Pin Gauges

[RedHawk357Mag]

Something really weird just happened...been looking for pin gauges for awhile and I came across this auction on ebay. (111253858218) Shipping was kinda scary but it does weigh over thirty pounds. New at Amazon 215.00 with i think 11.00 for shipping. Picked it up for 145.00 and with shipping I saved something like 30.00. I never get a break like that. I have to ALWAYS prove how much i want something lol. Vermont are American made so i thought somebody would probably run it up. Did I buy something like a Caddy Concourse or something? Just something to check throats, dies, and progress of expanders that sort of thing. Thanks

[MtGun44]

Available from Enco on sale now for $79 for .251 to .500 minus set.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INSRAR2&PMAKA=616-8131&PMPXNO=951510

They are very useful, hope you got the minus set.

Bill

[RedHawk357Mag]

Thanks MTGun44, I saw the cheaper sets, but I opted to get the American stuff. I try to hold that line when I can. Hoping they are minus to. But I figure if they aren't I just got an extra step doing some measuring with the micrometer once I get the largest plug to slide through the throat or what have you. Just hoping I didn't buy a Ford Pinto with a plastic fuel filler pipe;) Thanks again Sir.

[reed1911]

Generally speaking, for what we do with them in re-loading, the cheap sets are fine. For quality machine work (including gunsmithing) yes, you want the higher cost sets. Regardless, you got a good deal on a Vermont set. I've got two of each + and - from them as well as several of the cheapo sets. The cheapo sets are useful for general set-up and rough handle work and save the good sets for final alignment and QC. You'll be surprised what you end up doing with them, you'll find all kinds of uses.

[EDG]

The pin gauges are manufactured using centerless grinders meaning they are cheap and easy to manufacture.
The Chinese made cheap sets are fine for what we do.

[bangerjim]

I use the Enco gauges all the time....as well as blocks and angles and...well just about everything. The import stuff is amazingly accurate....good enough for what we do.

I have NIST versions of them and have checked and they are "good enough for gubment work!"

banger

[RedHawk357Mag]

Thanks all. Much appreciated.

[swheeler]

I've got the Vermont gauges, .061-.250 and .251-.500 minus, through the school 20 years ago they were 350 for both.

[square butte]

You can buy just the ones you want without having to buy a whole set. I bought mine from MSC Direct - They are Vermont gauges made. I have a set to measure throats for .32, .38, .44, and .45 cal revolver throats. Less gauges to store - Better quality gauges for less money than a complete set. That option worked for me.

[stu1ritter]

You can buy just the ones you want without having to buy a whole set. I bought mine from MSC Direct - They are Vermont gauges made. I have a set to measure throats for .32, .38, .44, and .45 cal revolver throats. Less gauges to store - Better quality gauges for less money than a complete set. That option worked for me.

+1. I agree square butte. Since I don't do any other machining, just measuring chamber throats, the big sets didn't make sense to me either. I bought Vermont thru Amazon as I needed them. Seemed to me the rest of the "sets" would just sit around collecting finger prints wondering what I'd do with them.

Stu

[uscra112]

Having only the "minus" pins cuts your ability to measure holes accurately by a factor of two.

I buy Meyer (American made) pins through Gageshop.com.

[stu1ritter]

Considering that we are looking for the nearest thousandth, since bullet sizing is only available to the thousandth, I never saw the need for both the + and - side. I just have the minus.
Stu

[tomf52]

Can somebody please explain to me the plus or minus factor when using pin gauges? Not a machinist here.

[GLL]

Used machinist stuff is pretty cheap at auctions (not online type). I picked up this US made MEYER minus set for under $30. It had a few layout ink stains on a few pins and the box lid but it all washed off with acetone. It looked ugly so there were few bids.

http://www.fototime.com/6B38557F6AEEE8D/medium800.jpg

Jerry

[stu1ritter]

Can somebody please explain to me the plus or minus factor when using pin gauges? Not a machinist here.
The minus gauges are -.0002 and the + gauges are +.0002 from the spec size of the pin gauge.
I've put a ten thou' micrometer on every minus gauge I've bought and they are all exactly .0002 undersized, as they should be.
Stu

[RedHawk357Mag]

Lots of good info on gauges at GAGESHOP. Thanks for the link.

Also seems like a fantastic way to get just the gauges you need. Wow. But hey I got more things to wipe down now lol.

[BPShooter]

Manhattan Supply Company is another source for gauge pins, they may have better prices and more choices.Always buy American when you can, we need more manufacturing in America.

[EDG]

The -.0002 pins are popular because an exact line to line fit between hole and pin will not go together without some force. Even a -.0001 fit can be difficult to fit. The .0002 clearance will allow the basic pin to fit into the exact size .0000 hole.


Can somebody please explain to me the plus or minus factor when using pin gauges? Not a machinist here.