text: how do one use/read a dial indicator when performing run-outs on a cylindrical pressure vessel? how does one use/read a dial indicator when performing run-outs on a cylindrical pressure vessel? zero out the indicator on the surface of the vessel. then as the vessel is turned (i am assuming that the vessel is on some sort of standard,i.e. v-blocks,etc.) you make note of the plus or minus deviations.