How to use a Magnetic Base Dial Indicator 

How to use a Magnetic Base Dial Indicator. This video is intended for students in my manual drivetrain and automatic transmissions classes as well as anyone who is interested in basic precision measurements.
TIMELINE:
0:00 Introduction
0:40 Magnetic Mount Dial indicator introduction
1:40 Purpose of foam inserts
2:15 Two sizes of clamps and rods
3:00 The form-fitting magnetic base
3:07 Base finger lock
3:13 Base fingers
4:20 Base magnet
5:05 Large diameter clamp installation
5:15 Small diameter clamp installation
5:20 Installing the small diameter shaft
5:50 Tightening thumb screws
7:00 0.0005" Dial indicator introduction
7:17 Meaning of tiny marks on indicator face
7:41 Meaning of slightly larger marks on indicator face
7:50 Meaning of largest marks on indicator face
8:00 Plunger travel verses needle revolutions
9:06 Needle revolution counter
9:15 Care of delicate dial indicators
10:12 Clamping base and installation
11:15 Red outer "Zeroing" dial
11:44 Total Indicated Reading (TIR)
12:08 "Zeroing" ring lock thumb screw
12:40 Plunger tip removal and care
13:28 Plunger Tip extensions
14:38 Plunger contact point kit
15:00 Roller tip
16:14 Example use of magnetic base dial indicator
18:39 Ring gear backlash measurement setup
20:06 Actual backlash measurement
20:50 Cleanup and storage of dial indicator
This video helps cover content related to the 2017 National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) Required Supplemental Tasks - Tools and Equipment:
1. Identify tools and their usage in automotive applications.
2. Identify standard and metric designation.
3. Demonstrate safe handling and use of appropriate tools.
4. Demonstrate proper cleaning, storage, and maintenance of tools and equipment.
5. Demonstrate proper use of precision measuring tools (i.e. micrometer, dial indicator, dial-caliper).
ABOUT US
Weber State University (WSU) - Department of Automotive Technology - Ardell Brown Technology Wing - Transmission Lab. This is part of a series of videos on Precision Measurements and tool care - Basic use and care of a Magnetic Base Dial Indicator.
This video was created and edited by Professor John D. Kelly at WSU. For a full biography, see www.weber.edu/automotive/J_Kel...
Visit my other youtube channel / vibratesoftware to see the amazing NVH app for vibration diagnosis!
QUESTIONS FOR TEACHERS:
1. How do you speed up, or slow down, a RU-vid video?
2. What is the purpose of the foam pads in the tool case?
3. How many sizes of rods are in the dial indicator kit?
4. How many sizes of rod clamps are in the dial indicator kit?
5. What is the purpose of the fingers at the base of the dial indicator in this video?
6. How do you lock and unlock the fingers of the base?
7. How tight should the thumbscrew be tightened on the clamps?
8. What increment of measurement do the tiny marks indicate on the dial indicator in this video?
9. What increment of measurement do the medium marks indicate on the dial indicator in this video?
10. What increment of measurement do the large marks indicate on the dial indicator in this video?
11. How much travel does the plunger of this dial indicator have?
12. What makes this dial indicator so delicate and very accurate versus a Harbor Freight dial indicator?
13. How do you zero the dial indicator dial?
14. What is the purpose of the metal thumbscrew by the dial?
15. What does Total Indicated Reading (TIR) mean? Google it
16. When would you want to use a different tip on the plunger?
17. When using a different plunger tip, where should the original tip be stored?
18. When measuring the backlash of a ring and pinion gear in an axle/differential, what angle should the plunger make with the gear tooth?
19. Where would the dial indicator be stored when not in use on your workbench?
20. When storing the dial indicator, what precaution should be taken with regard to the plunger?
21. What are you to do if you drop this dial indicator?
22. How do you convert inches to millimeters?
23. How do you convert millimeters to inches?
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