Tool Tuesday Ep. 4: Starrett-Webber Gage Blocks

We have a new set of Starrett gage blocks for our granite surface plate. This was my first set of brand new gage blocks and I wanted to share the excitement of opening up these very precise and accurate tools. This set is a Grade B, perfect for inspections and shop use. I give an example of how you can use a stack of gage blocks for comparative measurements.
#abom79 #starrett #gageblocks

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[ericsandberg]

Metrology is such an interesting science/profession, I always enjoyed working in the Met lab and learned so much during those sessions. Seeing how all our equipment was traced back directly to NIST was a real education.

[patrickboudreau]

I think what i love the most about this chanel is the love Abom has for his trade. Not a lot of people are lucky.enough to experience that type of love, not even the very rich. Love the man, love the trade, love the show. Thanks Abom.

[phuzzygreene]

This was fun. I have really developed an appreciation for metrology (a.k.a. chasing zeros). Thank your for sharing as I enjoy your enthusiasm for your particular art form.

[RobertGracie]

Ah exactly what I need after a long 8 hour shift of work today! an Abom video to sooth the nerves :D

[chloehennessey]

When you have your own set of gauge blocks, huge lathes, tooling worth our whole shop; you are the pinnacle of machinists that we home gamers measure ourselves by.

[jasonhull]

I just want to say, I’m so grateful and humbled to see the Starrett company is still thriving. In such a throw away society it really does speak volumes to the quality and craftsmanship that name Carry’s. Even if the majority of us can’t afford to own them.
We can still appreciate them for the historical footprint they have and continue to leave in this industry. Rock on Starrett ! And if you need any help field testing any of fine quality tools I’d be happy to oblige. 😊

[phoolb]

Your excitement is Not taken as a Brag or Boast! Presently, I only have a small Sherline lathes and mill but yet own variety of Starrett & Mitutoyo tools. (micrometers, indicators, gauge blocks, pins, and surface plates... The joy of hitting hitting a dimension right on independent of the machine you used is what make this hobby (for me that is) so enjoyable. Just waiting for when I retire and get a larger shop to purchase a bigger lathe and mill. When taken care of nice tools will last forever and provide a lifetime of excitement and happiness as I still have some of my fathers wood tools in my shop which bring back memories every time I use them.

[jcsrst]

Gauge blocks are fascinating to me. The ability to check all your measuring devices and do absolutely precise measuring is the pinnacle of machinist perfection. Our world would look much different without them!!

[DavidKutzler]

Adam is a big man with large hands, yet, I'm always impressed that he has such a delicate touch when handling and using precision tools.

[ShrubTreez]

Congratulations to a proud, respectfull, and deserving new owner...Thank You for sharing Your excitement with the Universe!

[SPDLTD]

One of my most common uses is calibrating my mics to the nearest gauge block size, especially in the sub 1" range. For example if i need to hit 0.8750 i will calibrate the mics to the .850 block to eliminate any screw drift from simply calibrating against the anvil at 0.0000" Handy little trick.

[SolidRockMachineShopInc]

Nice job Adam. One thing to keep in mind is it takes very heat from touching metal parts to change the size by a few .0001". I bet that the Gage blocks expand by a tenth just by the amount of time you were touching them making it look like the 123 blocks were off a .0001. Just for fun take your 4" block and set your indicator to zero on it without touching it much. Then grab hold of it and within a few seconds you will see the Gage block grow by .0005" to and.001". Tell Lance he did a nice job on the 123 blocks.
Steve

[shubus]

One thing is certain in life: The accuracy of Starrett tools.

[tonyn]

I learned quite a lot about gauge blocks from this video. I am not a machinist, but the craft interests me. Thanks.

[NutjobGTO]

It's always fascinating how, in a shop full of incredibly large, powerful and complicated machines, some of the most important tools are just inert rectangular blocks.

Extremely high precision blocks, but still. Six faces, square corners, zero moving parts, zero surface details, but the huge machine covered in wheels and levers and able to chew through an inch of steel at a pass is dead in the water without them.

[GeorgeWMays]

Extremely cool. Starrett is being a good friend to you. I really enjoyed the video. Thanks. It's appreciated.

[danmetzger]

As usual, a great vid Adam. I am 8 years in now with your channel and treasure visiting you back in 2017. "Keep up the Good Work"!

[peteengard]

The shop my dad worked in did a lot of work for the arospace industry. They had Jo blocks calibrated down to the millionth. There were people from the division of weights and measures that would come to certify the equipment. White gloves were the only thing touching the tools. Nice set Adam. Should last you a lifetime.

[Smallathe]

I love precision/machining tools too... Congratulation on the new gauge block set. Very cool!

[alainmare]

I believe it is recommended to use gloves to manipulate such high precision gauges. Bare hands can oxidize métal even if you cannot see or feel it. We are talking here about a fraction of 1/10000 inch.