Pin Gauges

Secrets, tips, tools, design considerations, materials, the "science" behind it all, and other topics related to building the cars and semi-trucks.
Post Reply
*5 J's*
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 755
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Norway, Maine

Pin Gauges

Post by *5 J's* »

What is a good source for pin gauges? I am not looking to buy an entire set, rather a subset to measure bores.

How are they normally incremented? I know I have seen bore measurements given as 0.0955 and 0.0965, so I am guessing they can be bought in increments of 0.0005".

If so would a good set be 0.0950, 0.0955, 0.0960, 0.0965, 0.0970? That would seem to cover the range of bores of the new wheels.
User avatar
FatSebastian
Pine Head Legend
Pine Head Legend
Posts: 2803
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:49 pm
Location: Boogerton, PA

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by FatSebastian »

*5 J's* wrote:What is a good source for pin gauges? I am not looking to buy an entire set, rather a subset to measure bores.
I purchased a sub-set of individual "replacement pins" after stumbling across the Vermont Gage website. Their catalog (p. 7) lists individual gauges for $2 each. These were ZZ type, black-oxide coated ("Black Guard"), made in USA and NIST traceable. A local tool retailer ordered them for me, but as it turned out Vermont Gage required a $20 minimum, so I bought a dozen pieces in both whole sizes (those ending in 0.0000) and half sizes (those ending in 0.0005).
*5 J's* wrote:If so would a good set be 0.0950, 0.0955, 0.0960, 0.0965, 0.0970? That would seem to cover the range of bores of the new wheels.
I have personally measured the bores of new wheels as low as 0.0955" and as high as 0.0970". One can be certain 0.0970" is the correct value if a 0.0975" is too large. Therefore, I might suggest at least as high as 0.0975" (because some commercial wheels are reamed out to 0.0980", I might even suggest purchasing up to 0.0985" or 0.0990" if you need to meet a minimum order requirement).
*5 J's*
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 755
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Norway, Maine

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by *5 J's* »

Thanks FS - so a set of 10 from 0.00945 to 0.00900 in 0.00005 increments would be the following part numbers, correct (just looking for a second set of eyes to verify before I order the wrong thing).

911309450
911109500
911309550
911109600
911309650
911109700
911309750
911109800
911309850
911109000
User avatar
FatSebastian
Pine Head Legend
Pine Head Legend
Posts: 2803
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:49 pm
Location: Boogerton, PA

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by FatSebastian »

*5 J's* wrote:so a set of 10 from 0.00945 to 0.00900 in 0.00005 increments
I think you intend 0.0945" to 0.0990" in 0.0005" increments...
*5 J's* wrote:(just looking for a second set of eyes to verify before I order the wrong thing).
To me those numbers seemed consistent for black-oxide gages 0.0945" to 0.0990" with plus ("Go") sizing, except that the last number on the order list would need to be 911109900 (instead of 911109000).
*5 J's*
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 755
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Norway, Maine

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by *5 J's* »

Oops couple of typo's. Thanks for the second set of eyes.
quadad
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 494
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:51 am
Location: SE, WI

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by quadad »

Mine are also Vermont Gage, but not black oxide, they range from .0925 to 0.099, also Class ZZ - Plus tolerance. They have served well the last 3-4 years (older to newer style wheels). Make sure you get enough the first time. Not trying to confuse you, but in case someone sees this series:

111309250
111109300
111309350
111109400
111309450
111109500
111309550
111109600
111309650
111109700
111309750
111109800
111309850
111109900
*5 J's*
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 755
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Norway, Maine

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by *5 J's* »

that would be nice to get some use out of the .0950 and below, but I suspecting those haven't got much use.
User avatar
FatSebastian
Pine Head Legend
Pine Head Legend
Posts: 2803
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:49 pm
Location: Boogerton, PA

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by FatSebastian »

quadad wrote:they range from .0925 to 0.099, also Class ZZ - Plus tolerance. They have served well the last 3-4 years (older to newer style wheels).
*5 J's* wrote:that would be nice to get some use out of the .0950 and below, but I suspecting those haven't got much use.
quadad's parenthetical comment suggests that the wider range of gauges are most useful when also measuring the older-style wheels.
*5 J's*
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 755
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Norway, Maine

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by *5 J's* »

hmmm - I don't remember smaller bores. Must pre-date my experience with PWD.
User avatar
FatSebastian
Pine Head Legend
Pine Head Legend
Posts: 2803
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:49 pm
Location: Boogerton, PA

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by FatSebastian »

*5 J's* wrote:hmmm - I don't remember smaller bores.
winderby advertises that pre-2009 wheel bores ranged from 0.093" to 0.098". This seems consistent with quadad's pin set. Nevertheless, I could agree that this distribution is shaped such that the likelihood of needing the extreme gauge sizes is probably very low.
quadad
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 494
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:51 am
Location: SE, WI

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by quadad »

FatSebastian wrote:quadad's parenthetical comment suggests that the wider range of gauges are most useful when also measuring the older-style wheels.
Yep ! I had been saving a bag of 0.093" bore, older-style wheels while we sought better bore prep methods. I ended up keeping them one year too long !!!

My steel gage pins were only $2 each, with no shipping, delivered to a nearby distributor - so I had reason to go for all we might later want. Previously I had bought a full pin gauge set which turned out to be useful for a number of things, but didn't have the half sizes. You spend your money one way or another ... ! :lol:
*5 J's*
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 755
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Norway, Maine

Re: Pin Gauges

Post by *5 J's* »

ordered today for local supplier - $2 each.
Post Reply