Author Topic: Question about dial gauges (Read 3780 times)

srivett · « **on:** March 12, 2005, 02:10:54 am »

I've got a dial gauge adapter from www.vwdieselparts.com

The question is, do metric and ImPeRiAl dial gauges have the same threaded end for attaching to adapters? I really want to get a metric gauge but I'm going to have to order one so it's a bit of a leap in faith as I won't be able to check for compatability until I own it. One would think they would have the same attachment so that you wouldn't need to own two of everything.

Imperial tools are for muppets and I really don't want to have anything to do with them.

The imperial conversions for my Japanese motorcycles are always wrong too. They never mention if it is a US or UK gallon/ounce and they round valve clearances out of spec during conversion, etc. It's a disaster.

Thanks, Steve

QuickTD · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2005, 07:21:16 am »

The threaded end varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, not just from metric to imperial. Quite often imperial dial guages will have a metric thread and metric guages will have an imperial thread. Depends on who made it.

SteveH · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2005, 08:18:45 am »

There are three criteria that you must have in your dial indicator. The first one is to make sure that the neck of the indicator is the proper diameter so that it will be able to fit into the tool all the way (this was my problem when I purchased a metric dial indicator, even though it was calibrated in metric denominations, it was still imperial dimensions for the US market). Secondly, that the indicator has the proper range and read that you need, and lastly your original question about thread pitch. I would highly recommend purchasing the tool first, then look for a dial indicator.

On a side note - as stated above, my dial indicator neck was too large for my tool, and needless to say I broke the tool while trying to drill it out slightly. I was able to borrow the tool from my local injection shop...Their tool was absolutely the best damn thing I've ever seen. I was perhaps 3" long - complete. This allowed it to be much easier to manage and fit into the pump (I have clearance issues witht he regular tool, as my turbo-oil supply line is in the way). The dial indicator fit into a short sleeve which was threaded on the OD for the pump, and the probe was part of the dial indicator....I wish I had taken a picture of this thing, perhaps I'll borrow it again to do so...But here is the information which was on its box:

Saginomiya TAM-1005

Hope that helps.

srivett · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2005, 09:24:09 pm »

Thanks for the info guys!

The vwdieselparts.com adapter apears to be M3 x 0.5 pitch I used a pitch tool first and then put the adapter into the corresponding tap/die.

Steve

vwmike · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2005, 10:42:51 pm »

This was the whole dilemma I was facing when I bought this tool. I elected to just buy it as a package off ebay. So now I have 2 sets of lock tools, but I got the dial indicator adapter with a metric dial indicator that all works together for about $75 shipped.

VWRacer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2005, 06:33:03 am »

Can anyone actually recommend a proper tool set? I am normally a buy it on eBay kind of guy, since I'm cheap, but this may be one instance where buying the right tool makes sense.

So if you can recommend a specific tool set, I'd like to hear about it. Or if I'm being over-cautious, I'd like to be set straight.

TIA,