Customer Reviews

Grizzly G9849 Magnetic Base/Dial Indicator Combo - President's Special

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Before reviewing this item I should explain how I came to use it. I was reading a recent special issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Tablesaws 2004". In this magazine I found the article "19 Step Tune-up" by Paul Anthony. This article explained a lot to me and really emphasized the importance of keeping your tablesaw (and other tools) properly adjusted. He explained the many components of a tool that can be checked/calibrated using a dial indicator. I assumed throughout the article that he was probably using some $300 model that would forever be out of my reach. Imagine my surprise when he revealed that he was using the Grizzly dial indicator with magnetic base attachment, and that these items are precise and affordable on every budget!

Now for my review: Grizzly shipped my order in their usual speedy fashion and I have to say I am well pleased with this purchase. Once you hold this tool in your hands you understand that it is good quality without being frilly. The construction seems perfectly adequate, and my tests show this gauge to be quite precise as well. Within minutes after setting up my dial indicator I was able to determine that the aging blade on my tablesaw was no longer flat and needed to be replaced.

All in all, this is a smart buy that will allow you to fine tune your tools and check precise calibrations without hurting your pocketbook one bit.

I bought this to dial in the chuck on my drill press. It worked great! The magnetic base held extremely tight to the table. You can pay more for a dial indicator but you won't do any better.

One of the clamps broke after pretty minimal use. Contacted Griz and they got it corrected immediately, prompt and courteous customer service. Replacement clamp has worked fine.

Like others I find the indicator highly useful. The mount
is not quite as easy to use as I might like, but it's adequate.

The main thing I didn't realize is that the mounting hardware is very delicate---like another reviewer, I broke mine just by trying to tighten the indicator mount.

Grizzly customer service was just OK: both the part and the larger assembly were back ordered, so they charged me for another whole unit and will refund me when I return the broken unit. But it looks like I'll be out shipping one way, and I had to spend 30 minutes on the phone with customer service---a call I paid for.

Buy the tool, but when tightening the knobs, be very, very gentle.

This unit was an unexpected suprise. I needed an inexpensive dial indicator for automotive use occasionally at home, and ordered this one. It is accurate, well built, and far exceeded my expectations for this price. I will be looking to Grizzly again for more hand tools. Thank you.
Bob

The members are quite sturdy except for the plastic clamping screw. Just worried that it would break off easily if tightened too much

You can buy half of the product at Sears for about twice as much. Very pleased overall, although it is hard to get things tight by hand and I often had to use other tools to tighten the holders down.

I've noticed a lot of the complaints here are they over tightened and broke it. its a great tool for the money I have Starretts and a couple low cost ones. And they are just as accurate and fragile! You can't ding the tool because you tighten it like you have a pipe wrench when your dealing with a fine instrument that works in thousandths. BE GENTLY, like its its first time.

This "last word" indicator is an old-fashion mechanical unit. It works fairly well. I would not select it for everyday use in a busy shop, but for my home shop where it will see only mild use it is OK. I checked accuracy against thickness gages (leaf-type, for setting clearances) at .002, .005, .010, and .020, and it was quite good. The plastic case is reasonably sturdy.

Be careful when tightening down the indicator and different arms. The pieces are very fragile. I accidentally broke the coupling that holds the indicator on the arm. Grizzly doesn't sell any of the parts individually, so I'm left with a pile of metal and a worthless indicator.