Feeler Gauge sets, can they be saved?

[Recoil Rob]

The SO chest I just cleaned up came with a lot of tools, many are in need of a clean up.

Among all this stuff are 4-5 sets of different types of feeler gauges and they all have some degree of corrosion. They be cleaned up with some Kroil and steel wool but it occurred to me they mayl be a bit thinner once the corrosion is removed. I guess I could mic them after cleaning but don't want to waste the time if it's futile. Anyone tried this?

 

[bw77]

I have a 40 year old Craftsman feeler gauge. It was rusted shut, soaked it in vinegar a few times, cleaned it up. The markings were worn off, so I mic-ed each leaf and labelled with a marker pen. Works good now. I wanted to keep it just because it was made in USA and the current Cman are not. Not sure that it is worth the effort if your time is limited.

 

[kartracer55]

I would probably just toss it to be honest. The way I see it, if you are doing something that requires the use of a feeler gauge, why would you want to use a feeler gauge that is kinda sorta accurate?

 

[4x4gearhead]

I would also just throw them away, even the chinese ones are accurate, Ive mic'd them. I keep my feeler gauges oil soaked, when I do a valve job I leave all the oil that collects on them to keep them from rusting, especially in the winter when my tools get transferred into a van with all the moisture and frost from sitting over night.