How To Clean And Lubricate A Best Test Indicator

Richard Guthrie	16/06/2015 18:20:47
10 forum posts	I am sure that at some fourth dimension I have read an article either in ME or MEW on repairing/cleaning a punch indicator. I take just get the owner of a Mercer 0.0001" indicator with a slightly 'sticky' stalk - information technology will return, but only slowly. Having taken the back off, it looks a lot like the inside of a scout and I am loathe to interfere without doing some research showtime. Hence this posting. Any assist would be appreciated. Richard
Chris Shelton	16/06/2015 eighteen:43:27
92 forum posts 46 photos	Hello if you search on YouTube I very quickly plant 4 clips of people making repairs to various makes of punch indicators. This might aid y'all sympathise how they are dismantled HTH Chris
Ajohnw	sixteen/06/2015 19:47:25
3631 forum posts 160 photos	Try wiping as much of the stem as yous tin over with a cotton bud and some sort of degreaser on information technology. I would use IPA. I have been known to use cigarette lighter fuel but take intendance equally the fumes are surprisingly explosive and the all-time way of getting rid of it is to set information technology on fire or I suppose tip it out some where and permit information technology evaporate. Sometimes they take been oiled or some has got on it and gone viscid then this often works. All-time to endeavour this before messing with the mesh of the rack and pinion etc inside information technology. If information technology improves you tin can get at more to clean past taking the back off merely don't get out any fluff backside. I literally swilled ane with lighter fuel in one case. Didn't work out because there was slight scoring on the plunger and then threw it abroad. Clock oil might help with that sort of thing used very sparingly. John -
Lambton	16/06/2015 19:52:19
694 forum posts two photos	The vital affair is not to lubricate the stem in anyhow at all. Information technology must piece of work dry. Try wiping it with a tissue moistened with a little solvent. If you take the back off you lot can clean the chip of the stem inside with a cotton bud. Brand certain that all traces of the solvent have evaporated or accept been wiped away. The stem should now motility freely. This advice was given to me many years ago by an sometime employee of Mercer and it has always worked for me. Commonly the actual mechanism will not require any attention. Many people try to cure a stick stalk exist applying oil with the result that matters are made worse.
V8Eng	16/06/2015 19:54:59
1679 forum posts 1 photos	Posted by Richard Guthrie on 16/06/2015 18:20:47: I am sure that at some time I accept read an article either in ME or MEW on repairing/cleaning a dial indicator. There was an article called "DialTest Indicator Restoration and Repair" in the Nov/Dec 2010 issues of EIM. Author was chosen Richard Gordon. Edited By V8Eng on 16/06/2015 19:58:56 Edited Past V8Eng on 16/06/2015 20:02:13
Richard Guthrie	16/06/2015 20:59:thirty
10 forum posts	Many thanks to all of you. I had thought of using a solvent - not lighter fuel, only methylated spirits. Though I'm not certain nigh swilling information technology round, even though that makes sense in case its been lubricated unsuitably at some time. Richard
Clive Hartland	sixteen/06/2015 21:55:48
2799 forum posts forty photos	Meths is not a good oil solvent, best use white spirit to become rid of oil and believe information technology or non dip in hot water with a hint of launder upward liquid and a final rinse in hot water, so dry with a hair drier. Given that now virtually ultrasonics use an aqua based cleaner with hot water after launder. I can recommend 'Micro' at a ii% solution for an ultrasonic. Clive
MalcB	16/06/2015 22:12:18
257 forum posts 31 photos	I repaired many when I did an 18 mths stint in the standards room at Ferranti a long time ago. From memory ( a long time ago ). Every bit stated you need a very make clean, dry, score free spindle using solvents. The only special tools other than good small screwdriver sets needed to dismantle are a couple of adept sets of finger lifters. A modest ready for the master finger and a very small prepare for the revolution counter finger. These are literally miniature types of tyre levers with a pocket-size groove cutting in to clear the finger spindle, 2 per set. Depending on indicator model basic dismantle starts: Remove Back. Remove plastic rotating main screen either clips or