I haven’t posted in a while for several reasons:

• I’ve been working on a super secret project
• I’m waiting to see results on several other projects
• All else has been mundane (lawn mower repair, flat tires, swapping alternators, fixing hydraulics….)

However, I am very excited to present these thread gauges (sorry about the poor picture quality).

I purchased a set like this about 18 years ago and was amazed at how simple, accurate, and useful they are. They each have a hole to determine the bolt diameter and serrations around the outside to determine pitch. Two are Imperial threads, one is metric threads, and one is a combination of NPT and spark plug threads. If you want a set, look up Thexton part number THE432.

You are probably wondering why this isn’t in the “mundane” category that I mentioned above. You probably think that thread gauges are pretty boring to write about, even for an unemployed guy. BUT, there is a story behind them.

7 years into my ownership of my first set, I brought them to the Tavern to measure some threaded parts from a friend’s gun (yes, this is Texas) but mostly to show them off. It was a fun night, and I went home after finishing my beer ration. Several days later, I needed to measure a part and my gauges were missing.

“No bid deal,” I thought, “I must have left them at the Tavern.” I went to retrieve them from the lost and found.  No suck luck.

“No bid deal,” I thought, “They weren’t that expensive. I’ll just buy a new set.”  I went online, and I found nothing. I drove to my favorite stores: Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, Grainger, Wholesale Tool, Tractor Supply… nothing. I think the lady at Tractor Supply almost laughed when she saw a tear forming in the corner of my eye. I was at the end of my rope.

About a week later, I was back at the Tavern drowning my sorrows over the loss. The bartender from that fateful night had been on vacation, but before leaving she had noticed my thread gauges sitting on the bar at closing. She stuck them them in her purse because she realized they were far too important for the lost and found. We were reunited at last!!!

8 years later, I moved from my house near downtown to one with decent shop space and plenty of parking. During the move, I put my treasured thread gauges somewhere safe so they wouldn’t be lost. Unfortunately, the place I chose was too safe. They have not been seen since. I’ve searched and searched, but they are still safely tucked away somewhere.

Out of desperation, I finally decided that it was time to move on with my life and settle for an inferior style of thread gauge. A week ago, I searched to the deepest depths of the internet for the best thread gauge. To my surprise, these are available again!!! Now I just need to find somewhere safe to put them so they don’t get lost. Once I figure out that place, I’ll probably find my other set!

 

On a side note, I’m glad nobody reads this drivel. They’d think I’m crazy.