Grim Reaper Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I want to make some extended dial gauge pointers/styli to use when setting up valve lift, DVA's webpage mentions using tig wire. Not having a TIG welder I do not have any of this to hand. Can anyone tell me what type/diameter wire I should be looking for (1.6/2.4/3.2) and what the thread size is on a typical dial gauge end so I can find a tap to thread it so it will screw in in place of the existing tips? Or could I buy some threaded rod to do the same thing? Again I need a thread spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I bought some 2.3mm brass rod form a local tool shop and filed/sanded the business end hemispherical so that it slides smoothly on the surface being measured. Thread was 2.5 x .45mm which fits okay but may not be exactly correct. Model engineering suppliers are good for these sorts of materials. I made up a selection of lengths for various jobs, a long one to find TDC and shorter to suit measuring valve lift on the 16 valve C20XE Vx. (you need at least two gauges to do this job). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Reaper Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Yes, I have a couple of analogue gauges already and found these were not easy to use (ie difficult to read and kept moving when I set zero pointer), so I've just ordered a pair of digital ones for the valves and I'll use one of the analogue ones for the TDC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I still have a piece of the rod I used. It's 2.4mm and carries the marking "FA4316 3081" (I think -- it's none too clear). I got it from the local steel stockist. IIRC, I didn't cut a thread in the rod, but simply let it cut its own by screwing it carefully into the gauge. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I'm not sure you'll find a digital gauge any less variable than the analogue as the underlying mechanism is the same. Its most important that the end of the measuring rod is smoothly rounded so it can slide easily on the surface. Also, the gauge must be mounted so that its movement is in precisely the same direction as the cam follower, piston etc and doesn't have to slide. Takes a bit of setting up but, once its done, most of the measurement errors/problems go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 ...I've just ordered a pair of digital ones for the valves...Probably too late now, but the job is possible with just one digital gauge. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elan_fan Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Trot down to halfords and go to the bike bit and ask them for 3 or 4 stainless bicycle spokes. They even come with the correct thread on the end. Cut and bend to shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Richard Price Posted January 25, 2014 Area Representative Share Posted January 25, 2014 bicycle spokes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Reaper Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 If I get two dial gauges I can do both inlet and exhaust at the same time. Spokes...See i knew it wasn't a stupid question...Genius! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elan_fan Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Spokes work well and the short lengths used for the followers are very rigid. I used them to good effect. I cannot take any credit though as the lengths are dva and the idea of spokes I found on here somewhere. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbutnotslow Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 You will find that a wire coat hanger is just oversize so a little sanding should give you a nice tight fit in the threaded end of the DTI You can then cut to length and round the end off so that you avoid scratching. I have used this for many years now. Simples Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Reaper Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Went to Halfords, asked if they sold spokes.. 'What do you want them for?' (like they are under the counter items or something?) I produce one of my dial test gauges.. 'for this!' 'What's that for?' 'Measuring things!' 'Oh, 50p each.' 'I'll take three'... and they fit perfectly. Thank you Blatchat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 (like they are under the counter items or something?) 😬 JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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