Amateur With Question About Bore (Ring?) Gages

[PGB1]

Hello!
I am very much an amateur when it comes to machine tool work, but am trying to learn. Recently, I acquired a box of what I think are called "Ring Setting Gages" or "Bore Gauges". Upon examining them, I came up with some questions I'm hoping to learn answers to. I searched quite a bit & didn;t find out too much. Please pardon my ignorance if these are basic knowledge items.

I think I figured out that these have many, many uses. Perhaps including setting milling cutter stops, cylinder size verification, adjustable bore gauge setting. Or, I might be totally wrong about what they are for.

Question one concerns the word "Gauge". I have often seen it spelled 'Gauge" as well as 'Gage". Catalogs vary, as do manufacturer's literature. Is one more correct than the other for machine tool items?

Question Two returns us to the Ring Gages? I wonder what the real, proper term for these is. I have read "Ring Gauge" "Ring Setting" Bore Gauge", "Master Gauge" "Go Gauge" "Milling Set Up Gauge" and more. Is one proper? They are rings with knurled sides. There is a hole in the center matching the size indicated. They are marked with a size & some other identification numbers. Some do, indeed, say "Go" and one says "No Go". I learned what Go & No Go mean, but most don't have those words. A few photos are attached (I hope!)



Question Three concerns the writing on the instruments. Some have a suffix after the size. An example is .0265-Z What does the "Z" mean?

Question Four- Some have an extra set of numbers. An example is a unit marked "GO.6545" also says "G-8292" Some have a suffix there, too. An example is "G-68572-BR" Are these, perhaps serial numbers or tolerance indications?

Thank you all very much for helping me learn as I go. I appreciate your efforts.
Enjoy Today!
Paul
PS: Thank you to the designers & organizers of this user's group. It is the easiest one to figure out & search I've ever used. Putting photos was easy!

 

[Bill C.]

Hello!
I am very much an amateur when it comes to machine tool work, but am trying to learn. Recently, I acquired a box of what I think are called "Ring Setting Gages" or "Bore Gauges". Upon examining them, I came up with some questions I'm hoping to learn answers to. I searched quite a bit & didn;t find out too much. Please pardon my ignorance if these are basic knowledge items.

I think I figured out that these have many, many uses. Perhaps including setting milling cutter stops, cylinder size verification, adjustable bore gauge setting. Or, I might be totally wrong about what they are for.

Question one concerns the word "Gauge". I have often seen it spelled 'Gauge" as well as 'Gage". Catalogs vary, as do manufacturer's literature. Is one more correct than the other for machine tool items?

Question Two returns us to the Ring Gages? I wonder what the real, proper term for these is. I have read "Ring Gauge" "Ring Setting" Bore Gauge", "Master Gauge" "Go Gauge" "Milling Set Up Gauge" and more. Is one proper? They are rings with knurled sides. There is a hole in the center matching the size indicated. They are marked with a size & some other identification numbers. Some do, indeed, say "Go" and one says "No Go". I learned what Go & No Go mean, but most don't have those words. A few photos are attached (I hope!)



Question Three concerns the writing on the instruments. Some have a suffix after the size. An example is .0265-Z What does the "Z" mean?

Question Four- Some have an extra set of numbers. An example is a unit marked "GO.6545" also says "G-8292" Some have a suffix there, too. An example is "G-68572-BR" Are these, perhaps serial numbers or tolerance indications?

Thank you all very much for helping me learn as I go. I appreciate your efforts.
Enjoy Today!
Paul
PS: Thank you to the designers & organizers of this user's group. It is the easiest one to figure out & search I've ever used. Putting photos was easy!

They are usually used in production as a quick inspection tool. If a part or parts start falling out of tolerance then a setup person is called to re-adjust the machine. Nice set. I think "Gauge" is British.

 

[PGB1]

They are usually used in production as a quick inspection tool. If a part or parts start falling out of tolerance then a setup person is called to re-adjust the machine. Nice set. I think "Gauge" is British.

Thank you Bill C for the information. I apologize for the late reply. I could not get logged in yesterday. (Cyber gremlin?)
Now I can picture, in my mind's eye, a production shop using these to quickly inspect samples for pass-or-fail.

The word "Gage" being British is funny. They delete the "U" in Gauge, but add the "U" to Colour & Flavour. When searching digital catalogs and on line for an instrument, I now search both ways.

Thanks Again for your help!
Paul

 

[Tony Wells]

Just for the record, I use "gage", because I believe the "u" to be superfluous. Either is acceptable, however.

You also have what are called "set rings". Those are precision ground and or lapped, hardened and very accurate. Since they mimic a bore, all measuring pressure and any centering mechanism on a bore gage (dial or digital) is included in the setup. I have made and used many over the years. Sure beats using an OD mic, or gage block stack. Often you'll find the contacts on a bore gage worn and not consistent between setting them using parallel flats and using a hole. Many shops who run repeat parts will make or have made and calibrated certain sizes dedicated to a particular part. It provides an initial setting for the bore gage, and a quick verification any time during the run. I have recommended to some operators that before they take the last cut, or just before what is expected to be the finish passes on the grinder or hone that they verify the setting of the bore gage. Also, this takes any guesswork out of who set the gage to what between shifts, for example. And the responsibility shifts to the provider of the set ring, rather than some operators mic. They are also used to calibrate Tri-Mics. In fact, I challenge anyone to verify them accurately any other way.

They are also good for practicing use of telescoping gages. If those are new to you, you can earn how much pressure they need to be accurate, how to properly sweep them through the bore, etc. Since you have a positively known diameter, it's easy to know if you are doing things right.

Most of the numbers are simply for record keeping in a calibration system. Thin serial number. Some may be marked with the part number they are to be used with. Could be several things.

 

[PGB1]

Good Morning!

Thank You, Tony, for taking the time to write this reply. It explains a lot!

Just for the record, I use "gage", because I believe the "u" to be superfluous. Either is acceptable, however.
The duality of spelling sure makes looking items up confusing sometimes. I have noticed that 'Gage' is used more than 'Gauge', so people
must be on your team. (I also agree- Why the extra letter?)

They are also good for practicing use of telescoping gages. If those are new to you, you can earn how much pressure they need to be accurate, how to properly sweep them through the bore, etc. Since you have a positively known diameter, it's easy to know if you are doing things right.
Genius Idea! I am terrible at telescoping gage use. I can measure the same bore 5 times at the same depth and have 5 different answers.
After reading your sentence above, I've been practicing this morning with some various rings.

Most of the numbers are simply for record keeping in a calibration system. Thin serial number. Some may be marked with the part number they are to be used with. Could be several things.
The numbering makes good sense. I'd imagine this would help with calibration & error record keeping.

You also have what are called "set rings". Those are precision ground and or lapped, hardened and very accurate.
It there a method I can use to tell which are Set Rings?
Perhaps a tell-tale marking or measurement? I have about 35 rings to check & learn about.

Thanks again for your answer & thorough explanation. You are a good teacher!
Now, back to practicing those telescoping gages.

Paul