screws. Carefully lift each finger using equal pressure level with lifters at 180 deg nether each and elevator of dial. This unremarkably reveals a couple of screws on the outer edge of the principal gear train associates that concord information technology to the indicator assembly. They allow rotational adjustment of the gear train assembly to mesh the main first contact gear with the linear spindle rack gear. Remove these screws and the gear train can exist removed and further dismantling necessary of the gears and springs. Remove the stop fittings from the spindle and slide out. Do all the cleaning and score removal necessary, check for free smooth movement in housing. Reassembly is a reversal of above but: when you mesh the main small gear with the rack you will need to reset the preload on the main spring as follows. Rotate the gear railroad train so there is no mesh with spindle keeping the adjusting/locking screws lightly nipped. Very lightly refit the larger finger with the lightest tap just sufficient to rotate the gear railroad train. Wind about 4 consummate revs to tighten the main jump and whilst then property to prevent unwinding rotate the gear railroad train assembly to mesh with the spindle and tighten the ii rotational adjusting/securing screws. There should be minimal play twixt spindle and gear. At this phase y'all need to cheque its functioning. The spindle to be clean and smooth operation. The principal finger should movement promptly and cleanly and return to its null point. You may need to play with the preload revs and meshing to get this right. Remove finger. Refit punch. Refit fingers by lightly tapping back downwardly with a skillful small diameter flat ended punch, taking care not to curve the spindles. Reassemble front. Reassemble back. No doubt there are others who may be able to correct if needed.
Lambton	16/06/2015 22:16:xi
694 forum posts 2 photos	Do non, nether any circumstances wet the whole within of the DTI just wipe the stem with a tissue wetted with solvent. You may have to practise this several times whilst moving the stalk backwards and forrard gently. This action will presently draw all unwanted material out. .Not methylated spirit ! Every bit Clive says it is not a good solvent. I use a 3M product produced to degrease surfaces prior to using one of their adhesive tapes it apparently is isopropyl alcohol - works a treat.
Michael Gilligan	xvi/06/2015 22:49:04
19824 forum posts 1021 photos	No real aid, considering I've never got effectually to fixing it, just; here are a few pictures to evidence how nasty they can get inside ... This i felt simply a little sticky. MichaelG. Edited Past Michael Gilligan on 16/06/2015 22:54:16
Ajohnw	16/06/2015 22:53:44
3631 forum posts 160 photos	IPA is IsoPropyl Alcohol by the style. It can exist bought with fairly high purity of ebay. It'south not bad for degreasing things in general especially when rubbing with things like cotton wool buds and has survived the health and safe people so far but isn't as skilful equally what used to be about. I retrieve I have seen mention of people using acetone on here for degreasing. Not substance I am keen on due to fumes. Curiously window cleaner is water, ipa and a slight amount of some detergent. That might help. Lighter fuel is very effective merely do take a fleck of care with it. John - Edited By John W1 on 16/06/2015 22:55:24
V8Eng	sixteen/06/2015 23:01:08
1679 forum posts 1 photos	Acetone tin can attack some paints and plastics as well.
Ian S C	17/06/2015 11:04:49
7468 forum posts 230 photos	Use Acetone, only not smash polish remover, that'due south acetone plus some sort of oil. Ian S C
Swarf, Mostly!	17/06/2015 11:fifteen:14
631 forum posts 67 photos	I've bought IPA in half-litre cans from CPC. I believe the video cassette recorder head cleaner fluid that Tandy used to sell in 60 ml plastic bottles was also IPA. Best regards, Swarf, Generally!
David Clark i	17/06/2015 12:48:58
3357 forum posts 112 photos x manufactures	Use lighter fuel. We used it for many years and information technology worked well. Just squirt it downwardly the spindle pigsty.
Hopper	17/06/2015 12:49:17
5912 forum posts 232 photos	I've an old Mitutoyo service sail that instructs to clean and lube the stem with petrol only and to never put oil on the stalk. I have found it works ok on former dial gauges (Ane of which just happens to be an one-time .0001" Mercer that still is my precision "become to" in the workshop.) Edited Past Hopper on 17/06/2015 12:l:00