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Old 05-28-2023, 01:39 AM
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Default Feeler Gauges

Share what the right ones to get are? just need to know for a 629.

Have seen some talk about using the 10$ sets on amazon, others talking "only used lab certified Starrett" for 300$ a pop.
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Old 05-28-2023, 01:58 AM
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Any of the $10 feeler gauge sets will work fine!
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Old 05-28-2023, 01:58 AM
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I use automotive ones, used for adjusting valves among other things.
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Old 05-28-2023, 02:56 AM
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All this talk about feeler gauges makes me want to set the gap on some points and plugs, problem is I don’t have any cars with points and the plugs are buried.
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Old 05-28-2023, 05:23 AM
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Go on Ebay and search for Starrett, Brown & Sharpe or Lufkin used feeler gauges. Many times you can find a well cared for and well maintained gauge for slightly more than a new Chinesium model. As of yet I have never and would never buy Chinese precision instruments. Just too many high quality vintage tools in excellent condition still available at great prices for me to compromise.

OK - I am not saying that a $10 Chinesium tool would not do the job, but to me is a whole lot more than just measuring a BC Gap. I take pride and enjoyment in owning high quality American made tools - another one of my hobbies.

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Old 05-28-2023, 09:41 AM
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I use an automotive feeler gauge set that I bought back in the early 1980's. Back then, it was still common to have a points type distributor and the feeler gauge was the preferred method of adjusting the points gap.
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Old 05-28-2023, 09:57 AM
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I use an automotive feeler gauge set that I bought back in the early 1980's. Back then, it was still common to have a points type distributor and the feeler gauge was the preferred method of adjusting the points gap.
Well it sure beets setting the points by match book.- Hey you do what you got to do sometimes.

Like you I still use my old feeler gauge stuff from the early 1960s... If I need something more specific my mechanist son brings (with permission) the right things home from work.
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Old 05-28-2023, 03:20 PM
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Well it sure beets setting the points by match book.- Hey you do what you got to do sometimes.
Did that too! Not as precise, but functional.
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Old 05-29-2023, 12:27 AM
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Im just trying to get properly prepped for a new "friend". Now i just need to figure out the correct dimensions to be seeking.
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Old 05-29-2023, 06:12 AM
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Lisle Tool and KD Tool make a bunch of different sets and will work fine for your purposes.
$300 for feller gauges?
What are you setting, the air gap on your flux capacitor?
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Old 05-29-2023, 06:13 AM
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Im just trying to get properly prepped for a new "friend". Now i just need to figure out the correct dimensions to be seeking.
Are we talking B/C gap?
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Old 05-29-2023, 08:28 AM
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I buy my points pre set
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Old 05-29-2023, 08:36 AM
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Recently bought this set from eBay for a whopping $6. Surely Chinese but seem pretty accurate to me. Enough for my use anyway.
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Old 05-29-2023, 08:48 AM
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Chi-Com made or not, be careful buying used feeler gauges. Make sure you can return them if you are not happy with them. Certain sizes of feeler gauges can take a real beating especially in the automotive world, think valve adjustment for an example. Cheap(er) feeler gauges will suffer from being forced between rocker arms and valve stems and you end up with a very nice looking wave gauge. Getting a set of feeler gauges that have been rusted is also a non-starter for me, so use due caution in your purchase of precision gauges unless you don't need precision. After a few attempts at buying Chi-Com stuff that really looked nice, but wasn't and then trying to return them I gave up. I'll pay a few bucks more for the good stuff thank you. The old adage of buy once, cry once applies here too. Buy on the cheap, get cheap.

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Old 05-29-2023, 09:43 AM
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I always found Starrett to be my preferred ones; Then again I was a Quality Assurance Engineer before I retired and could write off the cost of tools. In reality; you do not need to spend the $$ for Starrett; a cheap set would work for your purposes. Ebay or flea markeys can be a good source.

I would suggest that you take a look at a tapered leaf set; they are much easier to use in tight places over a straight leaf set and I always found them more to my liking.
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Old 05-29-2023, 11:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ACORN View Post
Lisle Tool and KD Tool make a bunch of different sets and will work fine for your purposes.
$300 for feller gauges?
What are you setting, the air gap on your flux capacitor?
My point about finding them used on eBay was exactly that - you CAN buy used American made feeler gauges made by Starrett, Brown & Sharp, Lufkin, etc. for roughly the same price as the Chinese brands. Some are slightly stained from age however they retain all their accuracy and usefulness. I have purchased many tools made by these 3 great American manufacturers for the same or just a tad more than a cheap Chinesium tool. For measuring a BC Gap, it hardly matters, however afterwards you at least have a quality tool and a piece of history that will most likely be used again. I take pride and get enjoyment from using high quality tools - hey, it ain't easy being me - lol!

