Noga MG61003 Heavy Duty Dial Gage Magnetic Base w/Metal Fine Adjust

I don't do a lot of reviews, and I'm not compensated, remunerated, given products etc. for this review.I've had two dial indicator bases for the past couple years that I use to set woodworking and cnc machines in my "heavy" hobby woodshop. "Heavy" meaning I don't make my living at woodworking but I do make some supplemental money here and there.Anyway, the bases came from an import tool store that specializes in inexpensive (cheap) tools. Over the past few years, I've just gotten so tired of cheap tools that I thought I would spring on this Noga heavy duty base. There is really no comparison to the cheap bases. This one is sturdy. The magnet is very very solid on a metal table. The arm is equally solid once locked. Basically, I lock the base down, loosen the knob a little bit (one knob locks the whole thing), position the indicator where I want it, hold it there and twist the knob with the other hand. Rotate the indicator dial to zero, and if I need to fine tune zero I do it with the fine adjustment on the holder for the indicator. Boom... done. Solid as a rock and really can't think of any way it would be better.If you are a first time base buyer and are comparing this with one of the cheaper multi-knob versions, save yourself the frustration and just buy this one now. To adjust the other ones it's lock the magnet, adjust one arm to about the right spot, then adjust the second arm, then adjust the dial indicator itself. That throws the first two adjustments out of kilter so you basically repeat the same process. Time consuming and irritating. And, on top of that, it will move if you bump it and you get to start over. The Noga would move with a hit too, but it would have to be much harder.If you have one of the other bases already and are considering upgrading to this, it is well worth the money. WELL worth the money...I'm not sure what a professional machinist would say about it, but I am very pleased. In fact, going to buy another one when I scrape the money together and eliminate the other cheap base.

My cheap magnetic base never worked well and finally just quit working. Reviews seemed to indicate that this was a good one so I tried it and it is great. I have used it with a dial indicator to accurately identify TDC and to adjust valves on engines and it eliminates the guesswork for both. I don't feel like I need a three hands anymore and the job goes so much faster. This base has the strongest pull of any base I have used and has been very helpful.

I have used the rigid type and the flexible types and both have disadvantages. The rigid types are strong but don't offer the ability to get in tight spots and the flexible ones offer that ability but over time the internal cable becomes loose and in some instances breaks. The Noga offers the ability to get in tight spots while being solid! I'll probably buy another at some point!

Worth the price over the cheap imitations. Locks up solid and the magnet is very strong. Overall it is a very high quality tool.

This is a great indicator holder. Far better the the HF holders I have been using. More expensive than Harbor Freight, but worth the price for precision work. I'll be looking for different sizes of the Noga holders.

overall everything looks good but this holder looks used even though i paid for it as new there are scratches on the front cover and this holder is all dirty and my hands were all covered in fuel oil during inspection

I'm getting into hobby machining and have heard nothing but positive things about Noga dial gage magnetic bases. In fact, I was so confident about these I ordered two. They live up to the hype: this is a FANTASTIC tool. Having only one knob to adjust the entire arm is a joy to use. The fine tip adjustment knob works very well, too. (The only small gripe: adjusting the arm's postion right out of the box is a little stiff. Spend a few mintes to disassemble, lubricate, re-assemble and rotate the arm around a few times and it's like buttah.) If you're on the fence about what dial gage base to buy, give these a try. I think you will find them a great addition to your shop.

Great product if your a machinist looking for this product.