Qnkaa Dial Indicator with Magnetic Base Holder

Curated from 134 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 5, 2025

Qnkaa Dial Indicator with Magnetic Base Holder

Brand: Qnkaa
Price: $37
Snoop Score:
7.7
Sentiment
8.9
Popularity
9.0
Technical
7.1

Snoop's Take

The Qnkaa Dial Indicator with Magnetic Base Holder is a precision measuring tool designed for accurate leveling and alignment tasks. With a measuring range of 0-10mm and a graduation of 0.01mm, it is ideal for both professional and hobbyist applications. Users have expressed high satisfaction with the Qnkaa Dial Indicator, noting its effective manual leveling solution and strong magnetic base for stability. "It can reduce the points of failure," remarked one satisfied customer, highlighting the product's precision and functionality. Additionally, the inclusion of multiple test tips adds to its versatility, making it a great choice for various measuring needs. Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback and high precision measurement capability, the Qnkaa Dial Indicator is recommended for anyone in need of an affordable and reliable measurement tool. Its strengths in improving leveling accuracy and durability make it a solid addition to any toolkit.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Dial Indicators

So “simple” yet brilliant.

Positive Feedback

the part that holds the dial indicator on the fan allows the dial indicator to slide a lot and very easily.

Negative Feedback
Product
7.7
Qnkaa Dial Indicator with Magnetic Base Holder
Automotive Inspection
3 / 10
Industrial Calibration
3 / 10
Machine Shop Tooling
3 / 10
Quality Control
3 / 10
See how this compares to all Dial Indicators

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Simple design for bed leveling
So “simple” yet brilliant.
I’ll give something that looks this well designed as this a shot for all of $0.
Effective manual leveling solution
If your bed is coming unlevel on its own, then it's doing it mid-print too.
I literally installed it and haven't had one issue (knock on wood) haven't leveled my bed in probably over a year.
High satisfaction with functionality
It can reduce the points of failure.
Transformed my cr10. Do it.
High precision measurement capability
In most situations that is probably a bit overkill tbh.
Online reviews seem to indicate people go batty for it.
Accurate to 5 seconds per year.
Dials look great with the 3D effect below the indices.
Strong magnetic base for stability
Looks nice.
Includes multiple test tips for versatility
Wow, that's super cool!!! I'm surprised it fits so well.
Effective for improving leveling accuracy
The less the axes need to move to compensate for warpage and out of parallelism the better.
Affordable pricing for beginners
you don't need to go crazy on a dial, especially if you're just starting out.
An el cheapo 0-1 is perfect for the lathe.
These are extremely cheap and built really well surprisingly.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Issues with dial indicator slipping
the part that holds the dial indicator on the fan allows the dial indicator to slide a lot and very easily.
Requires some manual adjustments
It works great. But some manual leveling is required.
Requires careful manual adjustments
Is the bar that moves on the z-axis - leveled too?
Inductive sensor was just far faster and easier once set up.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
General interest in innovative fastening technology
I am really interested in how that could be used on other types of bolts...
I'm thinking the PLI washers are probably more reliable indicators of bolt tension?
They make special torque wrench for it too that know how far they've been rotated after the desired initial torque is reached.
Discussion on the accuracy of different types of dial indicators.
Can a needle/lever test indicator do the same tasks accurately as to a plunger type dial indicator?
You can be more accurate with a test indicator, you just have far more limited range.
Lever style indicators are generally more sensitive than plunger style indicators, but they have some drawbacks.
Discussion on USA dial indicator preferences
USA dial indicator preference? Aside from starrett, is Federal, Central or Brown and Sharpe a better brand?
The best USA dials are the ones made in Switzerland.
Real ones. So many fake companies make those and it is vastly inferior to real ones.
Brown and Sharpe was probably one of the best on the planet years ago.
Need for both types of indicators in machining
Aim small miss small. If you've got .005" for work with shoot for 0.0 and save that .005" for "speed holes" hahahaha.
Importance of the holder over the indicator
Honestly, the holder is probably more important than the actual indicator.

