What is a Lever Dial Gauge?

A Lever Dial Gauge, commonly known as the Dial Test Indicator, is designed to probe surfaces that cannot be reached with a normal dial gauge. It is useful both for alignment and measurement purposes.

A Lever Dial Gauge has a stem, dial face, bezel, pointer and stylus.

There are 3 important factors that must be kept in mind while using the Lever Dial Gauge:

• The sensitivity is inversely proportional to the length of the stylus fitted i.e., short styli give a higher sensitivity
• The Scale graduation is only correct for certain stylus length, due to cosine effect.
• The measurement force varies inversely with stylus length.

What are the Various Types of Lever Dial Gauges Available?

There are various types of Lever Dial Gauges available:

• Horizontal with Short Stylus
• Horizontal with Long Stylus
• The Horizontal 20° Tilted Face is designed so that one can easily view the dial. The dial face obliquely faces upward, allowing users to read the graduations from the user’s side.
• The Parallel Type of Lever Dial Gauge allows for the scale to be read from the front, with the stylus pivoting in a plane parallel to that of the dial face.
• In the Universal Type of gauge, the direction of the probe can be easily changed.

Dial test indicators with ruby contact points are available in the horizontal (Standard type). Artificial rubies are used to enhance the sensitivity of lever indicators by allowing extremely small bearing areas at the pivot. Ruby contact points can be beneficial because they are more resistant to wear when compared to carbide which are also used and can also be used on electrical discharge machines without special precautions.

How to use the Lever Dial Gauge?

• Test for the direction and extent of movement by pushing the stylus gently with a fingertip.
• Adjust the position of the stylus by gently pushing against the resistance of the friction clutch.
• Twist the bezel by hand to set to the zero point.
• You can fix the lever dial gauge to a height gauge or a magnetic stand, a great option in the Jafuji Magnetic V Holder.
• Tighten the knob and clamp before measurement.

To know a more detailed version on how to use a Lever Dial Gauge, kindly view this video: 

Are there any accessories for the Lever Dial Gauge?

There are several accessories that can be bought to complement the use of the tool. Some of them are:

• Styli – There are various types of styli available with ball points of different diameters (ø0.5 mm, ø0.7 mm, ø 1 mm, ø2 mm) etc. The ball points are usually made up of carbide or ruby.
• Stems with knurled clamp ring, these are used to hold the Lever Dial Gauge in the clamps or Magnetic Stands.
• Holding Bars are available in 9×9 mm, 8 mm diameter etc.
• Swivel Clamps which can be used with the holding bars.
• Universal Holder – Using a Universal Holder allows cantering a hole easily. The dial face always faces upward when the indicator is rotated. 

Bombay Tools Supplying Agency Pvt. Ltd has an extensive range of Lever Dial Gauges and their accessories available with them. To know more details please feel free to reach out to us on info@btsa.in.