Important Thread Gage Maintenance To Remember
If you measure pitches of fasteners all the time with thread gages, you probably want to protect this instrument as best you can because then you won't be forced into buying replacements often. Here are some proven maintenance steps that work well with thread gages.
Clean Oils Quickly
You'll probably have different substances collect on your thread gages over time, especially if you tend to use them around dirty conditions. Just make sure you pay particular attention to oil. If left untreated, it can break down your gages' protective finish and subsequently leave it more exposed to damage.
If you ever use a thread gage on a fastener and oil residues are left over, make sure you clean them off as best you can. Microfiber towels should do the trick, as they absorb all of the oil to leave behind a perfectly intact thread gage.
Try Handling Gages by Their Ends
There are multiple points on a thread gage you can touch, but if you really want these instruments lasting for as long as possible, then you need to try to only handle them around the ends. That can help you safeguard these gages from the natural acids that hands typically have.
You'll still want to clean your hands before touching the ends, but this strategy is ultimately going to prevent your thread gages from breaking down due to rust. If you find gages that have really long ends, then you should have an easy time moving these instruments around without causing damage.
Have Gages Professionally Calibrated at Certain Intervals
After using a thread gage for a certain number of months, you want to make sure it's still measuring pitches accurately. That's what calibration lets you do and it can be performed by professional companies. They'll put your thread gages through measurement tests, seeing if they're performing the way they should.
If they aren't and it's because of a structural problem, the professional company will know immediately thanks to their advanced calibration software. They can then help you make adjustments, whether it's restoring some of the thread gage's materials or re-applying a protective finish.
Thread gages are going to be effective and easy to use on a consistent basis if you take the time to maintain them. As long as you know what problems can happen with these gages, you can put together a sound maintenance plan that leads to long-lasting thread gages capable of performing well.
For more information on thread gages, contact a professional near you.