Feeler gauges, also called thickness gauges, are crucial hand-operated tools designed to precisely measure the proximate gap widths (size) between two objects. These maintenance and repair devices comprise thick foldable metal strips known as leaves or blades engraved with measurement units in millimeters or inches. These strips, already machined to a specific thickness, are inserted into given gaps to check the consistency, tolerance, and wear or warping in various applications. Widely used in engineering, a feeler gauge can precisely ensure the safety of mechanical parts for maintenance and repair purposes. Additionally, the device features robust design flexibility offering a competitive advantage to fit in hard-to-reach reach areas where other measuring devices do not fit, such as measuring tapes.
Crucial Components of Feeler Gauges
The typical feeler gauge consists of the following components:
- Storage Case – The storage case is designed to protect the gauge and offer compact storage in an intact position. Some storage cases feature separate compartments to keep feeler gauge sets organised.
- Leaves or Blades – These are thin metal strips equipped with a fixed thickness range.
- Locking Device- The locking device serves as a blade locking system to remove or attach blades during operation in hard-to-reach areas.
- Holder/Handle – Some feeler gauge models feature a handle or holder, providing a comfortable and convenient grip.
Popular Types of Feeler Gauges
A feeler gauge comes in a broad range of types based on their materials, intended applications, and thickness ranges, including:
- Steel Feeler Gauges – These are the most widely used feeler gauges made of high-quality stainless steel and are suitable for general-purpose measurement in automotive and mechanical applications.
- Brass Feeler Gauges – Brass feeler gauges are softer and more flexible than steel gauges. They are often used in delicate applications to avoid damage to sensitive components, such as measuring clearances in electronic components.
- Plastic Feeler Gauges – Plastic feeler gauges comprise a set of thin plastic strips or blades, each with a specific marked thickness. These strips come in different colours, representing different thicknesses. Since plastic is softer with no footprints, plastic feeler gauges are preferred for tasks where metal feeler gauges might cause damage or scratching to delicate surfaces.
- Blade Feeler Gauges – Blade feeler gauges consist of individual blades held together with a screw or clip, allowing one to select the desired blade for measurement. This type provides versatility with replacing individual blades if damaged or worn out.
- Straight Leaf Feeler Gauges – These gauges are equipped with a straight and parallel shape.
- Tapered Feeler Gauges – These gauges have a tapered shape, which is beneficial for accessing hard-to-reach areas.
- Tapered Curved Feeler Gauges – These gauges have a combination of tapered and curved blades to measure gaps in curved or contoured surfaces.
- Offset Feeler Gauges – An offset feeler gauge has measuring blades arranged in an offset pattern, bending towards the tip. This design allows for easy measurement of gaps in tight spaces, including in automotive applications.
- Combination Feeler Gauges – Combination feeler or double-ended gauges typically have metric and imperial (inch) measurements on the same blade.
- Long Feeler Gauges – As the name implies, long feeler gauges have extended blades for measuring gaps over a greater distance.
- Angled Feeler Gauges – Angled feeler gauges feature a bent or angled tip for measuring gaps in specific angles or hard-to-reach areas.
- Go NoGo Feeler Gauges – These distinguishing feel gauges got their name due to their unique designs. They comprise a thicker and thinner end where one end can go “Go” into the gap while the other will not go “NoGo”.
- Feeler Strips – Similar to the function in feeler gauges, feeler strips are free and separate strips, each used for measuring gaps.
- Metric and Imperial Feeler Gauges – These feeler gauges feature metric and imperial measurements in millimeters and inches, respectively.
- Feeler Gauge Sets – Feeler thickness gauges often come in gauge sets, comprising different blades or leaves of varied thickness ranges.
Typical Uses of Feeler Gauges
A linear measurement tool, a feeler gauge, is mainly used by professionals in a wide array of applications, including:
- Mechanical Applications
- Engineering
- Automotive Repair
- Maintenance Applications
- Oil & Gas Companies
- Aerospace
- Pharmaceutical Industries
- General Industrial Machining.