Some guys don't give a hoot - but I, as well as some others might, so I just wanted to make everyone aware of another option. Remember, a Rolex doesn't tell time any better than a cell phone does, but it sure makes a better statement, look and feeling.

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Old 05-29-2023, 11:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick H. View Post
Chi-Com made or not, be careful buying used feeler gauges. Make sure you can return them if you are not happy with them. Certain sizes of feeler gauges can take a real beating especially in the automotive world, think valve adjustment for an example.
Cheap(er) feeler gauges will suffer from being forced between rocker arms and valve stems and you end up with a very nice looking wave gauge. Getting a set of feeler gauges that have been rusted is also a non-starter for me, so use due caution in your purchase of precision gauges unless you don't need precision. After a few attempts at buying Chi-Com stuff that really looked nice, but wasn't and then trying to return them I gave up. I'll pay a few bucks more for the good stuff thank you. The old adage of buy once, cry once applies here too. Buy on the cheap, get cheap.

Rick H.
Even the best of tools will suffer when abused. One doesn't "force" a feeler gauge...
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Old 05-29-2023, 11:48 AM
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Default miniature set works on revos for me

I have wide blade sets and a miniature set too. I do small engine repair sometimes and just replaced a blown head gasket on a 19 HP B&S tractor....wide blades work perfect for setting exhaust and intake valve clearances.

For my S & W revolvers though the wide blades are too wide to fit the B/C gap. With any feeler gauges it is a matter of personal feel (do you like heavy, light or medium "drag"?). Also I like to be able to slide my chosen feeler all the way through the gap to be measured, which I cannot do with a wide blade on certain S&W revos.

Pics are of my Model 34-1 (22LR kit gun) and the B/C gap is 0.006" the wide blade barely starts (the circular tip) then hangs up with the full width trying to get through. The miniature set slides right through giving me that nice medium drag that I prefer.
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Old 05-30-2023, 08:40 AM
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Even the best of tools will suffer when abused. One doesn't "force" a feeler gauge...
Many mechanics consider feeler gauges to be expendable supplies, myself included. While we might have a couple of sets, the sizes that we use all day long are bought in long strips (12" long) and just consumed as they get misshapen.

One does use quite a bit of force with a feeler gauge. Take a 10 thou micrometer and set it to a reading minus one tenth, even and plus one tenth and then measure with your feeler blade. You can accurately tell the difference and "at the correct thickness" takes quite a bit of force for the fit.

I was taught at Mercedes-Benz school (1970) that valves are set with a really firm push of the feeler..........which turns out to be an accurate setting.

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Old 05-30-2023, 11:27 AM
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I too have a bunch of Starrett 12" strip sets that I use to measure items that are either inconvenient to get to with a conventional feeler gauge, might harm them or I need to take to a gun show with me. I will usually put 2" strips cut from the 12" stock sheets about 1/2" wide in the range of .003" - .007". If the revolver doesn't fall between those ranges I usually pass. The small strips of feeler gauge fit right in my wallet and are very easy to carry all the time.

I also have 12" x 8" feeler gauge sheets in many many sizes that I use for repair work and other various purposes. I have not found the box yet since my move last year, but I know they are around somewhere.
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Old 05-30-2023, 11:55 AM
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As usual , this thread has turned into a contest of who has the coolest stuff . The man just asked about a feeler gauge and it didn't appear that he wanted to build a Space Shuttle .
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Old 05-31-2023, 01:01 AM
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As usual , this thread has turned into a contest of who has the coolest stuff . The man just asked about a feeler gauge and it didn't appear that he wanted to build a Space Shuttle .
Its what one expects on forums of all types.
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Old 05-31-2023, 01:09 AM
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All this talk about feeler gauges makes me want to set the gap on some points and plugs, problem is I don’t have any cars with points and the plugs are buried.
you can come over to my place. 2 of my 3 Buicks still run points. Tough to get quality condensors though.
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Old 05-31-2023, 06:48 AM
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I have a like 3 sets of feeler gauges, likely bought 1st either from Walmart or parts store, don't remember. Always worked perfect for adjusting valves. Bought another set at HF, just needed one blade for shimming a steering shaft. But the rest of the set is still there in case I need it. Also have a brass? set for places where being magnetic is a problem. Forgot what I was setting that required it, that was many moons ago.

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Old 06-03-2023, 09:31 PM
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When you see Snap-on truck get them off him, they will be made in the USA.

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