Trust Your Feeler Gauges?

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Do you see the problem in this picture?

IMG_0676_zpsibpfwgmp.jpg


IMG_0677_zps99qogo9w.jpg


IIRC these were made by Kosman, all the other gauges check good.
I thought maybe there were two stuck together, but that is not the case.
 
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Are those 90deg feelers?

At my work, they are checked and certified (calibrated) every 6mo. Prior to that, each operator checked the final stack-up with a caliper to ensure accuracy. The caliper was calibrated.
 
Originally Posted By: dubie2003
Are those 90deg feelers?

At my work, they are checked and certified (calibrated) every 6mo. Prior to that, each operator checked the final stack-up with a caliper to ensure accuracy. The caliper was calibrated.


No I bent it so you could see the marking on it. At my work our tools are all calibrated, but I'm not at work.

Anyways, I dug the feeler out of the trash because I was still wondering if there were two 0.003's stuck together. Sure enough, after fiddling, bending and twisting, I got the two to pop apart with a snap. I think they were doubled up when they were punched out, fusing the edges.
 
Oil on the blades of a new set of feelers has caused many of the thinner ones to stick together, giving false readings. I try to fan out a new set and wipe each blade with degreaser to avoid surface tension stickiness.
 
When I had my 89 Accord I had to mess with periodic lash adjustments. I found that go-no-go feeler gauges were a lot easier for me than the single measurement version.
 
Originally Posted By: chestand
Oil on the blades of a new set of feelers has caused many of the thinner ones to stick together, giving false readings. I try to fan out a new set and wipe each blade with degreaser to avoid surface tension stickiness.


I'm familiar with oil causing them to stick together. I think these were fused together on the edges, perfectly aligned.
 
I trust the 'sheet metal' feelers as far as accuracy, as long as their not stuck together.
Each individual shim has its size 'acid etched' on it.

Several years ago, I bought a set of 'wire gages' (mounted to round disc) at Auto Zone.
Foreign made.

The .025" measured .030" / the .030" was .030"
I took them back and the employee said they were OK for checking plugs.
He knew about these things because at his other job, he's a machinist.

I complained to store Manager, he thought the same thing.

I got a refund and went to NAPA.
Made in USA and very accurate.

I also bought spark plugs.
Upon inspecting the electrode with a magnifying glass, I could see when they were made, the cutting tool must of been chipped.

Moral of the story, Take the time to inspect what you buy.
No matter where it's made.

* Shake that oil filter - anything loose
* Inspect with magnifying glass - how's the finish
* Look at tamper seals on oil bottles - Have they been broken
 
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