Would you trust a rusty feeler gauge?

[ajchien]

Would you trust a rusty feeler gauge?

Even if I did take the rust off ... With a wire wheel or vinegar or evaporate, I'm not sure I'd be trusting the thickness...

 

[TwoInch]

grab your micrometer, and check it.

i like them bright chrome, so you get a feel for how it slides out. tho some of my older ones are not smooth and bright anymore. i do mic them on occasion to double check.

 

[TwoInch]

also, dont wire wheel them. if vinegar wont do it, you need some new ones.

 

[Rico.]

They cost Thrupence Ha'penny.... Go get a new one.

 

[Elroy]

grab your micrometer, and check it.

i like them bright chrome

Feeler gauges are simply polished and tempered. They're NOT chrome plated

 

[Toolhorder]

I'm glad your back Elroy!

 

[TwoInch]

Feeler gauges are simply polished and tempered. They're NOT chrome plated

whatever the finish is, i prefer them to be of the clean and bright.

thanks for the info tho, i never paid that much attention to what finish they were

i thought i remembered habing an old set that peeled. but i must be mixing something up in my head. makes sense now that it is brought to my attention.

 

[dledinger]

Depends on whether I am checking the spark plug in my weedeater, or adjusting some valves.

 

[LumpyMusic]

They cost Thrupence Ha'penny.... Go get a new one.

How may Thrupences in a Henway?


Lumpy
-
You looked goofy back then too
http://digitalcartography.com/camp/CraigPromo-Early.jpg

 

[larry_g]

Depends on whether I am checking the spark plug in my weedeater, or adjusting some valves.

Interesting concept. Which item is only worth a rusty feeler guage? Iron oxide makes a good abrasive so where ever you are using a rusty piece of steel you have no idea of what you dimension may be and you are introducing foreign material to a precision surface.

To me a rusty measuring tool is garbage can liner.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[alex71]

if they only have a light dusting of surface rust, just drag them over a scotchbrite pad a few times. scotchbrite, when used with some common sense will not remove any noticeable amount of material. a couple of tenths off your feeler gage will not make any difference in practical use.

or just replace them.

 

[2oolhound]

Like twoinch said, you go by feel when using feeler guages. You need to get used to how it nips the blade when sliding it in and out. Always use the same technique (and feel) and you'll be ok. A rusty of uneven surface is not good. If in doubt buy new and keep it oiled.

 

[dledinger]

Interesting concept. Which item is only worth a rusty feeler guage? Iron oxide makes a good abrasive so where ever you are using a rusty piece of steel you have no idea of what you dimension may be and you are introducing foreign material to a precision surface.

To me a rusty measuring tool is garbage can liner.

lg
no neat sig line

My point was....no way I'd use it on anything requiring any degree of precision. I usually "eyeball" small engine spark plugs. Likewise, I always used a matchbook on the points of my 68 Honda.

 

[supersteve]

Interesting concept. Which item is only worth a rusty feeler guage? Iron oxide makes a good abrasive

Sounds like a two-fer to me: he's gapping the plugs AND cleaning them.......

 

[metaldad]

My hands sweat alot.
I always wipe them off, and then a lite oil dressing when I'm done with mine.
As others have said, they are cheap enough. toss 'em when rusted.

 

[zjrog]

My boss found some feelers that were badly rusted. We had just setup our media blast cabinet and he likes using it for everything. Feelers are worthless if you can't read the thickness too.

 

[JDS968]

Toss 'em. The point of a feeler gauge isn't just the precision of the thickness, it's also the evenness and smoothness, so you can "feel" with them.