What is a pin gauge?

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Pin gauges are cylindrical pin shaped plugs sized to a high precision. The main function of a pin gauge is to inspect the inner diameters of your workpiece. They are commonly used similarly to a Go and No-Go gauge to qualify whether a hole is within a certain specification. You can also use it to test for geometric deviations in measurements. Pin gauges are useful for checking the straightness of a deep hole.

They can be made of many types of materials: Steel, Carbide, Ceramic, Zirconia, Hard Metal Alloy. LFC is the authorized distributor of Eisen Pin Gauges. Eisen pin gauges are made of the following materials:

• Steel
• Ceramic (Zirconia)
• Tungsten carbine

Pin gauge can be sold as a set or individually. Pin gauges in a set come in assorted sizes with small increments. These increments can be in 0.01 mm or 0.001 mm depending on your requirements. These small increments are minute as pin gauge are typically used in smaller holes applications, which requires high precision and accuracy. Every pin is marked with its exact size so that the user can easily identify these pins.

How to use a pin gauge?

If you own a complete set of pin gauge, you can start by inserting the pin gauge with the smallest diameter into the workpiece hole. You can then insert the pin gauge in increasing order of size until you find the pin gauge that fits nicely into the workpiece bore. You should not push the pin gauge into the bore by force. Ideally, the minimum or &#;Go&#; pin is use for the lower limit of the bore. It should fit nicely with no force. The maximum or &#;No Go&#; pin gauge is for the upper limit. It will not fit even if a small force is applied to push it in.

Caring for Your Pin Gauge

Regular maintenance and calibration of pin gauges will help to ensure that your bore inspection will be accurate and help to improve the tool life of the pin gauge. A lack of care can result in an unreliable instrument. We are going to discuss next some habits that you can incorporate to care for your pin gauge.

The Right Usage

We encourage you to start by using your pin gauge correctly. Most of the time, pin gauges go out of size or become unreliable due to wrong usage. The most common mistake users make is applying too much force when using a pin gauge. When too much force is applied on a pin gauge, it can damage your pin gauge and cause it to change from its desired size. On top of that, we recommend that you use the pin vise to handle the pin gauge. This way it will be less affected by the temperature from your bare hands and maintain its accuracy.

The Right Storage

Storing your pin gauge properly is another way you can extend your pin gauge&#;s tool life. Ideally, it should be protected from outside environmental factors like heat and moisture. These things can affect the pin gauge over time. We recommend you have a proper container for your pin gauges. Eisen pin gauges are individually packed in a storage container. This ensures that the pin gauge is stored in cool and dry surroundings.

This will be especially important if you have a set of pin gauges. We recommend that they are individually separated into small cases. We risk damaging the pin gauges when they are not separated and in contact with each other.

The Right Maintenance

The right way to maintain your pin gauge in good working order is by doing maintenance regularly as a routine. To ensure your pin gauge is accurate, maintenance should be done to verify that all components are up to standards. Some things you can look out for during maintenance include dirt, debris, and oil. These elements may cause the pin gauge to corrode.

The Right Calibration

Regular calibration is the best way you can check the accuracy of the pin gauge. Most manufacturers recommend that calibration is done every year. However, we are of the opinion that the pin gauge&#;s calibration should be dependent on how frequently the tool is used. The more frequently a pin gauge is used, the greater the likelihood of it being damaged due to wear and tear. Hence, it is better for pin gauge with heavy usage to be calibrated more than once a year.

Other Uses

Besides inspection of small holes, pin gauges can be used in many other ways: 

Check out the video below to see more examples on other uses of pin gauges:

 

About Eisen Pin Gauges

Eisen pin gauges are manufactured by Eisen Co., Ltd in Japan. Besides pin gauges, Eisen also produces plug gauges, ring gauges and diamond/CBN tools. The company has been producing pin gauges since . As a result, Eisen has a wide range of pin gauges and accessories to meet the differing needs or invidual users.

Master pin gauges have better tolerance, circularity, diameter variation and surface roughness compared to conventional gauges.

 

 Regular Pin Gauge

 Master Pin Gauge

 Tolerance

±1 μm

±0.5 μm

 Roundness

0.8 μm

0.3 μm

 Cylindricity

0.8 μm

0.15 μm

 Roughness

0.20 μm Ra

0.05 μm Ra

 

The ET series contains 14 pin gauges with ± 0.3 μm tolerance for high precision measurements in micron units. Standard sizes range from minus 3 μm to plus 10 μm increasing in 1 μm increments. Custom sizes and combinations can also be made to meet unique customer needs.

