k & m dial indicator

[jsthntn247]

I am getting ready to turn necks on a rifle that will be built shortly. I bought a k and m neck turner last week and didn't get the dail indicator because I thought the one I had .001" x 1" would fit. I now realize that it will not. I found this indicator on grizzly and it appears to be the same size as the one k and m sales http://www.grizzly.com/outlet/Dial-Indicator-0005-x-1-2-/T24182. Does anyone know if this one will work, it sure is allot cheaper than the one sold by k and m. Both indicators are .0005" x 1/2" but I'm not exactly sure what those measurements mean.

 

[ridgeway]

Don't use a dial indicator on the turner. At best, you will get to the nearest 0005", which is not accurate enough. Get yourself a decent tube micrometer...this way you can accurately measure the neck thickness down to .0001"

I have one of these...
http://www.kmshooting.com/catalog/miscellaneous-items/mitutoyo-wall-thickness-micrometer_60-degree-modification.html

 

[Lazydays]

there are three or four basic types of dial indicators:

1. they typical gear and rack type with the long travel (.030" to 2.00"). They come in all sorts of increments from .000020" to .001". Some are built around an encoder as well (works like your digital caliper). The average long travel dial indicator has about 10% backlash built into it. But they also sell a jewelled version that will have maybe .25" travel max. Also expensive when you can find one. These typically have about 3% to 5% backlash built into them. The indicator with the encoder will be a small fraction of the others. These indicators come in more than one mounting diater, so beware of that. Plus they also come with mounts for the backs (several), and a few use a dove tail mount.

2. Then there are the wand type indicators (like a Last Word). These typically have much less travel. Although some actually have about .060" travel. Backlash figures for these will usually be a small fraction of the gear & rack type. For precision measurments the wand type is usually superior. Of these the Interapid and the Browne & Sharp Best Test are the best.

Typically all indicators hate tobe setup with the dial facing you then rotated upside down. This will give you the max backlash built into it. But the Best Test and Interrapid do not have this issue. Now for the K&M priming tool the best indicator for one will have about .30" of travel, and read in either .0005" increments or .0001" increments. They also do them in .00025" increments (I really this this one, but they are not as common). Once you get used to the way a certain indicator fells and reactsto movement, you will soon learn to split the increments in half. So it's fairly easy to use a .0005" indicator down in .00025" increments. Find an old Federal dial bore gauge that has the right travel and increments you need. These are about the best in a G&R type without going to a jewelled action. Sometimes you have to change the back on them, but they are fairly common and pretty easy to change.

Lastly! Avoid the Chinese ones like the plague! You usually get what you pay for here. Can you tell me exactly what you are looking for? I have a cigar box full of indicators, and if I have one you can use, it's yours.
gary

 

[jsthntn247]

I'm really not sure what I need. I'm looking for a way to measure my neck wall thickness to determine how deep I set the cut on the turner. I measured the necks with my calipers and the best I could tell the lapua 308 necks were .016 thick on most pieces. I slowly turned the cutter in until I measured .014. My reamer has a .339 neck. .014 x 2 + .308 = .336 which should give me .003 clearance. I turned a piece and seated a bullet and it measured .3355 the best I could tell. Is this good enough, or is there something I'm missing?