Often used where space is tight or there’s not much of a surface for mounting, the clamp on these indicators fits where a weighted or magnetic base can’t. The clamp also gives you the option to directly mount these indicators to a machine or the piece you’re measuring. With the ball-and-socket segmented arm, you can adjust the indicator to nearly any position to keep it from obstructing what you're measuring. Pull the lever to lock the arm in place when you're done. To measure objects, these indicators have a spring-loaded plunger that retracts and extends as the surface varies. It’s easy to see how much a measurement increases, since the dial is continuous and numbered clockwise around the face. Adjust the tolerance pointers to mark measurements that fall outside your limits.

Indicators with a plier clamp work on most thin, flat surfaces.