Do you make use of a Trapezoidal Thread Gauge or Whitworth Thread Gauge? If yes, then you must learn about the most important thread gauge maintenance protocols. Only when you know how to take care of these simple inspection tools and how to maintain them correctly, you will be able to get the best value for your money or else, they will not last as long as they should. Here are some of the most important thread gauge maintenance protocols that you should follow.
When you are getting your Whitworth Thread Gauge or your Trapezoidal Thread Gauge from your manufacturer ensure that you have the sizes clearly inscribed in the tool itself. They should be correctly inscribed and they should be easily visible. This is going to be really helpful down the line. It is not enough that the thread gauge sizes are not just painted on the surface because the paint can peel off with time. The size has to be etched permanently on the tool. This should be one of the most basic requirements when you are ordering your thread gauges.
All the thread gauges must have their own respective protective sheaths. The protective sheaths must also be marked correctly. Ensure that all the thread gauges go into the respective sheaths. This simple measure will go a long way in spotting the tool fast and it will also prevent unnecessary damage to the tool that normally results from the use of wrong sized thread gauges for inspection.
The thread gauges must never be left out of the protective sheaths when not used. It has to become a standard practice to always store the tool in the respective sheaths. Followed by this, you must also make sure that the thread gauges are used only by the designated people on the work floor. The person using the thread gauges must be given adequate training for the correct use of the thread gauges. One should not think that it is a simple tool and ignore the basic training part. If someone without training uses the tool it could be easily damaged. At no point of time unnecessary force should be exerted while using the tool.
As a rule of thumb, the tool should be used only after pre-use cleaning. It should also be cleaned immediately after use. The newly threaded components will have residual oil and lubricants or coolant deposits which are used during the tapping process. The threads will also have residual particles from the thread tapping process. If the bur or the residual particles are left without cleaning when you are inspecting the components the thread gauge profile will be damaged. Not only that the wear and tear level will also increase unnecessarily. It is not difficult to follow any of these basic maintenance protocols. By strictly adhering to these protocols, you will be able to make your thread gauges last really long. It will reduce the replacement frequency and it will help you save some money too.
