Proper use, care and maintenance of HEMCO Gages

Quick Tips:

• Keep Your Gages Clean
• Store Your Gages Properly
• Calibrate Your Gages Accurately
• Use Your Gages Correctly

Keep Your Gages Clean

Clean gages give more accurate readings and last longer.

Protect your investment by doing the following:

• Never leave your gages in contact with dirt or oil for long periods of time. Oils can corrode the polished surface of your gage. This includes skin oils.
• Wash your hands before handling gages. The natural acids and alkalinity on our skin can cause rusting or corrosion. Hold the gages by the ends only, to minimize contact with skin.
• Use a soft, non-abrasive and clean cloth to wipe your gages clean, before and after use. A dirty, chip-filled cloth can mar the highly finished surface.
• After calibration, use a good cleaning solvent to remove dirt, oils and fingerprints, then wipe dry with another soft, clean cloth.
• Be sure piece parts have been properly cleaned before using the gages. Chips, grinding grit, oils, or any foreign matter can affect readings and result in a negative inspection.
• Store Your Gages Properly

Heat, moisture and abrasion will damage your gages and reduce their accuracy considerably.

When storing gages:

• Keep them in a dry and cool place, away from sunlight or any intense heat. The sun's heat can cause the gages to expand and then contract when they cool. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause corrosion.
• Store them on a clean, dry cloth in a specially designated container. Make sure the gages do not rub against each other, as this will scratch their surface.
• Keep them organized so they can be used efficiently. Set up a cart, tray, or inspection station to contain them.
• Keep inspection gages away from operators. They are often tempted to use them to check their work in progress.
• Select a fixed location to keep the gages during an inspection and be sure to keep the final inspection gages separated from the product inspection gages.
• Calibrate Your Gages Accurately

Regularly calibrating your Hemco gages will ensure their accuracy and longevity, which ensures accurate parts for your customers.

Be sure your gages are properly calibrated by:

• Following wear tolerance charts and gage maker tolerances
• Keeping a record on each gage to track usage, wear life and number of pieces checked
• Ensuring thread ring gages are set to proper setting plugs; don't expect setting plugs to be interchangeable between thread rings
• Checking that gages are properly marked for size, tolerance, etc. in case of mislabeling during issue
• Making sure parts to be checked are clean and the same temperature of the gage to prevent seizing
• Use Your Gages Correctly

Preventing damage and misuse of your gages will go a long way in prolonging their wear life and performance.

Follow these suggestions to protect them from needless wear and tear:

• Make sure your inspectors and operators know how to use and care for gages properly - it will be time well spent.
• Use the right gage for the job, e.g. use working gages for manufacturing processes and inspection gages for final inspections. Master gages are used to double check working gages, not for product inspections.
• Gages are not designed to size out pieces. Sometimes operators make the piece fit the gage by forcing the gage into or over the piece part; this quickly wears out the gage.
• Gages scratch and mar easily - don't throw them or use them for any task other than that for which they were designed.
• If a gage is dropped, be sure to check it for nicks or other damage before using it again.
• Keep the gages away from sharp tools, even while removing the protective plastic coating on thread or cylindrical gages. Microscopic damage can easily occur affecting the accuracy of the gage.
• Make sure the gage is properly marked. An improperly marked gage will cause confusion. Either replace the markings or purchase a new handle.