F.A.Q.
How do I zero an analog dial thickness gauge before taking a measurement?
Before inserting your sample, gently release the lifting lever so the upper and lower feelers make clean, full contact. If the main pointer does not align with zero, loosen the locking screw on the side of the indicator housing, rotate the knurled outer bezel until the 0 mark aligns directly with the pointer, and re-tighten the locking screw. Always wipe the contact faces clean of dust or fibers prior to zeroing.
Are analog dial thickness gauges available in both Metric (mm) and Imperial (inch) graduations?
Yes. While metric graduations (0.01 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.001 mm) are standard on models like the Hans-Schmidt J-50 and Checkline DM-820, ABQ Industrial also supplies dedicated Imperial (inch) mechanical dial gauges—including the Hans-Schmidt JZ-100 (0–0.4" range, 0.001" graduation), the Checkline JZ-50R Wire Diameter Gauge (0.0005" graduation), and inch-scale options on the Hans-Schmidt K-300-50 (0–2.0" range).
Why dodo 1 µm analog foil thickness gauges feature thermally insulated handles?
When measuring ultra-thin films and foils at 0.001 mm (1 µm) resolution and ±0.5 µm to ±3 µm accuracy—such as with the Checkline F-1000-30, Hans-Schmidt F-1101-30, and Checkline F-1101-30-01—natural heat from the operator's hand can cause microscopic thermal expansion in a metal frame, shifting the zero point. The thermally insulated grip blocks heat transfer to preserve micron-level stability.
Can a handheld analog thickness gauge be mounted in a stationary bench stand?
Yes. Compact handheld models (including the J-50, J-100, JZ-100, F-1000-30, and F-1101-30) can be clamped into the Checkline TSTG Table Stand for Thickness Gauge, freeing both hands for rapid positioning of small parts, films, or test strips.
How do I choose between flat, convex, and spherical feelers (contact points)?
The geometry and surface area of the feeler must match the compressibility and shape of your specimen:- Large Flat Feelers (Ø 16 mm to Ø 50.5 mm): Essential for soft, compressible materials such as textiles, non-wovens, felt, fleece, soft leather, cellular rubber, and foam. A larger contact area distributes the measuring force evenly so the anvil does not penetrate or crush the surface.
- Small Flat Feelers (Ø 6 mm to Ø 10 mm): Ideal for denser, semi-rigid flat materials such as medium-hard rubber, paper, cardboard, plastic films, and metallic foils where parallel face contact is required.
- Convex / Curved Upper with Flat Lower Feelers: Recommended for stiff boards like plywood, fiberboard, chipboard, and hard leather, preventing edge-error if the sample is held at a slight angle.
- Spherical / Curved Feelers (Ø 1.5 mm to Ø 5 mm): Required for rigid, non-compressible materials such as sheet metal, glass plates, molded plastic ribs, and rubber O-rings, ensuring a true single-point measurement even on slightly curved or uneven surfaces.
What is the difference between spring-loaded (spring force) and dead-weight thickness gauges?
- Spring-Loaded Gauges: Handheld Analog Dial Thickness Gauges and Digital Dial Thickness Gauges use an internal calibrated spring to close the jaws. This allows the operator to measure materials in any orientation (horizontally, vertically, or overhead on a roll) for fast production-floor quality checks. However, because spring tension increases slightly as the spindle opens wider, spring-loaded gauges apply a nominal force range rather than a fixed dead-weight pressure.
- Dead-Weight Gauges: Laboratory Benchtop Material Thickness Gauges—such as the Checkline MTG, Checkline TMG, and Checkline D-2020—use gravity and calibrated weights over a specific presser-foot area to apply an exact, constant pressure (e.g., in kPa or psi) regardless of sample thickness. Dead-weight loading is mandatory when certifying compressible materials to ASTM D1777, ASTM D461, ASTM D1813, ISO 5084, ISO 9073-2, or DIN EN ISO 2589 standards.
How does jaw depth (throat depth) affect my measurement and gauge selection?
Jaw depth (or throat depth) is the maximum horizontal distance from the center of the measuring feelers to the back of the gauge frame. It determines how far inward from the edge of a sheet, panel, or web you can take a reading:- Compact Frames (30 mm to 100 mm / 1.2" to 4"): Models like the Hans-Schmidt J-50, Hans-Schmidt JD-50, and Hans-Schmidt JD-100 are lightweight, highly rigid, and ideal for small parts, strips, or edge inspections.
- Deep-Throat Frames (200 mm to 500 mm / 7.87" to 19.7"): Models such as the Checkline DM-820, Hans-Schmidt J-300, Checkline MDM-835, Checkline K-400, Checkline MTT-10, and Checkline DMD-850 are engineered with reinforced ribs to prevent frame deflection when measuring deep toward the center of wide panels, glass, plywood, or textile webs. Always select the shortest jaw depth that comfortably reaches your required inspection point to maximize ergonomics and mechanical stiffness.
Can I swap or interchange feelers on a handheld dial thickness gauge?
No. On handheld Checkline and Hans-Schmidt gauges (including the J, JZ, JD, K, DM, DMD, MDM, and RMU Series), the upper and lower feelers are precision-lapped and factory-aligned to guarantee strict parallelism across the contact faces. Because they are not field-interchangeable, you must select the appropriate feeler suffix (A through M, -R, or -RO) at the time of ordering. If your laboratory tests multiple materials and requires interchangeable presser feet and weights on a single unit, choose the Checkline TMG Universal Benchtop Material Thickness Gauge or the Checkline MTG paired with the Checkline MTG-RINGS Stackable Ring Weight Set.
What is the difference between a self-closing (lever-actuated) and a self-opening (plunger-actuated) thickness gauge?
- Self-Closing (Lever-Actuated): Most handheld thickness gauges are self-closing—the feelers remain closed under spring tension at rest. The operator presses the thumb lifting lever to open the jaws, inserts the specimen, and releases the lever so the feeler lowers onto the sample under repeatable spring force, completely independent of operator thumb pressure.
- Self-Opening (Plunger-Actuated): Models like the Checkline RMU Digital Thickness Gauge remain open at rest and close when the operator depresses the top plunger. This configuration is useful for rapid insertion of bulky, tacky, or delicate parts where holding a thumb lever open across wide ranges (up to 75 mm) is less convenient.
How do I measure moving webs, wires, or hollow tube walls accurately?
- Moving Wires, Ribbons & Webs: Standard flat feelers will drag, mar, or tear moving materials. Use roller-equipped models such as the Checkline FD-50R, Hans-Schmidt JD-50R, JD-100R, Checkline J50R, or Checkline JZ-50R for continuous lines running up to 150 m/min (500 ft/min). Choose suffix
-R(rollers with side flanges) to guide wires and narrow filaments, or-RO(unflanged rollers) for wider strips and sheets. - Tube Walls & Curved Sleeves: Standard flat anvils bridge across the inner curvature of a pipe or catch on cutting burrs at the tube end. The Checkline JD-50-W Digital Thickness Gauge for Measuring Tube Walls solves this with a 1 mm diameter collared lower feeler that clears parting burrs and contacts the true inner radius of tubes with a minimum inside diameter of 5 mm (or 3.5 mm up to 20 mm depth).
Mitutoyo GB Gauge Blocks
$72.00 - $94.00
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- Extend the measuring range of a benchtop thickness gauge with a precision gauge block
- Includes NIST Traceable Certificate of Inspection
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