DIAL TEST INDICATOR LONGER STEM

[oneshot 66]

I have a B&S dial test indicator with a 1 7/16" stem and would like to have one that's longer. I know it will change the reading, but I just want to indicate with it. This is the longest B&S stem available. Any suggestions?
Scott

 

[boltfluter]

Not sure but maybe a 2.5 "stem from a Interapid would screw on. Don't know if the threads are the same. Someone will know.
Paul

 

[GenePoole]

I've never seen a genuine B&S longer than 1-7/16 inch, but the "tenon" on a Interrapid 2.25 inch rod is beefy enough to turn down and re-thread for the B&S threads. The Brown and Sharpe thread is metric M1.4x0.3. You used to be able to get the Interrapid stems from ebay for about $20, but I can't find any right now. Personally, I'd get a 0.00005 large-dial B&S indicator for this conversion. These pop up every now and again on ebay. You'll get much better precision than a stock Interrapid.

Here you can see 4 of my B&S indicators (though one is only the tip in the lower right corner). All combined were cheaper than an Interrapid:

Found a better pic of my indicators:

 

[oneshot 66]

I've never seen a genuine B&S longer than 1-7/16 inch, but the "tenon" on a Interrapid 2.25 inch rod is beefy enough to turn down and re-thread for the B&S threads. The Brown and Sharpe thread is metric M1.4x0.3. You used to be able to get the Interrapid stems from ebay for about $20, but I can't find any right now. Personally, I'd get a 0.00005 large-dial B&S indicator for this conversion. These pop up every now and again on ebay. You'll get much better precision than a stock Interrapid.

Here you can see 4 of my B&S indicators (though one is only the tip in the lower right corner). All combined were cheaper than an Interrapid:

Found a better pic of my indicators:

Gene,
I found the stems on ebay (4" long), I can cut and thread to desired length. There was a M1.4x0.3 die also.
Thanks
Scott

 

[Cloudrepair]

Not sure but maybe a 2.5 "stem from a Interapid would screw on. Don't know if the threads are the same. Someone will know.
Paul

I was thinking the same thing and have one I would give you. I just got a couple with the bigger ball that I wanted so don't need the smaller one plus I have two of each.

 

[Cloudrepair]

I've never seen a genuine B&S longer than 1-7/16 inch, but the "tenon" on a Interrapid 2.25 inch rod is beefy enough to turn down and re-thread for the B&S threads. The Brown and Sharpe thread is metric M1.4x0.3. You used to be able to get the Interrapid stems from ebay for about $20, but I can't find any right now. Personally, I'd get a 0.00005 large-dial B&S indicator for this conversion. These pop up every now and again on ebay. You'll get much better precision than a stock Interrapid.

Here you can see 4 of my B&S indicators (though one is only the tip in the lower right corner). All combined were cheaper than an Interrapid:

Found a better pic of my indicators:

I hear you my interapid was over 300 when I got it probably much worse now.

 

[GenePoole]

I hear you my interapid was over 300 when I got it probably much worse now.

The one on the far left is a Chinese from Shars. $20 or so; I use it for tramming on my mill vise, etc. The next two black dial tenths indicators; one was new-old-stock from a company that went out of business: $50, and the other was a retired machinist liquidating inventory: ~$50. The third one with the beige dial, I don't recall, but under $50 from ebay. The large-dial 0.00005 was the most expensive at $95, again, a machinist's liquidation sale on ebay.