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Thread Gages: What To Know

Working inside an industrial facility, you come into contact with all types of machines and tools. You may work daily with milling machines, hydraulic cylinders, or laser-cutting machines. However, most, if not all, industrial facilities also use tiny components and tools for daily work, such as screws and gages. The gages you use to measure the individual "threads" on different screws are important; without them, it would take longer to get nuts, bolts, and screws to work together without problems. When dealing with them, think about these gage issues.

Using Proper Type

There may already be thread gages in your facility, even if you don't know one gage from another. Measuring screw threads with the incorrect type can produce inaccurate information. Ring gages are generally put to work when screw turn-per-inch details are required, while pitch diameter information is best determined by a plug gage. Familiarize yourself with the different types and learn how they're used so you can ensure your own results are correct.

Monitoring Gage Condition

Gages wear down like all the other machines and tools in your facility. Purchasing and keeping a so-called master plug can allow you to monitor and test gage conditions so that you can replace the objects when they're no longer calculating correctly.

Watching for Corrosion

Metal pieces like gages should always be protected against corrosion whenever possible. This means that you and others must remain vigilant about wiping down wet gages and venting the facility well so that humidity isn't a problem. You should also be wiping the gages periodically with oil-based wax. You may want to examine the market for gages that already have some anti-corrosive qualities so that you don't have to constantly concern yourself about rust.

Stocking Extra Gages

Your employees or co-workers are likely to need the same kinds of gages that you're using. Ensure that you have an accurate feel for how many gages of each type are being used on the floor every day and ensure that sharing isn't always necessary. This prevents work from slowing down and ensures no one is doing guesswork that could easily be eliminated with the right gage in hand.

Training People

Like yourself, many of your co-workers or employees may not be well-versed in gage practice and use. Hold short training sessions to introduce people to these tools and explain how they improve the work and output that happens in your facility.

These tips should help your thread gages last, but you can ask a thread gage provider like WESTport any questions you have about them. 

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