Posts: 4,814
Threads: 1
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
I have a linear gauge from Grizzy that I've only used a couple of times. I never had a problem with it before, and it's been in the case for years. I pulled it out to check my TS fence alignment, and the plunger sticks -- stays wherever you leave it. It takes a fair amount of finger pressure to move it. There's no intentional lock mechanism on it that I can see. The back comes off easily, so I looked inside. I don't see anything broken or bent. No corrosion or anything like that.
Any chance I can get it operating smoothly again?
Thanks all.
Best,
Aram, always learning
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Web:
My woodworking photo site
Posts: 4,444
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
The only lock is the knurl for the dial face. I have not had a plunger stick, try WD-40 on the plunger. If that frees up the plunger then a drop of 3-in-1 oil should work.When you put it back in the case add a small bag of the stuff used in some medicine bottles to keep the product dry.A pharmacy may have it.Is it possible the plunger is bent? If so ,discard it.Unless you paid a lot of money the DI isn't worth fixing.
mike
Posts: 902
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2006
You have a broken plastic guide track that the guide pin for the plunger travels in. When a piece of the guide block breaks off, it allows the plunger to rotate and the plunger guide pin gets hung up enough so that the plunger will not return. Throw it away and buy a new one.
I have had two or three of the cheap indicators do this, and I no longer buy any of the Chinese made gauges as they don't hold up, even with light use.
Greg
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
Posts: 4,814
Threads: 1
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
10-30-2016, 04:01 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-30-2016, 04:22 PM by Aram.)
(10-30-2016, 03:52 PM)gregr Wrote: You have a broken plastic guide track that the guide pin for the plunger travels in. When a piece of the guide block breaks off, it allows the plunger to rotate and the plunger guide pin gets hung up enough so that the plunger will not return. Throw it away and buy a new one.
I have had two or three of the cheap indicators do this, and I no longer buy any of the Chinese made gauges as they don't hold up, even with light use.
Greg
Thanks! I was looking at that plastic thing, kinda wondering about that. It does look a little hacked up. Bet you are right.
Edit: It's not the plastic guide. It's also not the rack/pinion. I eliminated some possibilities by taking parts off. I think the plunger itself is sticking, maybe a little dirt, or burr, or a minuscule bend. Dunno. Tried cleaning and oiling it. No go.
Trash bin I guess.
Now all I need is a friend with a Starrett problem.
Best,
Aram, always learning
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Web:
My woodworking photo site
Posts: 20,381
Threads: 4
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: CinDay
Before you trash it, just a light tap....................
Worst thing they can do is cook ya and eat ya
GW
Posts: 31
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2012
Don't force it, use a bigger hammer!!!
Doing it right cost less than doing it over
Posts: 4,814
Threads: 1
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Thanks you guys, done. 8 pound persuader. Ignore any loud smashing tapping noises you might have heard....
Best,
Aram, always learning
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Web:
My woodworking photo site
Posts: 20,381
Threads: 4
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: CinDay
Did it at least make you smile???
If it did mission accomplished, nothing worse than a tool giving you a hard time, especially a new, hardly used one....
Worst thing they can do is cook ya and eat ya
GW
Posts: 4,262
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2001
Try a little transmission oil on the plunger. They can get sticky especially around coolant.
Tom