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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,436

    Thumbs up Small hole bore gauge !

    Hi Guys,

    I've been considering the best way to measure small diameter bores. I know about gauge pins, but I was thinking bores from about 12 mm up to say 25 or 30 mm. Once I've got to 25 mm I can use my M&W inside callipers. But I've nothing that will fit into that gap in sizes.

    I've done a drawing of a proposed device that I can use to accurately measure a small bore !

    Minature Bore Gauge.png
    I have a pair of M&W 3" inch dividers that have very small diameter legs on them, so I thought that it might be a candidate for making a fitting that went onto the legs and be able to be inserted into a bore so that I could measure it using the transfer method, like I do with the external callipers.

    I've a number of bits of scrap brass material that I can play around with.

    I present the idea here in the hope that it will prove useful and of interest, and maybe collect some thoughts !
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    1,075

    Default

    I'm all for finding a new project, but...you know these exist, right? https://www.justtools.com.au/moore-w...50mm-mw-315-01

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    6,436

    Default

    Hi Elan,

    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    I'm all for finding a new project, but...you know these exist, right? https://www.justtools.com.au/moore-w...50mm-mw-315-01
    Yes I'm aware of them, thank you for reminding me.

    I had actually considered having a go at making one of those, it shouldn't be too difficult. But then I thought why copy an existing design, plus there are techniques that I would like to explore.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Charlestown NSW
    Age
    65
    Posts
    1,669

    Default

    Baron.
    If you are after a project you could look at making your own version of these.

    peter

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    574

    Default

    I've got a set of the telescoping gauges and also a set of expanding ball gauges - made you know where - I contemplated making them but once I priced up the raw materials I realised that the material cost is similar to a factory made set.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    6,436

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bollie7 View Post
    Baron.
    If you are after a project you could look at making your own version of these.

    peter
    Hi Peter, Guys,

    Now those I did not know about ! They look interesting. Cheap enough as well.
    From the picture they look to use a taper to open the measuring surfaces. I wonder just how sensitive they are.

    I wasn't particularly looking for a project, more that I had a need to be able to measure a bore that I couldn't using gauge pins. Whilst 0.01 mm is good enough, my set only goes to 12 mm. From 25 mm and up I can use callipers.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,540

    Default

    I swear by Interapid gauges like this one -
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MACHINIST...sAAOSwswVa4QY2
    Zero them out on the hole and then measure with a micrometer.

    Michael

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,436

    Default

    Hi Michael,

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    I swear by Interapid gauges like this one -
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MACHINIST-TOOL-LATHE-MILL-Machinist-Interapid-Swiss-Groove-Indicator-375-6-ShE/401528194449?hash=item5d7cf20591:gssAAOSwswVa4QY2
    Zero them out on the hole and then measure with a micrometer.

    Michael
    Thank you for that link !

    How does the song go "I'm just a poor man" .
    I think I'll stick to cheap and nasty and buy a bottle of Shiraz with the change.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
    Posts
    292

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    ...From the picture they look to use a taper to open the measuring surfaces. I wonder just how sensitive they are. ...
    That's not how a telescoping gauge works. You open them until a little bigger than the hole you want to measure and then you lightly tighten the little knob. You put it in the hole and tip it through the hole once. It will centre as it passes through and push the ends in until through the smallest point and hold that dimension. When taken out of the hole you snug the little knob and then measure with your micrometer. The process does leave a visible mark in the hole, tiny scratch, but it shouldn't have any effect on the end use. This is one time you shouldn't buy a cheap set because the innards are often rough and don't slide past one another properly giving you no end of frustration and grief. Starrett or Mitutoyo are the go.

    Pete

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9,088

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bollie7 View Post
    Baron.
    If you are after a project you could look at making your own version of these.

    peter
    They also come in what I assume is called "half ball" for measuring shallow bores. I was going to suggest Baron reduce the 3mm on his drawing if he did a lot of shallow bores but given he whats to cover a greater range in one tool some of that 3mm will be used for larger holes(how much I haven't bothered to work out, not even sure I could)
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400645674784

    If I needed a project I'd think about making one of these. Which sure look pretty handy though granted far more work. I have one but haven't had a need for it as yet so cant say how well they work.
    https://www.flexbar.com/products/ind...al-groove-gage

    In the past I've used the outside of a set of 3" dividers as is(cant have been that small a hole), it worked "well enough" lol. Your brass tips would have been a huge improvement

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Age
    67
    Posts
    362

    Default

    I must commend you on making something like you are. Way beyond my capabilities.

    For one or a few holes telescopic gauges are fine...

    DSC08322.jpg

    For lots of holes.

    DSC08320.jpg

    Mitutoyo are my preference but I do have some other name brands. That`s except for the red Chinese box. Some ass#$%^ liked the Mitutoyo more than me.

    Tony

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,436

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    Thank you very much four your notes and suggestions !

    I've spent far too much time trawling the Internet looking at various types if bore measuring tools. I do like the Mitoyo direct reading bore gauge, way way out of my price range, at upto $4000 Us, I'll pass.

    The split ball gauges are within my price range and would be favourite for two reasons. One they have a range from 3 mm up to 15 mm, two, they can take a reading against a flat at the bottom of a bore. This would be an advantage for me with me wanting to be able to measure inside a 55 mm deep hole.

    24-06-2020-001.jpg 24-06-2020-002.jpg 24-06-2020-003.JPG

    These are the callipers that I propose to use for my tool. The tips I am making are intended to be push fitted on the sharp end of the points. These dividers I seem to have had forever, I went and bought a new pair about ten years ago, same M&W, same size, but the newer ones are far chunkier and the points far greater in diameter. These old ones are fine and delicate and the screw is a much finer thread.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
    Posts
    292

    Default

    On another forum a long time ago a guy wrote a spreadsheet that would calculate which 3 pins from a gauge pin set would be needed to measure a given hole size bigger than the set was made for. A 0.1000 to 0.5000 set would measure up to 1.0000 if memory serves. I found the discussion and tried the link to his website and got the 404 message. I suspect he is no longer around and the site was taken down. I don't have the spreadsheet anymore and couldn't run it on my Mac at the time but always thought it would be the cat's backside if it were an app. Then it would be accessible in the shop. Even tried to get a programer to write an app but it never happened. If anyone was so gifted as to know the math and be able to write another spreadsheet or even better an app I'm sure it would be appreciated.

    Pete

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    505

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by QC Inspector View Post
    On another forum a long time ago a guy wrote a spreadsheet that would calculate which 3 pins from a gauge pin set would be needed to measure a given hole size bigger than the set was made for. A 0.1000 to 0.5000 set would measure up to 1.0000 if memory serves. I found the discussion and tried the link to his website and got the 404 message. I suspect he is no longer around and the site was taken down. I don't have the spreadsheet anymore and couldn't run it on my Mac at the time but always thought it would be the cat's backside if it were an app. Then it would be accessible in the shop. Even tried to get a programer to write an app but it never happened. If anyone was so gifted as to know the math and be able to write another spreadsheet or even better an app I'm sure it would be appreciated.

    Pete
    Hi Pete,

    Have you tried looking for the old web address on the internet archive https://web.archive.org/ ?

    Bill

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