Gauges have been around since the 17thC and are an essential tool within construction and many other industries. If you're just starting out using gauges then take a look at our quick guide to using two of the most common types, screen gauges and thread gauges.
About Screw Gauges
Screw gauges were invented more than 400 years ago by William Gascoigne, a British Astronomer who came up with the screw gauge as a means of measuring the stars. Since then screw gauges have been used for many different applications and today they are most commonly used to measure the diameter of wires, but no matter what the screw gauge is being used for, the principle behind the tool remains the same - To accurately measure the distance between the spindle and the anvil on the screw gauge when it's applied to an object.
How to use a Screw Gauge
1. On the interior of the anvil you will find a U shaped frame. Place the wire that needs measuring up against the anvil.
2. At the furthest distance from the U frame on the end of the spindle cylinder you will find the screw gauge ratchet. In order for the spindle (the metal cylinder that moves towards the U frame) to move towards the anvil the ratchet must be turned in a clockwise direction.
3. Turn the ratchet until the wire is pressed between the anvil and the spindle. When the wire is adequately sandwiched between the two the ratchet will click and the spindle will not be able to move any further.
4. To determine the diameter of the wire look for the horizontal scale measurement that lines up with the spindle. Note down the last number you can see on the edge of the thimble.
5. Look for the vertical scale measurement on the thimble. You will see a horizontal line that married up to the vertical scale. Note down this number.
6. On the thimble you will find the vertical scale measurement. Note down this number.
7. Finally you need to add these numbers together according to the respective subdivision of scale found on the screw gauge. On an imperial scale the measurement is normally accurate to a thousandth of an inch.
About Thread Gauges
As with screw gauges, there are several different types of thread gauge used for different purposes. Most commonly a thread gauge can be used for checking the diameter and thread angle of a screw thread, determining or checking the pitch and measuring screw threads.
How to use a Thread Gauge
1. Hold the bolt you need to measure in one hand. Make sure there's plenty of light so you can read the measurement.
2. Open up the gauge and place a blade alongside the bolt threads. If the teeth on the blade don't fit securely select another one until the bolt threads and the teeth fit together snugly.
3. The number on the blade will tell you the number of threads per inch. To measure a nut use the same method but place the blade inside the nut.
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Did you know that the first gauge and calibration company was formed in the UK and after one hundred years is now http://www.thegauge.co.uk
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