Are there any reasonably priced bore gauges out there that are worth buying for single-time use? The only non-generic one I've found is Fowler, but their 2-6" gauge only goes in .0005" increments. I have a Mitutoyo mic, but their bore gauges are $250+. Any other suggestions for reasonably priced bore gauge brands?

 

Are your cylinder bores one-time use only?
If you want to measure it yourself you will have to drop the dough.
It's probably cheaper and quicker to have a machine shop measure for ya.

 

I did have a machine shop measure them today, and the results were extraordinarily dismal to the point that I'm suspect. .0034 out of round. That's far worse compared to what others have found in the most terrible 100k+ mile H22 blocks. I just want to find out how they measure out for myself.

 

Thats what I was just gonna suggest.
If you dont forsee doing it again just have a machine shop measure it and save yourself some money.
The only way your going to get a gage that size with .0001 graduation indicator at the price you need is "import".



**dang you move quick**

 

Are you referring to the generic one form Enco?

EDIT: the generic one is .0005" like the Fowler but more expensive.

 

what about a regular bore gauge, without a display, and then measure that with a micrometer?

 

I have tried these guys before and you have to be SUPER duper dead even in the bore or your readings will be all over the place. I don't know if I just don't use it right, but everytime I use one, my readings are off everytime I click her down.

On a side note, I use the fowler gauge and it works well also, but for it to work REALLY well, it's best to have a fixture for it to make sure you are going up and down square.

 

i gave up on those bore gauges, i need some thing to show me if i'm dead even or not lol

 

I guess enco doesent carry them currently. But there around.

I know we have a couple of these in our shop for use if you dont have your own.
Im not sure of the name, but I know the indicators are to the tenth.

Actually now that I think about it they could have a different indicator on them by now, there so old. But I can tell you even though I dont use them personally, a $100 generic can still be acurate because ours still pass calibration every year.

 

Would a .0005" graduated gauge work properly? Could I zero the gage (using the mic) at the spec, and after getting the initial reading, zero the gauge -.0005 away from that reading and work my up to the initial reading by zeroing the gauge .0001 up each time?

 

If I understand you right, either way you wont have hash marks from zero to .0005.

I think if the shop measured them at as much as .0034 then you should be able to take a gage w/ a .0005 graduation and see if its +.003 and the needle is right there at the 5.

You could zero it either at the nominal and check, and then just verify by zeroing at the service limit and then looking from there.

Figure if you already know there out, and your just trying to double check and confirm their measurements then you should be able to look at where the needle is between graduations and say, well looks about halfway at .00025 or at 4 ect.

Not sure what it costs, but what about having another place take measurments.
Probably still cheaper than buying the gage.

 

PM me. I'll point you to a good source for precision tools.

 

how come u never pointed ur thing at me

LOL!

 

I don't think you asked.

 

you are very correct hehehe

(ok now what in the world have we bin talkin about then in PM's)


kidding! hehe

 

I enjoy getting what I pay for mitutoyo bore gages ftw...buy it once

 

Mitutoyo are great quality products and really aren't THAT expensive.

 

$250 is a lot for a bore gauge that you're going to measure with once or twice.

MOTU

 

buy it once

use it once

 

I use Mitutoyo as I told you on the other forum. I can get within a few ten-thousandths with snap gauges if I have nothing better to do with my day. Wouldn't suggest using them blind though if you've not used them before.

 

Search Ebay, I got a great deal on a new Mitutoyo bore guage for about $150...
I watched the market on bore guages for about a month, that way when a good deal came around, I would know it...The same guage from local retailers was like $400 and up...F-that!

 

Mitutoyo ftw! Everything in my tool box is mitutoyo except for test indicators. Starret is very good also but more pricey.

 

Actually I just picked up a brand new Mitutoyo 545 series, 3-6", .0001, 3-point contact, for a lot less than retail. Looks I'll be sending the Fowler back once it gets here.

 

good decision

Even if you think you wont need it again, you never know.
Then you got something good to turn to later on.