FEELER GAUGE

A feeler gauge or thickness gauge is a tool used to measure gap

widths. Feeler gauges are mostly used in engineering to measure the
clearance between two parts.
It is common to have two sets for imperial units (typically measured
in thousandths of an inch) and metric (typically measured in
hundredths of a millimetre) measurements.
They consist of a number of small lengths of steel of different
thicknesses with measurements marked on each piece. They are
flexible enough that, even if they are all on the same hinge, several
can be stacked together to gauge intermediate values.
The lengths of steel are sometimes called leaves or blades, although
they have no sharp edge.


How to use it
Each of the blades of the thickness gauge has a different measurement
on it, e.g. .025, .0015 (very thin), etc. Separate the one you want and
fold the rest away.
Slide the measuring blade in to the gap you want to set, then move the
machinery you are adjusting so that it just touches the gauge, then
move it out just slightly. Dont grip the measuring blade too much
tight, it should be able to just slide in and out. Don't use the
machinery to clamp it in, as that will actually be too small a gap and
also you'll dent the soft metal of the blade.
Once you have the gap set so you can just get the blade out, tighten up
the machinery a bit, but not to full tightness. Now double check you
can get the blade in but it doesn't rattle, and you can't get the next size
blade up in the gap. If it's still right, tighten up the machinery the rest
of the way.
Don't forget to fold away the blade before putting the thickness gauge
in your toolbox, as they're easily bent.
NOTE: There are many types of feeler gauges, each with a specific
application. Feeler gauges usually come in sets with a number of
blades. The thickness of each blade is marked in thousandths of an
inch and hundredths of a mm. A marking of 0.040 indicates the feeler
is 40 thousandths of an inch thick. It may also indicate a measurement
of 1.02 millimeters. A feeler marked 0.005 indicates the thickness is 5
thousandths of an inch. It may also indicate 0.12 millimeters.
Some sets contain feelers made of brass. These are to take
measurements between magnetic components.
When measuring a spark plug gap, it is preferable to use wire feeler
gauges. These feelers use accurately machined pieces of wire instead
of metal strips.
If the feeler gauge feels too loose when measuring a gap, select the
next size larger and measure the gap again. Repeat this procedure
until the feeler gauge fits snugly in the gap. If the feeler gauge is too
tight, select a smaller size until the feeler gauge fits snugly in the gap

Safety check
Never use feeler gauges on operating machinery.
Feeler gauges are strips of hardened metal that have been
ground or rolled to a precise thickness. They can be very thin
and will cut through skin if not handled correctly.
Select the part you wish to check, and make sure its clean.
Finish the job by cleaning the feeler gauge set with an oily cloth
to prevent rust when you put the set away.