Tool Hacks: Inexpensive Micrometer
Ever have a manual or part instruction call out a setting in thousands of an inch or hundredths of a millimeter leaving you confused or unsure? Well one quick, simple and inexpensive way to check that measurement might just be a $1.99 away. Picking up a simple round spark plug gap tool at the auto parts store can help you obtain rough measurements that can take a lot of guesswork out of how thick something is.
Though in no way precision, it can give you a rough idea on the thickness of something like a clutch plate or ring gap, or even what it was intended for, gapping the spark plug. You just use the tool to compare more than actually measure. Having a magnifying glass can help even further. With a decent phone/camera you can even take a photo like this (yes, taken with an iPhone6) and zoom in.
On a flat surface you can set the part next to the tool and compare the thickness to get a rough idea on the size. This can be helpful when you can’t tell by just looking.
The spark plug gap tool is quick and very durable compared to most other tools for this purpose as well so it is ideal for a track tool box too. It takes up no room as well. On this particular tool there is inches on one side and millimeters on the back side. So then next time your tool box needs a $1.99 worth of reinforcement or you get stumped on how thick something is, this may help.
