Damn you Sears!

[bruin]

My wife and I went Sears the other day to pick up a new TV. While we were there I decided to look for a set of feeler guages so I can check my shims. I found a set that went down to .04mm. Close enough I said, and grabbed one off the hook. According to the back of the package, they increased in size by increments of .01mm. Perfect! When I got home I tore off the packaging and spread the guages out I dicsovered that the smallest one was .035mm. I thought "Cool, closer to .03". Then I looked at the next one and it jumps up to .125mm! WTF? How am I supposed to check my valve clearances with this?
(Those of you who have had the privilege of firing the M2 .50 cal will understand what I am thinking here) I will have to use the two blades as if they were a headspace and timing guage. If the .125 (no go) doesn't fit but the .035 (go) does fit, then I should be within the right range. Now I just need to find the barrel so I can unscrew it one click at a time until everything is within spec.

I am happy with my other purchase from them anyway. I bought a 180-something piece tool set that came with a three drawer tool box (kinda resembles a plastic top box if you will) for $150. It is a good starting point for a tool collection but I am already thinking of what the next tool purchases will be. Still, a lifetime warranty on 180 pieces for $150 isn't a bad deal at all.

[Mr Splashy Pants]

With the M2 just use a dime. Try it, it might work with your bike. If anything it would make people cringe.

The goal would be to post it in the general maintenance section with a omg my bike is acting all sorts of funny and wait for the 20 questions to get to the' "did you check the valve clearances??????" To which you can reply, yes I did I used the same method that you can use to improperly headspace Ma deuce!

[TEX2TL]

Ah the good ol 50. Best weapon in the Military of at least my favorite

[AX2007]

Ha! This is funny... the same exact thing happened to me. I just bought a set of feeler gauges at Sears too.

I figured I'd just gauge them out to whatever one I have... I mean, that is why their is a range, right? If you find something that's common that fits size wise, let me know. I plan on doing my valves on Saturday.

[chuck hahn]

I was on tanks and our M60s all had the M85s mounted in then TC coupula. Aint nothing like watching those 50s rip thru some of the hardn targets down range. We shot up old dump trucks, old 113 hulls...all kinds of stuff and that was just awesome to do and watch!!

[chuck hahn]

Get the SAE/Metric combo set from Nappa or Car Quest.

[mighty13d]

In the words of my good friend's father: "I'd hate to be on the receiving end of that!"

Those words have stuck with me and are very fitting.

That tool kit is an amazing base to start from. You have SAE and Metric in 6 and 12 point and in deep well! You also get to return stuff from being stupid with it and breaking stuff. I snapped a 19mm socket the other day. No questions asked. They just gave me a new one.

Get the SAE/Metric combo set from Nappa or Car Quest.

I got the set of feeler gauges that I used from Car Quest too! Then I couldn't find it when I went to check the valves in my Bandit and got another set... and I'm pretty sure I have a third in another tool box somewhere.

[Missile99]

Those brand new, oiled feeler gauges stick together so well that they can look like one thin blade. Rub the smallest one and next size that you found between your thumb and index finger, like you would to open a garbage bag. You may be surprised to see how many really, really thin ones (.04mm or so) can appear to be just one. I thought this same thing you did when my gauges were brand new, even though they said the increments were so close together. Worth a try before getting too discouraged.

[bruin]

Those brand new, oiled feeler gauges stick together so well that they can look like one thin blade. Rub the smallest one and next size that you found between your thumb and index finger, like you would to open a garbage bag. You may be surprised to see how many really, really thin ones (.04mm or so) can appear to be just one. I thought this same thing you did when my gauges were brand new, even though they said the increments were so close together. Worth a try before getting too discouraged.

You were right, stuck together. I swear, I tried this same thing before and they weren't there.

[surviverguy]

store your feeler gauges in a zip lock bag with some oil. That'll keep the rust away. They'll be good for years and years.

[Missile99]

That's good. Shows how precise those things were machined that it's hard to tell there's more than one. Also shows how superb the engineering was that it requires such a small clearance. Have fun. Strangely enough I enjoy checking the valves and working on wiring.