Specifications

 Set Range (mm)

 Length (mm)

 Tolerance

 Roundness

 Cylindricity

 0.297 mm - 1.496 mm

30.00

±0.3 μm

0.3 μm

0.3 μm

 1.497 mm - 10.010 mm

40.00

±0.3 μm

0.3 μm

0.3 μm

Dimensions

The edge on one side chamfered to a 30° angle for easier insertion.

 

The EP series contains 16 to 51 pin gauges with up to ± 1.5 μm tolerance for high precision measurements in micron units. Each standard size increases by 0.01 mm increments and all pin gauges are 58 HRC or harder. The nominal sizes are indicated on the plastic case for gauges up to 0.99 mm while nominal sizes for all pin gauges are laser-engraved onto the pin gauge itself. The class 0 pin gauges are also provided with measurement data.

Specifications (Class-0)

 Set Range (mm)

 Length (mm)

 Tolerance

 Roundness

 Cylindricity

 0.20 mm - 0.99 mm

40.00

±0.5 μm

0.3 μm

0.15 μm

 1.00 mm - 10.00 mm

50.00

±0.5 μm

0.3 μm

0.15 μm

Specifications (Class-1)

 Set Range (mm)

 Length (mm)

 Tolerance

 Roundness

 Cylindricity

 0.05 mm - 0.99 mm

40.00

±0.1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

 1.00 mm - 10.00 mm

50.00

±0.1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

 10.01 mm - 20.00 mm

50.00

±1.5 μm

1.3 μm

1.3 μm

 

The EP series contains 51 pin gauges with up to ± 1.5 μm tolerance for high precision measurements in micron units. Each standard size increases by 0.01 mm increments and all pin gauges are 58 HRC or harder. The nominal sizes are indicated on the plastic case for gauges up to 0.995 mm while nominal sizes for all pin gauges are laser-engraved onto the pin gauge itself. The class 0 pin gauges are also provided with measurement data.

Specifications (Class-0)

 Set Range (mm)

 Length (mm)

 Tolerance

 Roundness

 Cylindricity

 0.205 mm - 0.995 mm

40.00

±0.5 μm

0.3 μm

0.15 μm

 1.005 mm - 10.005 mm

50.00

±0.5 μm

0.3 μm

015 μm

Specifications (Class-1)

 Set Range (mm)

 Length (mm)

 Tolerance

 Roundness

 Cylindricity

 0.205 mm - 0.995 mm

40.00

±0.1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

 1.005 mm - 10.005 mm

50.00

±0.1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

 10.015 mm - 15.005 mm

50.00

±1.5 μm

1.3 μm

1.3 μm

 

The WS series is a set of 400 to 500 pin gauges that come with a wooden storage case. This compact wooden storage cabinet is ideal for any inspection room or constant temperature room and is available in class 0 or class 1 pin gauges. The wooden storage case comes with or without glass windows and can hold small gauge hexagonal plastic cases.  

 

 

WS Series with glass window

 

WS Series without glass window

 Dimensions  

W465 x D280 x H520

 Weight

13kg

 

The SS series is a set of over 900 pin gauges that come with a steel storage case. This sturdy steel cabinet is ideal for use at manufacturing sites and available in class 0 or class 1 pin gauges. The steel storage can hold small and large gauge hexagonal plastic cases when used in combination and is slightly larger than the WS series case at W500xD550XH600, weighing around 37kg.

 

The FC series contains 51 pin gauges with ±3 μm tolerance for high precision measurements in micron units. The pin gauge can be used together with a handle (sold separately) and the tap hole has a dimension of M10x1.5 with a depth of 12mm. Custom sizes and combinations can also be made to meet unique customer needs.

Specifications

 Set Range (mm)

 Length (mm)

 Tolerance

 Roundness

 Cylindricity

 20.00 mm - 30.00 mm

50.00

±2 μm

1.6 μm

1.6 μm

 30.01 mm - 50.00 mm

50.00

±3 μm

2.4 μm

2.4 μm

supply professional and honest service.

Dimensions

 

The ES series contains 51 pin gauges with handles that have up to ± 1.5 μm tolerance for high precision measurements in micron units. Each standard size increases by 0.01 mm increments and all pin gauges are 58 HRC or harder. Custom sizes and combinations can also be made to meet unique customer needs.

