Feeler gauge

[Guest 000]

I use feeler gauges quite a lot on board - main engine tappets, outboard plug, flywheel/coil setting, breaker points, prop shaft flange alignment etc, and there are two big problems with those multi blade feeler gauges.

Firstly, and I may be a bit ham fisted here, but it's difficult to nest all the blades and slide them back into the frame without catching and tearing the thinner blades in the process and secondly, I don't know how they mark the thickness on the blades but they usually wear off in short order making the gauge useless.

What I wound like is to be able to buy different sized blades singly, preferably each one inserted into a decent handle or base with the size stamped on it.

Usual tool outlets don't know don't care.

Anyone ever seen such a thing?

[erice 732]

for bike

 

bought a cheap set

 

disassembled, removed most used blades

 

sprayed rest with wd40 to slow rust, save markings,  reassembled

 

put single leaf in compartment of plastic bolt box marked "inlet valve - 0.6mm"

 

likewise "exhaust valve - 0.8mm" 

 

rest of set in other compartment

 

vernier calipers on hand if needed to read other blades

 

but there is a pattern that can be predicted

 

if mystery blade is between 0.6 and 0.8, likely 0.7mm

 

if between 1.05 and 1.25, likely 1.15mm

[Kevin McCready 83]

My dad used to keep his feeler gauge well oiled.

[Guest 000]

Brain finally engaged.

Buy another set of feeler gauges. Disassemble. Wrap one end of the blade in masking tape which will make a handle and provide a place to write the blade thickness.

Alternatively, and more upmarket, cut some thin strips off an old PTFE breadboard for handles, heat up the blades with a micro torch and embed them into the PTFE, inscribe the numbers into the handle with a Dremel tool.

[Steve Pope 243]

i'm pretty sure Wurth have them, probably trade tools as well. I have some, will check if there is a name on them.

[erice 732]

was thinking a man with your skills

 

could split some dowel

 

use the hole in the blade to put a screw through + glue

 

write on wood with marker pen

 

or even a blade out each end?

[Guest 000]

Thank you all for the input.

Good plan with the dowel erice. I think I'll go with it.