Etalon Indicating Micrometer

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Etalon Indicating Micrometer

Etalon 72.108669 metric 0-25 mm dial micrometer shown above

Etalon indicting micrometers (dial micrometers) were discontinued in 2021. According to the manufacturer they "lost a couple of key vendors, and there is no one (currently) that can make these... Also too complicated for the China factories..."

At Long Island Indicator Service we still have spare parts and the experience to repair and recondition these micrometers.

Etalon micrometer repair

Micro-Etalon indicating micrometers are high precision tools used for inspection of parts. The micrometer is always mounted on a stand so that both hands are free to insert, inspect, and remove the machined parts.

Manufactured in French-speaking Switzerland, Etalon dial micrometers (series 225) were indisputably the best quality micrometers. They can last a lifetime. Ask anyone who's ever owned one and you'll get nothing but raves.

The indicating micrometer (aka dial micrometer and super mike) features a movable anvil (on the left, above) which is retracted by pushing the button on the far left. The spindle on the right is operated like any micrometer. When you use it to set the required dimension, and lock it in place, you will be able to make parts comparisons using the dial (.0001" or .00005" and 0.002 mm or 0.001 mm). The hand (needle) will show deviations. On the .00005" dial, there are graduations to .001" in either direction. The anvil diameter is 6.5 mm.

These models have an improved spindle locking device which won't wear out like the old ones. Red and blue tolerance markers are adjustable and the dial can be rotated for fine adjustments. A built-in adjustable part support (also shown above) allows you to keep small parts at the right height, or it can be removed if it's in the way. This part support is not available with the pin-anvil model.

The spindle is designed to turn hard compared to regular micrometers. This is because the spindle is normally preset and locked into place.

The pin anvil micrometer has both anvil diameters reduced to 2 mm. Each is 5 mm long.

0 to 1"	.0001"	72.109835	discontinued
1 to 2"	.0001"	72.109841	discontinued
0 to 1"	.00005"	72.109837	discontinued
1 to 2"	.00005"	72.109843	discontinued
0 to .800" pin anvil	.0001"	72.109857	discontinued
0 to 25 mm	0,001 mm	72.108669	discontinued
25 to 50 mm	0,001 mm	72.108691	discontinued
0 to 25 mm	0,002 mm	72.108670	$1,695.00 (remaining stock is limited)

Specifications

For Series 225 indicating micrometers (all models):

Anvil diameter 6,5 mm
Anvil diameter 2,0 mm for the pin anvil style
Repeatability error of the dial indicator: half of one graduation.
Maximum thread error: .00008"
Maximum dial indicator error: .00004"
Measuring surfaces flatness: .000012"
Maximum parallelism fault of measuring surfaces: .00004" (.00006" for 1-2" model)
Anvil pressure is between 4.5 and 5.5 N but can be adjusted to as little as 0.9 N (use a Correx gage to calibrate anvil pressure)

Your micrometer will come with a manufacturer's declaration that the above mentioned specifications have been met using traceable national standards. No other form of certification is included.

Recommendations from the manufacturer

The manufacturer writes,

"Every micrometer is supplied ready for use and inspected. However, since they might get out of adjustment during transportation, we [Etalon] advise to check the zero-setting before use. We also firmly advise our customers not to dismantle the instruments needlessly. They need only be cleaned using pure benzene (see note) and periodically lubricated with a few drops of high quality purified oil. Check the zero-setting as often as necessary. The guarantee does not cover new measuring instruments dismantled by customers."

Please note, the use of some solvents will destroy the plastic red and blue markers as well as the plastic cover.

How to use an indicating micrometer

Place your Etalon indicating micrometer in a micrometer stand so that you have both hands free to work.

When you close the spindle on the micrometer to read zero on the barrel (the zero on the barrel coincides with the zero on the sleeve), then the dial hand ought to be near zero on the indicator dial.

Set the micrometer spindle to your ideal measurement. Let's say you are making pieces that must be .5000" in diameter: set the micrometer spindle to .5000"

Now tighten the spindle using the lever (don't force the lever or attempt to over-tighten), so that the spindle no longer moves.

Retract the movable anvil (the one above the dial) by pressing the button on the left side of the micrometer. The movable anvil will open slightly so that the gap is a little larger than .5000" This will allow you to insert a piece to be measured.

To verify the accuracy of your setting, insert a master (such as a gage block) between the anvils, resting on the support (which you have adjusted to fit your piece). Release the button, and the anvil will close on the gage block. The hand on the dial should read somewhere near zero. Make sure the block is firmly seated (you may have to wiggle it a bit) and then set the dial so that the hand is exactly on zero. Use the setting knob on top of the dial to make this adjustment.

Repeat several times to make sure you always get zero on the dial.

Now insert your piece to be tested. If it's exactly .5000" in diameter, the hand will also point to zero. If the hand is off, then that's the amount of error in your diameter. If the hand is under by 3 graduations, then your diameter is under by that amount, etc. You are in effect making a comparison measurement.

Repeat this procedure with all the pieces to be tested. Every now and then, reinsert the gage block to make sure the settings haven't changed.

Of course, if you don't see any hand movement on the dial, then something's wrong and we'll have to take a look at it.

See page 30 for information on how to get your Etalon micrometer repaired

A less expensive alternative

Mitutoyo (Japan) makes good indicating micrometers which cost from $200 to $300 less. A bargain-basement ($140) model made in China is available, which might be of use in some circumstances. They have to be treated as throw-aways though, since no spare parts are available for repairs.

Mitutoyo indicating micrometer on Amazon

Indicating micrometers made in Poland are also available as a cheap substitute ($250-$270). Like the Chinese models, these also have to be treated as throw-aways. Unlike the others, the anvil retracting button is located on the right side of the micrometer body. The indicating dial is considerably smaller. We don't offer these at this time.

Indicating micrometer anvil pressure adjustment

To calibrate or adjust the anvil pressure on an indicating micrometer you'll need a spherical steel ball smaller than 1" in diameter and a Correx gram force gage which has a range that will include your desired setting. Remember that 100 cN equals 1 N. The micrometer must be in a micrometer stand. Insert the steel ball between the anvil and spindle and turn the spindle so that the indicator hand is at zero. Press the surface of the anvil with the tip of the Correx gage until the ball falls. Take a reading on the force gage at that point. Repeat this process many times until you get consistent readings. It takes a bit of practice. For one thing, you must keep the Correx feeler at right angles to the micrometer anvil.

You can lessen the anvil pressure on an Etalon indicating micrometer by removing the end cap on the micrometer and loosening the large lock nut. The micrometer spanner wrench is used to do this. You'll find that you can bring the pressure down to about 1 N (=100 cN) without affecting micrometer function. This is particularly useful if measuring flexible or thin-walled tubing.

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Long Island Indicator Service

Long Island Indicator Service was founded in 1960. We provide professional repair service for precision measuring tools and gages with an emphasis on Swiss made test indicators, dial indicators, dial calipers and micrometers. We are pleased to be a recognized service partner for Brown & Sharpe.

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