Specifications

 Set Range (mm)

 Gauge (mm)

 Shank (mm)

 Dimension

 0.05 mm - 0.19 mm

5.00

25.00

Type I

 0.20 mm - 0.49 mm

10.00

25.00

Type I

 0.50 mm - 0.99 mm

20.00

25.00

Type I

 1.00 mm - 10.00 mm

30.00

26.00

Type II

 10.01 mm - 13.00 mm

30.00

28.00

Type III

 13.01 mm - 18.00 mm

30.00

28.00

Type III

 18.01 mm - 20.00 mm

30.00

28.00

Type III

Dimensions

 

 

The EC series contains 51 pin gauges made from fine ceramics (zirconia) that have up to ± 1.5 μm tolerance for high precision measurements in micron units. Each standard size increases by 0.01 mm increments and all pin gauges are 58 HRC or harder. Custom sizes and combinations can also be made to meet unique customer needs. Sizes are indicated on the plastic cases for gauges up to 1.49mm and are laser engraved on gauges 1.50mm and larger. 

Specifications

 Set Range (mm)

 Length (mm)

 Tolerance

 Roundness

 Cylindricity

 0.20 mm - 1.49 mm

40.00

±1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

 1.50 mm - 10.00 mm

50.00

±1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

 10.01 mm - 20.00 mm

50.00

±1.5 μm

1.3 μm

1.3 μm

 

The ECS series contains 51 pin gauges made from fine ceramics (zirconia) with handles that have up to ± 1.5 μm tolerance for high precision measurements in micron units. Each standard size increases by 0.01 mm increments and all pin gauges are 58 HRC or harder. Custom sizes and combinations can also be made to meet unique customer needs. Sizes are indicated on the plastic cases for gauges up to 1.49mm and are laser engraved on gauges 1.50mm and larger. 

Specifications

 Set Range (mm)

 Tolerance

 Gauge (mm)

 Shank (mm)

 Cylindricity

 0.20 mm - 0.49 mm

±1 μm

10.00

25.00

0.8 μm

 0.50 mm - 0.99 mm

±1 μm

20.00

25.00

0.8 μm

 1.00 mm - 10.00 mm

±1 μm

30.00

26.00

0.8 μm

 10.01 mm - 20.00 mm

±1.5 μm

30.00

20.00

1.3 μm

 

The EG series contains 51 pin gauges made from tungsten carbide that have up to ± 1 μm tolerance for high precision measurements in micron units. Each standard size increases by 0.01 mm increments and all pin gauges are 58 HRC or harder. Custom sizes and combinations can also be made to meet unique customer needs. Sizes are indicated on the plastic cases for gauges up to 1.49mm and are laser engraved on gauges 1.50mm and larger. 

Specifications

 Set Range (mm)

 Length (mm)

 Tolerance

 Roundness

 Cylindricity

 0.20 mm - 0.99 mm

40.00

±1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

 1.00 mm - 10.00 mm

50.00

±1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

 

The EGS series contains 51 pin gauges made from tungsten carbide with handles that have up to ± 1 μm tolerance for high precision measurements in micron units. Each standard size increases by 0.01 mm increments and all pin gauges are 58 HRC or harder. Custom sizes and combinations can also be made to meet unique customer needs. Sizes are indicated on the plastic cases for gauges up to 1.49mm and are laser engraved on gauges 1.50mm and larger. 

Specifications

 Set Range (mm)

 Length (mm)

 Tolerance

 Roundness

 Cylindricity

 0.20 mm - 0.99 mm

40.00

±1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

 1.00 mm - 10.00 mm

50.00

±1 μm

0.8 μm

0.8 μm

Eisen Pin Gauge Accessories

Along with its numerous pin gauges, Eisen also sells accessories for use in conjunction with their pin gauges to aid in its usage and to keep your tools safe. 

Carrying Hex Case Storage Box

Pin Vise

Plastic Case

 

To safely store up to 52 pin gauges.

Small: W220 x D200 x H75 mm

Large: W330 x D200 x H75 mm

This tool helps to hold your pin gauges, making them easier to use.

Plastic cases are used to protect each and every one of your pin gauges to prevent damage and distortions that may affect its abilities to perform its functions.

