Gages

1. Calipers - 1.5 Hours [Youtube]
This video covers the basics about calipers, the four different methods for taking measurements, accuracy, and best practices. Different styles are demonstrated including a digital, dial, and vernier scale caliper. The caliper is your swiss army knife for inspection and its important to know all it's capabilities, limitations, and best uses.

• Digital Caliper
• Dial Caliper
• Vernier Caliper
• Vernier Micrometer

2. Micrometers (OD) - 1 Hour 40 Minutes [Youtube]
This video covers the key skills and best practices when using micrometers. Since most micrometers use a rotational vernier scale for the reading, you will also learn how to read the vernier scale. Micrometers are very accurate and precise gages capable of measuring outside diameters and distances for very tight tolerance features. In this video, we also cover handling, calibrating, and some best practices.

3. Specialized Micrometers - 2 Hours [Youtube]
There are many different styles of micrometer, created for special applications. This video covers some of the more common micrometer styles used in industry. You will learn about what features they work for, how to handle them, calibrate, and read.

• Disc Micrometer (Demonstrated)
• Blade Micrometer (Discussed)
• Pin Micrometer (Discussed)
• Multi Anvil Micrometer (Discussed)
• Tube Micrometer (Demonstrated)
• Depth Micromter (Demonstrated)
• Groove Micrometer (Discussed)
• Anvil Tips (Discussed)

Unfortunately at the time of recording the video, I did not have access to all the different styles. If I can get access I will record a follow-up video and update this page.

4. Hole Measurement - 3 Hours 45 Minutes [Youtube]
There are many different ways to measure a hole size. In this video we will discuss the more common ways, demonstrate each one, and compare and contrast the pros and cons of each method. Hole diameters are very important in manufacturing. Understanding all the options and the key points of each gage is critical to success for workers in production and inspection.

• Gage Pins
• Hole Micrometer
• Telescope Gage
• Small Hole Gages
• Tubular Inside Micrometer
• Dial Bore Gage
• Dial Hole Gage
• (Calipers)

5. Surface Plate Basics - 2 Hours 20 Minutes [Youtube]
Surface plate work is where things start to get interesting and really fun when you get good at it. In this introductory video, we focus on just the minimum gages needed for surface plate inspections. The surface plate itself, height gage, test indicator, scribe, and drop indicator. We will demonstrate how these gages work together and best practices to maintain accuracy.

• Surface Plate
• Height Gage
• Scribe
• Test Indicator
• Drop Indicator

6. Surface Plate Accessories - 3.5 Hours [Youtube]
This video continues the Surface Plate Inspection series. Adding more accessories to the surface plate tools already covered opens up a lot more possibilities. We will cover the most common gages and applications. Understanding how to combine the surface plate tools to achieve an inspection is a more advanced skill in the industry, but should be basic knowledge. These tools working together open up a wide range of options that the hand tools cannot do.

• 123 Blocks
• V-Blocks
• Jo Blocks (Gauge Blocks)
• Gage Pins
• Machinist Jacks

7. Angle Measurement - 1.5 Hours [Youtube]
In this video we cover different ways to verify angles. Sometimes this means verifying the complimentary angle to 90 or 180 degrees. We cover the basic gages and focus on the bevel protractor. The surface plate will also come back for sine bar measurements and an angle block discussion. We will also discuss how verifying symmetry and often be used as a substitute for verifying angles.

• Bevel Protractor
• Height Gage Attachment
• Digital Protractor (discussed)
• Angle Gage Set
• Precision Square
• Sine Bar / Sine Plate
• Angle Blocks
• (Calipers)
• Verifying symmetry

8. Thread Inspection - 1 Hour 50 Minutes [Youtube]
Inspecting thread is very different from every other inspection, yet many of the tools we're used to using make a comeback here as well. But first, we will spend time understanding thread callouts and what pieces to inspect. Then we move on to the various gages available and compare/contrast all the different methods. Finally we will discuss how to measure the depth of a blind tapped hole, as well as go through some exercises for identifying nuts and bolts.

• Thread Plug Gage
• Thread Ring Gage
• Thread Set Plug
• Pitch Micromter
• Profile Gages
• Reference
• NPT Gages (Discussed)
• Tapered