Parallel Taper Gage vs pin gages

Jabezkin

Member
I have tubing and ball micrometers (how else do you measure insert bearings?), didn't know the 247D existed. Also have a four-piece set of ball gauges and they're handy in their own right.
First year I was in the trade I spent all my Overtime money on tools.
40 years later....”OH. LOOK AT THAT”
 
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Joshua

Taco Aficionado/Salish Sea Pirate/Part-Time Dragon
Where I work ball mics are mandatory for measuring pipe wall thickness prior to welding. I’ve seen a few of those Starrett 247D get knocked off and lost in the bilge. The pipe fitters are always grumpy and greasy after going for a “bilge dive”.
 

Jabezkin

Member
To check the female end of a pump bowl before you put it in the lathe.
then it is a one setup instead of 2 set up job.
 

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
Adjustable parallels are a must in a machinist's tool chest. Those and telescoping gages were among my first purchases as an apprentice. Small hole gages came a little later; dial bore gages later yet.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington

This is what I learned as a taper gauge, 56 years ago. The sides are parallel, but the thickness varies. As it is placed in the hole, the thickness of the side make the gauge insert farther or less. Then you read the scale. FWIW
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
The advantages of the taper gauge is that one tool will do a range of holes, is fast to use and accurate. The disadvantage is that it only works if the hole is almost exactly square with the surface, can only take the measurement at one point of the hole the outer edge and is easily abused.

Pin gauges can find tapers in holes, test the whole lengths and have other uses. The disadvantages are that a set is more expensive, are slower to use and you have to use at least two to find the exact size (one that fits and one too large).
 

Charles Graff

Moderator Emeritus
And these can find a high or low spot in a bore. Along with seeing if there is a taper. Most holes need a couple of pins to see if there is any taper.
Both help find a problem.
Yes, they are very useful tools. I bought my first couple in 1970 and have filled out the set. I was living in Odessa Texas which was the center for the oil field service industry during one of the oil field bust cycles. The pawn shops had a good supply of good quality machinist tools at about 25% of retail. I stocked up on mics, gauges and such while the getting was good. I consider good measuring tools to be essential tools for the handloader. I got my first Starrett mic in 1961. I consider a 1" mic, adjustable hole gages, tubing mic or a set of calipers to measure case length essential tools.
 
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Jabezkin

Member
Yes, they are very useful tools. I bought my first couple in 1970 and have filled out the set. I was living in Odessa Texas which was the center for the oil field service industry during one of the oil field bust cycles. The pawn shops had a good supply of good quality machinist tools at about 25% of retail. I stocked up on mics, gauges and such while the getting was good. I consider good measuring tools to be essential tools for the handloader. I got my first Starrett mic in 1961. I consider a 1" mic, adjustable hole gages, tubing mic or a set of calipers to measure case length essential tools.
I was in LA......lots of pawn shops.
Bought a 0-1 Etalon in 1980.......trust it absolutely
 

Jabezkin

Member
Te
Etalon is "top of the line" measuring instruments. Same as B&S and TESA.
Never used a mic that was better. And I was grinding on a ID/OD grinder with a granite bed. A Studer.
Etalon had a nice for quick measurement that was .100 per revaluation.
Great for most things. But the price NOW!!!!