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion on different bed leveling methods
It's an amazing printer when it works but all the stupid QC issues are infuriating.
Mesh bed leveling does work well for me on my warped bed, so I have no real need to upgrade.
The color and texture on this dial is truly beautiful — it’s like a beach of emerald sand.
Use of dial indicators in various applications
You have some adamantium blades or something we all don't know about???
Exploration of alternative tension measurement methods
I think it was more than 10x cost of regular bolts.
These are for situations where you need a very specific clamping load regardless of the specific conditions of each bolt or application.
For instance in nuclear we almost always spec elongations instead of torques.
Considerations for leveling accuracy in 3D printing applications.
Yes.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Discussion on reading dial indicators
How to read 0.0005 dial indicator? Could someone explain to me how to read a 0.0005 dial indicator?
Each tick is 0.0005"
Don't let the "small numbers" confuse ya...
The exact same way? It just had numbers either side for when you’re going minus on the dial
General interest in dial indicators
That's a good idea
Pretty cool! Wish i had one of these last time i was leveling the printingbed!
My wife won't pat my back, just eye rolling and a kiss on my forehead.
Discussion on acceptable tolerance levels for measurements
It was way off, this is the closest I could get.
*real* close is plenty close enough.
Is this dude making aerospace parts out of wood?
Your profile picture is cursed.
Curiosity about securing components during use
Tape is just holding the ribbon cable in place, since the extruder has been removed to mount this dial indicator.
Discussion on pricing of dial indicators
Reliable and "affordable" Dial Indicator.
https://www.itm.com/product/mitutoyo-64pka079-dial-test-indicator-and-magnetic-stand-tool-set?gclid=
Fowler, Starrett, Mitutoyo.
thanks guys, i might go with the fowler, i dont need a dial indicator that often.
Preference for 1 inch over 10mm versions
Any reason for for 1 inch over 10mm version which are usually slightly cheaper?
1" dials are just a pretty standard part of machinist kit.
Discussion on affordability of dial indicators for hobbyists
I'm looking for something in the range of 50$ but I'm hesitant to buy a used one as I have no way of evaluating its quality.
For a hobbyist, Fowler will work just fine. I have one that I use for quick checks.
Cheap dial indicators will work just as well as expensive ones.
You can pick up a used Mitotuyo or B&S for $50.
Preference for high-quality brands like Starrett and Mitutoyo
Buy once, use forever.
Discussion on intended use for dial indicators
If you are doing really tight precision work, imo the order to buy in.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Discussion about the lifespan of dial indicators
Co workers dial indicator graveyard
This definitely indicates something
Single use dial indicators?
Discussion on trading indicators and their accuracy
Tried it this morning, made 80p effortlessly, and EURUSD seems to follow the pattern very well.
I like to use a SuperTrend with direction change alerts on a low time frame, or on daily timeframe for longer plays.
Backtesting I have found Supertrend to be pretty damned good.
I’ve heard supertrend is not that accurate and have somewhat witnessed myself.
Discussion about torque measurement reliability
Bolt stretch is a reliable way to calculate preload because the bolt is essentially a super stiff spring.
Basically if you have some monkey over tighten them and the metal is stressed into the plastic deformation range than the bolt stretches and the indicator shows that the bolt is loose again.
They would take normal bolts and pre stress them as part of the modification.
It indicates bolt preload nearly exactly, which is something that you can only approximate with torque.
Concerns over durability and accuracy of indicators
The biggest problem with these is that they will eventually fail and stay black even if they are loose.
Plus when it gets dirty it will look black even when loose.
These are great and all until you have that one guy give it the ol’ extra twist and stretch the mechanism on the inside.
Discussion on reliability of dial indicators
Thinking about just getting a magnetic base from harbor freight but I want a good dial indicator that will last.
If you need more dependability I like starrett analogue most.

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