What Are the Advantages of pin gauge set？

What is a Pin Gauge?  

Pin gauges are precision cylindrical pins designed to inspect the inner diameters of a workpiece. They function similarly to Go and No-Go gauges, helping to determine if a hole falls within specified tolerances. Pin gauges are also used to check for geometric deviations and are particularly useful for verifying the straightness of deep holes.

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Pin gauges can be made from various materials, including steel, carbide, ceramic, zirconia, and hard metal alloys.  

- Steel  

- Ceramic (Zirconia)  

- Tungsten Carbide  

Pin gauges are available both individually and as sets. Sets typically contain a range of sizes with small increments, such as 0.01 mm or 0.001 mm, depending on the precision required. These small increments are crucial, as pin gauges are often used for measuring smaller holes that demand high precision and accuracy. Each pin is marked with its exact size for easy identification.

How to Use a Pin Gauge  

To use a pin gauge set, begin by inserting the smallest diameter pin gauge into the workpiece hole. Then, gradually insert larger pin gauges in order of size until you find the one that fits snugly in the bore. Do not force the pin gauge into the hole.  

The "Go" pin, which represents the lower limit of the bore, should fit smoothly without any force. The "No-Go" pin, representing the upper limit, should not fit, even with slight pressure applied. This method helps ensure that the hole is within the desired tolerance range.

Caring for Your Pin Gauge  

Regular maintenance and calibration are essential to ensure the accuracy of your bore inspections and extend the life of your pin gauge. Neglecting proper care can lead to unreliable measurements and early wear. Below are some key habits to help you maintain your pin gauge:  

Proper Usage  

Start by using your pin gauge correctly. Most pin gauges become inaccurate or damaged due to improper use. A common mistake is applying excessive force when inserting the pin gauge, which can alter its size or damage it. To avoid this, use a pin vise to handle the gauge. This reduces the impact of temperature changes from your hands and helps maintain the tool's precision.  

Proper Storage  

Proper storage is vital for extending the life of your pin gauge. Keep it protected from environmental factors like heat and moisture, which can affect its accuracy over time. We recommend using a dedicated container for your pin gauges. If you have a set, store each pin gauge in a separate small case to prevent contact and potential damage.  

Regular Maintenance  

Routine maintenance is crucial to ensure your pin gauge stays in good working order. Regularly inspect it for dirt, debris, and oil, as these can cause corrosion and affect performance. Keep the pin gauge clean and free from contaminants to ensure reliable measurements.  

Regular Calibration  

Calibration is essential to verify the accuracy of your pin gauge. While most manufacturers recommend calibrating once a year, the frequency should depend on how often the pin gauge is used. For tools with heavy usage, more frequent calibration is necessary to account for wear and tear. Regular calibration ensures the pin gauge remains accurate and reliable throughout its lifespan.  

Besides inspection of small holes, pin gauges can be used in many other ways:

- Distance between holes

- Calibrating micrometers

- Width of a groove

- Acceptance judgement

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- Dovetail

- Inspection of engine parts

- Overpin diameter of gear

- Deflection of gear

What is pin gauge and how are they used?

Pin gauges check holes or features are the correct diameter, in some cases up to 3 decimal places. It has a cylindrical body machined so a very specific diameter. Each pin gauge has a set length of 50mm. A distinction to make is that pin gauges should only be used to accurately measure diameter and not length.

A pin gauge can be used in isolation to gauge or inspect a hole diameter, or in tandem with a pin gauge handle to make a go/no-go gauge. In most situations, the actual diameter will be the smaller sized 'go' gauge and the 'no-go' gauge will be a size slightly larger than the 'go' gauge. Pin gauges are also available in sets for where various sized holes need to be checked.

What different types of pin gauge are available?

As standard, pin gauges are made from a hardened alloy steel (hardened to HRc62-65). These pin gauges can be made to any size with up to 3 decimal places of accuracy from as small as 0.2mm up to 30mm. Hardened steel pin gauges conform to a grade 1 standard, making them ideal for both workshop and inspection-grade applications.

Besides steel pin gauges, cCeramic pin gauges are also available. Ceramic pin gauges have the advantage of being extremely wear resistant, corrosion resistant and have superior dimensional stability. ceramic pin gauges are also used where steel gauges cannot be used (such as in food produce, medical and aerospace industries) due to the conductivity of metals. However, ceramic pin gauges can only be made to 2 decimal places of accuracy. In most general applications, alloy steel pin gauges will suffice and the extra cost of ceramic pin gauges would be unnecessary.

Both steel and ceramic pin gauges can be supplied either individually or as sets with pre-determined sizes. Each set will contain a range of sizes and steps (could be either 0.1mm or 0.01mm steps depending on accuracy required). Pin gauge sets can be supplied in either 31, 41, 51 & 101 piece sets which will each cover a different diameter range. Standalone wooden boxes are also available should bespoke sized sets be required.

Furthermore, each pin gauge is supplied with a manufacturer's inspection certificate which will detail the internal testing completed by the manufacturer. It will contain the actual measurements of that specific gauge and the tolerance with which it falls into. However, this is not equal to a UKAS standard of calibration, which will need to be completed separately. For more information on calibrating your pin gauge, please contact Cutwel today.

What is a plain plug gauge and how are they used?

Aesthetically, plain plug gauges look strikingly similar to thread plug gauges. However, plain plug gauges are designed for gauging the hole size of an unthreaded hole. A plain plug gauge would typically be used to check the fitment of a pin or dowel to a given tolerance. In most applications, a plain plug gauge would be used to verify the size of a hole (or minor diameter of a bore) before it is threaded. A thread plug gauge would then verify the thread size of the same hole.

Up to 50mm diameter, plain plug gauges are double ended, meaning one end is a 'go' gauge (the gauge that should fit inside a hole) and the other a 'no-go' gauge (the gauge that should not fit inside a hole). Above 50mm, the gauge will consist of two separate bodies; one body containing the 'go' gauge and the other the 'no-go' gauge. Both the 'go' and 'no-go' gauge will be made of a hardened steel substrate (HRc60-62) and will typically be to a H7 tolerance.

Custom gauges are available on request. This includes different tolerance classes for very specific or tight-fitting parts (e.g. H8, H9), as well as diameters to 3 decimal places of accuracy (e.g. 19.003mm) and different lengths.

Furthermore, each plain plug gauge is supplied with a manufacturer's inspection certificate which will detail the internal testing completed by the manufacturer. It will contain the actual measurements of that specific gauge and the tolerance with which it falls into. However, this is not equal to a UKAS standard of calibration, which will need to be completed separately. For more information on calibrating your plain plug gauge, please contact  w.