smaller dial-indicator?

[Tim Romano]

I need to make the blades parallel with the table on a vintage Craftsman/King-Seeley "alien" thicknessing planer. Problem: the distance between table and blade is maximum 2.25", so the typical dial indicator is too big.

A mini Rotacator (http://www.grizzly.com/products/Rotacator-For-Planers/G1738) or smaller Oneway MultiGauge (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003200/2681/Oneway-Multi-Gauge.aspx?refcode=05INFROO) with a longer tongue, or a slightly smaller magnetized base (http://www.mytoolstore.com/starrett/test10.html) with a side-mounted rod would work. I'm just getting into woodworking and am open to suggestions on how to set the blades -- already know about selling this and getting a lunchbox planer :-)

[Ken Deckelman]

A "DTI" or "Dial Test Indicator" may be what you are looking for, here is an example on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Surface-Smoothness-Dial-Test-Indicator/dp/B003N2GWJA). You can Google the term I put in bold for lots more examples.

[Bob Wingard]

Pound a hardwood dowel into a piece of 2X4 and cut the end of the dowel smooth & flat. Set it directly under the cutterhead at dead center and rotate the head manually. Bring the table/cutterhead together till the blade barely touches the dowel. Move it from side to side while rotating the cutterhead and you will feel the blade contactin the dowel. When they just "kiss" at both ends, you are close enough.

[Bruce Wrenn]

I need to make the blades parallel with the table on a vintage Craftsman/King-Seeley "alien" thicknessing planer. Problem: the distance between table and blade is maximum 2.25", so the typical dial indicator is too big. Most of the DI you are looking at are AG-2, with a 1" stroke. Look at an AG-1 with a 0.250" stroke. ENCO (USE-ENCO.com sells them, and quite often on sale. Item # TK605-4011, with points set $13.59. But a block of wood and some feeler gauges will also do the trick.

[Tim Romano]

Thanks for the suggestions and the links. I have to order a new belt before I can try them. I will report back how it goes. Have a Happy New Year.