Four Tips For Using Thread Plug Gages
Posted on: 16 January 2018
Thread plug gages are tools used in manufacturing to check the size and threading inside a threaded screw or bolt hole. Using a thread plug gage may sound easy at first. You just insert it into the hole in question, right? Well, not quite. There are some intricacies to using a thread plug gage properly and without causing damage to the material being made or the gage itself. Follow these four tips for success.
1. Check for English or Metric Sizing
Thread plug gages come in metric and English sizes, just like your sockets and bolts often do. So, before you start inserting thread plug gages, check to see whether the bolt hole in question has been sized in metric or English. Inserting an improperly sized gage -- one that almost fits, but not quite because it has been sized in different units -- can strip the threads from within the hole, meaning you'd have to re-drill the hole.
2. Look Over the Gage First
Before you use any thread plug gage, give it a thorough inspection to make sure it's in perfect condition. If some of the threads become broken or displaced when the gage is dropped, inserting it into the hole could strip the threads and make the hole rather useless. If a thread plug gage appears to be damaged -- or if you drop it and think it may have been damaged -- throw it away rather than risking damage to your threaded holes.
3. Never Force It
If you start inserting the thread plug gage and feel some resistance, do not force it. You may have chosen the wrong size accidentally, or the thread plug gage may be damaged. In either case, forcing it into the hole will only make matters worse. When properly sized, the gage should twist into the hole with ease. You should only have to apply as much force as you would use to screw a screw into a pre-drilled hole.
4. Clean Your Gages
Give your thread plug gage a good wipe-down before using it. Wipe it down again before putting it away for storage. This way, you won't introduce any dust or dirt to the threads inside the hole. This is very important since dirt in the threaded hole can interfere with the ability to insert your gage or a bolt into that hole.
For more information about thread plug gages for sale, contact a local distributor.
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