Hex case (small): 0.05 - 10.00 mm range

Hex case (large): 10.01 - 20.00 mm range

HK-31: 20.01 - 25.00 mm range

HK-40: 25.01 - 35.00 mm range

HK-60: 35.01 - 55.00 mm range

If you are looking for a pin gauge or wish to find out more, feel free to contact us for a consultation.

 

LFC PTE LTD

8 Ubi Rd 2, #03-01, Zervex Singapore

 

References

1. Plug/pin gauge. GaugeHow. (, July 16). https://gaugehow.com/plug-pin-gauge/.

2. HOW TO PROPERLY CARE FOR YOUR PIN GAUGE. e2b calibration. (, August 24). https://e2bcal.com/properly-care-pin-gauge/. 

 

 

Part dimensions to be gaged should be cleaned and burr free to prevent gaging interference. Grit and part chips which become lodged in thread gages will create scratches and wear on the flanks of threads and on the outside and inside diameters of cylindrical plain gages. Various materials such as aluminum and castings are extremely abrasive and will tend to wear out gages more quickly than other types of materials. Finer pitch and smaller diameter thread gages tend to wear quicker than larger and coarser pitch gages and have less gage tolerance as well. Regarding thread gages, it only takes a small amount of wear to have a significant effect on the pitch diameter. The wear on each flank angle is multiplied by almost 4 times to determine the total impact of wear on the pitch diameter. 50 microinches or 1 micron of wear per thread flank will impact the measured size by .&#; which can be the total tolerance of many thread gages.

Selecting higher precision gagemaker tolerances for cylindrical plug and ring gages will consume less product tolerance and will allow the acceptance of slightly more product but with less gage wear life and greater expense. Thread Check&#;s engineering staff can make recommendations in selecting the correct gagemaker tolerances for a given application. The normal rule of practice requires that 10% of part tolerance be divided between the Go and the No Go gages. Applying this practice results in gage tolerance always being included in the part tolerance by up to 10%.This could result in the possibility that 10% of good parts may fail inspection but that no bad product would ever pass. Assuming that higher precision gagemaker tolerances are better, is not valid, and may create quality issues as these gages tend to wear quicker with the potential of becoming undersized and passing bad parts.

Gages should be turned or pushed slowly and gently into or onto the dimension being checked. Forcing gages will result in faulty gaging and the possibility of damaging both the part and gage. Spinning thread ring gages or thread plug gages onto or into parts will create greater friction and increased wear thus reducing the life of the gage.

Using hard chrome plated thread gages can extend the wear life by more than 100% over standard tool steel gages which can provide dramatic savings on replacement costs. Thread Check supplies all standard size thread plug gages in inches and metric up to 1 ½ or 39mm in diameter in hard chrome at no additional cost. Other options for coatings and alternate material for thread gages and cylindrical gages include tin coat, carbide, alternate steels and even ceramic. There are pros and cons to utilizing various coatings and materials in gage applications which should be discussed with your gage maker. For example, gages made of carbide and ceramic are extremely durable and have excellent wear properties, but can be extremely brittle and break and chip if not handled carefully.

A thin coating of gage lubricant will help reduce friction from gage to part.

Proper training of personnel involved in the use of gages will pay dividends on ensuring the gages are treated with care and last longer. Review the current inventory of gages and look for visual signs of nicks, dents and scratches on gage members and handles. Evidence of this may suggest the gages are not being handled properly.

The effects of thermal expansion should be taken into consideration on both the part and the gage.

The temperature of the part and the gage should be the same. 68° F is the ideal temperature at which both part and gage should be at when inspected because gages are calibrated at 68° F. This effectively eliminates any error due to thermal expansion.

Protecting gages from excessive heat, humidity, moisture and corrosive chemicals will extend the life of your gages. After use, gages should be cleaned and recoated with a thin-film rust preventative or dipped in an easy to peel oil-based waxed coating, and stored properly.

Gages should be periodically inspected and calibrated to assure accuracy. Go member gages tend to wear quicker with normal use. NOGO gages will wear on the ends that receive the greatest usage. Frequency of inspection and calibration should be dependent on such factors as the amount of usage, part and gage material, tolerance, and quality procedures.

Feel free to contact us by or if you have any questions or requirements regarding this topic

   

Contact Us

      Thread Check Inc.
      Precision Gage Solutions
      900 Marconi Avenue
      Ronkonkoma, New York U.S.A.

     Toll Free
     800 767 U.S.A. and Canada
     631 231 Global

      24 Hour Fax
      800 767 U.S.A.
      631 231 Global

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