Grip Thread Pitch Gauge MM & SAE

Very happy with this after some initial confusion. Never having used one, I assumed that one end is metric, the other "non-metric." Wrong!! Well, duh! Metric and SAE front-to-back, no left-to-right! You'll find a metal divider along the length of the tool that separates the two types. One side is imprinted V-US-AMER-NAT 4-42. The reverse is METRIC 60deg; they are separated by a divider down the middle. So, hold it facing one way, and metric gauges are on BOTH left and right. Flip it over and SAE (non-metric) are likewise on both left and right. (Didn't come with instructions that would have been helpful.) Once I figured this out, it's easy-peasy! [BTW, I used the term "non-metric" along with SAE. The package says SAE, while the tool is imprinted with V-US-AMER-NAT. Someone who knows more will have to explain if there's a difference between V-US-AMER-NAT and SAE, or if that's a distinction without a difference.] The SAE (non-metric) pitches are in TPI (threads per inch), and a 1/4"-20 bolt matched perfectly to the gauge labeled 20, and 3/8"-16 matched perfectly to 16. Metric thread pitch is by the distance in mm between threads in mm. That's how the gauges are labeled. I put it to use immediately on my telescope adapter rings to distinguish tiny metric M 1.0 from M 0.75. After struggling to eyeball thread pitches with calipers, this works like a charm. It has plenty of metric and SAE sizes but double check the range to make sure it includes yours. My packaging states: - SAE 4-42 - Metric 0.25-5.5mm - 60 degree thread profiles Thumb wheels loosen or tighten the constellation of sizes so you can swing the ones you need into view and stow the others. You could use it to measure tapped threads INSIDE a hole or bolt if the hole is large enough to insert the gauge; I measure about 6mm clearance for inserting in a hole. Others mentioned rusting. Like a lot of machine tools, it comes with a light coating of oil but will probably rust in wet environments over time, so care for it appropriately. Numbers are inscribed into the metal with a small (2.5mm tall), clear font; older eyes may need reading glasses or a magnifier to read them more easily, but there's no more room for anything larger. Some reviews criticize the labels as hard to read; I think it's good enough given the space constraints. A nice addition to my toolkit for $10!

This thread measuring tool is a must in correcting damaged metal threads with any thread restoration tool. It is compact and easy to carry in your pocket. It is of high quality standards and comes at a bargain price. It's measuring accuracy assures you a job well done, the first time.

Overall, for the price, I think this is a great tool. The range of thread guages offered is more then sufficent for most any requirements, and the design is easy and convenient to use. It feels to be of good, quality/durability as well. That being said, it seems there may be a slight quality control issue as my thread guage did not include the 2.0mm pitch guage and instead had a duplicate 1.5mm pitch guage in its place. This isn't a huge issue as it's the only one missing and I can still identify a 2.0mm pitch based on how the adjacent 1.75mm and 2.5mm guages fit, but I thought it was worth noting.

Very nice and easy to use

For how cheap this is. It works extremely well. I use it multiple times a week. Have to tap a hole for a bolt but don’t know the threads. This is a fool proof to verify the thread pitch. There is often times parts for machines that I need to make new ones. A lot of manufacturers intentionally made of ball thread pitch to make it more difficult to make their parts so you had to buy them. This gauge is great to quickly find exactly what pitch it is.

Great tool, lost my old one

Metric and SAE in one compact tool Small, but big enough not to misplace

This device is okay- more later- but it's assembled in such a way that makes it error-prone and harder to use than necessary! But that part you can fix. It's bad enough that metric and SAE thread size natural units are inversely related — pitch in mm, vs. threads per inch. When the blades are mixed, and the small markings all face the same direction, it's not at all obvious which are metric and which are SAE. When you look at one side of this tool, you'll either see all blade markings, or none. Several commented about bad accuracy, but I think the type and orientation mixing makes it easy to make a mistake. It takes one who had VERY good visual acuity and is skilled in the art of threads, to tell whether a blade is Metric or SAE. See Photo 1, the unit as shipped — all blade markings show and face the same direction. You must spread them out and inspect very closely to figure out which blade size and measurement system you have. I'm all but certain these difficulties are responsible for many of the 1-star ratings. It's a real shame, too, because with a little time and care, the blades can be re-oriented to make reading them nearly fool-proof! Photo 2 shows the 'Metric' blades oriented so all blades with metric markings all face toward the plate stamped "Metric". Turn the unit over (Photo 3) and all visibly marked blades are SAE, with markings facing the V-US-AMER-Nat plate. That way, if you can see blade markings, the large fixturing plates show which measurement system blades you see, at a glance. Difficult to convey is just how much more room this orientation gives to see blade markings. With blades oriented this way, in sequence, splayed out ~180° degrees, each unit system facing the same way, it's hard to make a mistake. Yeah, the config sure won't stay so neat after some use, but you just have to rotate them into position because the markings will still be consistent and the sequence correct. That will prevent a lot of mistakes! Other negative comments about this product are fair enough. It's cheaply made. No one's going to mistake it for a quality German product. The stampings are small and hard to read, there are too many blades for each mounting post. It could have had two more posts, or even been organized into two separate pieces, one for each unit system. It would certainly help if the blades were longer, even if they didn't have a full-length stamped thread scale. Regarding accuracy, I don't have precision tools to evaluate that, but they were all consistent with the metric sizes on my cars, and the common-size household things with English/SAE threads. They're the next-best thing to a nut and bolt thread sizer, and far less tedious. Someone noted the absence of a "19" (TPI?) blade. I've never heard of one — You? OTOH, there is an 11-½ TPI blade, which I learned is the standard for U.S. garden hoses. So it's well-enough for my meager garage needs. Sure, I'd like ne-plus-ultra quality, but can't justify that. My hack mechanic days are quickly winding down and my posterity wouldn't comprehend the value.