Magnetic Back for Dial Indicator

thingiverse

This is a replacement base for a Chinese-made dial indicator allowing it to stick onto the ways of a lathe and measure carriage travel. It's very effective for making precise shoulder lengths and details on turned parts. To measure beyond the range of your indicator, simply move the carriage 9 thousandths and re-zero until you reach the desired dimension. There are several other designs for magnetic indicator bases available here, but I wanted one that would keep the indicator square with the lathe's ways to ensure accurate measurements. With many dial indicators, lathes, and magnet sizes available, be sure the dimensions fit your equipment. If necessary, adjust or add more magnets using the included Fusion 360 file. When modifying the magnet's dimensions, remember to leave clearance for it to press fully into the hole. For a mini lathe, consider mounting the base so the indicator sits to the right of the carriage. Space between the headstock and carriage is typically limited, making measurements near the chuck challenging.