Inside Micrometer or Other Tooling

Gage pins, you may also try the EGW slide gage for bushing fit.

 

Late to class.....sorry, my 7 m/o ate my homework!

 

I have gauge pins from .011" to .5" in one thou increments, so I use micrometers when measuring larger things that require tenths accuracy. For measuring things to +/- a thou (most pistol measurements) my calipers are fine.

My mentor taught me how to properly use calipers. It's a bit of an art though, and no two calipers are the same. When I get a new caliper I test it on various gauge blocks and pins until I can determine the proper tension for a accurate measurement. Worked for him. Works for me. YMMV.

 

Dial or digital? I have digital Starrett mics but for one reason on another I prefer a dial on my calipers. I have a US made Starett 6" dial caliper that goes everywhere I do in my shop. I'd be lost without it.

 

I too prefer dials on my calipers, I use carbide tipped Mitutoyo calipers



Also for up to 2” I have actual inside mics from Starret that measure in .0001”
Two sets cover everything from .2”-1.2” and 1”-2” then gage pins up to .250 for smaller holes.

 

You have good taste.

 

That will work too!

I'm not one to get the most expensive tools available, but I do want something that works well and repeats.

So now that I'm retired and broke, I hope all of my tools outlast me!

 

I’ve found eBay to be a good source for starrett tools. I think I got my depth gauge and a 120a for under $80.
Checked both for accuracy when I received them and they’ve been great for me.

 

I too purchased much of my tooling on eBay. There are a lot of fakes on there (especially Starrett and Mitu), so I am very careful with whom I do business.

 

Gage pins over expensive micrometers.
And you really don't need the entire sets over .500".
.698" -.705" for slide ID's.
.577" - .582" for bushing ID's.
Individual pins are pretty inexpensive.

 

Ball end telescoping spring loaded T guage allows for difernt depth measurements for consistency and contricity at front middle and full depth of any internal cylinder.

 

In my own defense, I do a lot more in my shop than pistols. No way I'm giving up my mics.

 

Exactly, I’m a journeyman tool and die maker and need these for my actual job! But having all these tools at my disposal really makes other things much nicer. Like measuring a bushing i.d.

 

Exactly!

For example, when Greg mentioned that slide gauge, I thought "hey, I could make one of those!" At the same time I could make a bushing gauge as well. They'd be handy to keep on the handwork bench.