at 18:09 #800172
vic newey
Participant
@vicnewey60017
I have had some success using light watch oil on some that came in a job lot but it didn’t work on all of them.
28 May 2025 at 18:57 #800180
Peter Cook 6
Participant
@petercook6
Bit of dirt in the rack?
28 May 2025 at 18:59 #800182
bernard towers
Participant
@bernardtowers37738
Im with peter on that!
28 May 2025 at 19:59 #800194
roy entwistle
Participant
@royentwistle24699
Do NOT use WD40 on brass

Roy
28 May 2025 at 20:30 #800202
Martin Connelly
Participant
@martinconnelly55370
WD40, the WD stands for water displacement. It is not designed to be a lubricant. Once the volatile compounds have evaporated a stick waxy deposit is left. On engines (back in the pre-electronic ignition days) people used to spray it liberally in the engine bay of cars to try to keep the HT for the spark plug from leaping to earth when it was damp. After being subjected to the heat of a hot engine for a while there was a varnish like deposit left behind. Google what is WD40 meant for.

Martin C
28 May 2025 at 21:14 #800216
Neil Lickfold
Participant
@neillickfold44316
It will need to be cleaned. I used to use baby oil, unscented pure paraffin oil. Now I use the thin vacuum pump oil or ATF oil. It seems to stay for a very long time. Most people over oil things. The droplets need to be very small on the bearing areas. The rack and pinion is usually clean and dry, with the oil drop being on the pinion pin bushes. Some use full synthetic oils. A watch maker will set you onto a better track, but my indicators are still working well , the oldest was new in 1980. A very small amount of oil on the top and bottom guide bushes sometimes. If it is used in a dusty environment, then I leave the indicator shaft clean and dry. I use a pin point to apply the tiny drops of oil.

WD40, CRC, and similar products, evaporate and leave a nasty deposit that over time will ruin things.

ATF oil has additives for mixed metals to prevent corrosion. The vacuum pump oil is very low evaporating, and lasts the longest. At least for 3 years or more.

Neil
28 May 2025 at 21:55 #800231
Sonic Escape
Participant
@sonicescape38234
On 28 May 2025 at 18:57 Peter Cook 6 Said:

Bit of dirt in the rack?

I don’t think so because it is a periodic problem. It gets stuck in the same position on every turn.

I had a look inside and I noticed two things. First, it is the most complex dial indicator I saw. Second, somebody flooded it with high viscosity oil.

There is also a lever that should press on a small wheel. But it is bent and was pressing in the wrong location.

There are also some adjustment screws. This is serious stuff not something to fix quickly at midnight. I’ll have a look in the next weekend.
29 May 2025 at 08:58 #800269
larry phelan 1
Participant
@larryphelan1
Would it be worth while to bring it to a watch repair man ??
29 May 2025 at 09:01 #800271
Sonic Escape
Participant
@sonicescape38234
On 29 May 2025 at 08:58 larry phelan 1 Said:

Would it be worth while to bring it to a watch repair man ??

Where is the fun then? 😀
29 May 2025 at 09:27 #800280
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
On 29 May 2025 at 09:01 Sonic Escape Said:

Where is the fun then? 😀

Good point !

Now:
1. Dismantle it carefully, taking notes and photos as you go
2. Clean all that filthy thick oil off every part
3. Reassemble it dry, and check that it works properly
4. … any slight lubrication can be considered after you know it works
MichaelG.
29 May 2025 at 11:16 #800315
Grindstone Cowboy
Participant
@grindstonecowboy
I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ve found lighter fluid works well for cleaning mechanisms such as these and has the added bonus of leaving a very slight oily film which is adequate for lubrication.

The higher quality brands (e.g. Swan) are less oily than the “pound-shop” variants.

Rob
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