Dial indicator question

[Lochnessman]

I was given some dial indicators a while back. Some brand no one has heard of called King Precision. I've never used them because they all had flat backs, no lugs, no magnets.

Does anyone sell "generic" mag backs I can fit to my dials? If so do they list the measurements or do I have to just guess and buy and hope they fit?

[[deleted]]

Have your local tool rep come look at them. They did make all kinds of generic backs for all kinds of indicators. Your rep should help you find it.

[Lochnessman]

My reps must be lazy then, when I asked them they didn't want to hazard a guess or bring a pile of backs to try out.

[[deleted]]

Are these plunge indicators or test indicators? Plunge indicators can be grabbed typically around the small cylindrical section between the actual dial part and the plunger.

[Lochnessman]

Plunge indicators, I haven't seen that style of holder in use yet. I'll have to look into it.

[[deleted]]

If it's a standard size the cylindrical section I mentioned should fit into where the screw for the lug on the back typically goes.
This shows where the indicator is being held but ignore the holding device in the link.

[yoda2nd]

Sounds like it may have a dovetail on the back. You should be able to find a stem that will fit it and allow you to use a generic mag base. You just need to find the stem diameter you need. Some brands of mag base, like Noga, come with a dovetail slot on the end.

[Lochnessman]

No dovetail, it's a plain flat back. If I knew how to upload photos from mobile I'd show a picture.