Tool Talk

Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Topic started by: Fins/413 on January 04, 2012, 09:25:39 AM

Title: Wire gauge set
Post by: Fins/413 on January 04, 2012, 09:25:39 AM
I got this cheap off ebay last week. The box paint looks like a faded OD. It lightened up after soaking in Evaporust. Here are the before photos and box photo the gauges are still soaking in Evaporust. Most are in good shape with only about three messed up. No marking on the box at all. It also has a little lifter to push the feeler gauge up and you just pop it off. I used an abrasive to get most of the glue off which messed up the nice bronze patina. I happened to have some carb spray in that color so I sprayed it. It too dark, but at least its mostly one color.
Title: Re: Wire gauge set
Post by: Fins/413 on January 04, 2012, 09:27:05 AM
A couple of after shots. You folks ever seen one like this?
Title: Re: Wire gauge set
Post by: Fins/413 on January 04, 2012, 10:16:18 AM
Here are some photos after derusting the gauges cleaning drying and hitting them with a shot of WD40
Title: Re: Wire gauge set
Post by: Papaw on January 04, 2012, 10:55:54 AM
I've seen tip cleaner sets in a box similar to that.
Title: Re: Wire gauge set
Post by: Fins/413 on January 04, 2012, 11:24:56 AM
Good point but these tips are bent on the last 1/8" or so. Would tip cleaners be bent at the end.
Title: Re: Wire gauge set
Post by: lauver on January 04, 2012, 10:17:33 PM
Not tip cleaners; tip cleaners have a rough surface to clean welding tip orfices.

Fins are smooth wire guages and bent for plug gapping.  The narrow flat guages are probably for point gapping.  All in all, a pretty comprehensive set.  Never seen any in a box arrangement like this though.

That's my guess anyway.   
Title: Re: Wire gauge set
Post by: Neals on January 05, 2012, 01:22:43 AM
I think Lauver has it. I have seen the wire ones for plugs with the bent tips before. Haven't seen flat ones quite like those.
Title: Re: Wire gauge set
Post by: lauver on January 05, 2012, 10:02:09 AM
Gang,

I think these narrow feeler guages may have been designed for small engine service (think motorcycle, lawn mower, boat motor, chain saw, etc).  The points in these engines are typically very small and located inside the magnito/flywheel assembly.  To set the point gap or the timing, you generally have to work thru a small window in the magnito/flywheel.  This is where a narrow feeler guage would be a real advantage.  I could be wrong though...

But, check out these photos of an RK ignition kit wrench from a 1960's vintage 2-stroke motor cycle:

(http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/lauver_photos/RKIgnWrench2.jpg)
(http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/lauver_photos/RKIgnWrench1.jpg)

Note the narrow (about 3/16" wide) feeler guage used for setting the points inside the flywheel.  Look familier?
Title: Re: Wire gauge set
Post by: lauver on January 05, 2012, 10:35:38 AM
Fins/413,

Just curious, are your guages SAE or Metric?  Do the individual wire/feeler guages come out of the box and off that shaft easily?
Title: Re: Wire gauge set
Post by: Fins/413 on January 05, 2012, 12:27:41 PM
Gary they are inches and go down to 0.002" on the ribbon style. They snap right out, very convienent. I can let you guys know the range if you are interested, I do remember the wire goes to 0.080" at the biggest.