PeteM
Diamond
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2002
- Location
- West Coast, USA
In the how-come-I-never-learned-this dept, what are precision gage balls best used for? These typically come in fractional sized sets of 3; they're basically precision ball bearings.
I assume that 3 together can be used somewhat like precision parallels, but not sure of the advantages. I've also seen balls used to measure ID holes, but would be hard-pressed to see and advantage over adjustable ball-end hole gages or (in the usual case when both diameter and straightness are to be held) gage pins.
So what unique application are precision gage balls best for? Is it just a matter of being able to hold size very close for not a lot of $$$ ?
I assume that 3 together can be used somewhat like precision parallels, but not sure of the advantages. I've also seen balls used to measure ID holes, but would be hard-pressed to see and advantage over adjustable ball-end hole gages or (in the usual case when both diameter and straightness are to be held) gage pins.
So what unique application are precision gage balls best for? Is it just a matter of being able to hold size very close for not a lot of $$$ ?