save dial indicator

When I worked in the shop we would blast 'em with WD40. If that did not do it either toss 'em or if worth keeping, send 'em somewhere for rebuild. You should be able to unscrew the back to see the innards, depending on the type. If water based coolant even a dip in warm water, followed by some WD40 probably would not hurt it any more than what damage is done already. Greg

I've got a box of funky indicators. Some repairs have attempted, some successfully. I've sent good ones out. Once one sticks and ruins a part it goes in the box. I wonder who will throw them away.

I haven't tried it, but this sounds like an excellent job for an ultrasonic cleaner. Just add a bit of dish soap to the bath, and it should scrub the innards nice and clean. Of course, it will strip all lubercation from the mechanism, so you'll have to put a little light oil on the gearing before assembly.

Good luck!

Basically what you'll find inside is a very fine-thread rack and pinion. You might be successful in cleaning the pair with something or other, but all traces of residue should be removed before closing it up again. Now is you had some very good quality instrument oil, (Starret ?) you might try it. Otherwise, leave it clean and dry.

When I worked in the shop we would blast 'em with WD40. If that did not do it either toss 'em or if worth keeping, send 'em somewhere for rebuild. You should be able to unscrew the back to see the innards, depending on the type. If water based coolant even a dip in warm water, followed by some WD40 probably would not hurt it any more than what damage is done already. Greg

Now there's something I wouldn't have thought of. I'll put it in my cleaner and give it a try.

Karl

Some of the dails have white paint that dissolves in alcohol and acetone. Test in a corner before you dunk it. Regards, Charlie

Karl,

Cut open that funny little bent piece of tubing so's the ultrasons can get in and clean it up inside.

Now there's something I wouldn't have thought of. I'll put it in my cleaner and give it a try.

Karl

For cleaning stuff and leaving NO residue try alcohol, preferably 90%, followed by acetone followed by Xylene which takes out all acetone and leaves no residue. Followed by proper lube of course. ;)

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Good gracious! (or other phrase, as suits you) Do not use dish-soap, unless you want the springs to rust away to nothingness.

Open the back, do not fiddle with anything else, and spray a little bit of electronic contact cleaner on the rod, inside and outside the case. That should free it up enough without further work, unless you have left it underwater for a half a day or so. Then a drop (one) of light oil on the operating rod, and let it run down inside the rod-guide. move the rod in and out a few times, and you should have it.

If that doesn't do all you expect, remove the bezel and crystal, and the hand(s) merely pop off their spindle(s), releasing the face . THEN, you may dunk and spritz in your favorite solvent. (Carb-cleaner spray, from AdvanceAuto parts store works pretty good). Then just a tiny touch of watch and clock oil on each bearing, a bit of oil on the operating rod, reassemble.

No point in total disassembly of the unit, unless you are prepared to chase little parts and springs. In that case, remember function follows form. If you do choose to do a complete strip and wash, remember carefully what went where. And HOW. Some of those little devils with multiple hands and long-travel are tricky.

Good luck.

Flash

i didn't bother. just took back off and dropped it in. Set it on top of SO's oven to dry. A little dab of oil here and there. Werks lik knew!

Karl

It sounds as though you are thinking of a pressure gauge, not a dial indicator.

I've cleaned sticky dial indicators with acetone or similar things (Freon TF back when it was available) avoid getting the acetone on the dial face or the crystal, and then re-lube with watch oil or Starrett M1 instrument oil.

But usually -- the problem area is the bearings for the push rod where they enter the case, not other parts of the indicator.

Enjoy, DoN.

Usually the back come off very easily and gives access to most of the works without risk of "all the springs flying out". Then you can apply cleaning slovents and lubes where it appears needed.

Jon

Absolutely don't DUNK! Apply small amounts of solvent with a stick, small eyedropper or Q-tip. Work the mechanism back and forth a bit and repeat. This has fixed a number of old, sticky indicators.

Jon