32 replies to this topic

[Duffy]

So I took my Champion gauge to work, a maching company. They had am Optical Comparison Gauge.

Oh ack. First off, you're a zero to the right of industry standards there: optical comparator manufacturers won't claim more than half a micron (.00002") even with computer-compensated resolution & automatic edge detection; & besides that, what spot on your Champion gage with its barely 63-microfinish sawtooth of an edge at what temperature differential from your workroom are you measuring to even five decimals? This is pure posturing (of the type I freely admit I do every day in MY job!).

We'd be better off tactically standing toward the back of the tech line in winter races, so Noose's warm little hands have a chance to grow that gage by thermal expansion before we get up there! Nehh, bottom line: everyone's tech'd with the same tools, and the inspector's tools're law. Even when they're worn and sloppy.

I'll contact Noose & tell him to submit his tools to me after the Fall Brawl, for calibration with my 1946-vintage Johansson Blocks (hey, they were good enough for Ford to put in that pretty wood case, they're by damm good enough for Retro!). Not that we'll change anything, mind, but then he'll know. & then he can choose whether or not to break it to you lot.

Duffy

[Gator Bob]

Well if everyone is teched by the same tool ... what's the difference?

[Noose]

Bingo.

[old & gray]

We'd be better off tactically standing toward the back of the tech line in winter races, so Noose's warm little hands have a chance to grow that gage by thermal expansion before we get up there!

Duffy

Well if everyone is teched by the same tool ... what's the difference?

If we assume tech is occurring in a rather brisk 65 degree area, and that the heated discussions and animated gestures have raise the tech tool to 100 degrees; then the thermal expansion of the 3 1/8 gage would be .00134 inches. Since this is a gross technical advantage I would suggest a minimum thermal soak between inspections to insure equality between entrants.

[Noose]

LOL. Good one Bob.

[Gator Bob]

If we assume tech is occurring in a rather brisk 65 degree area, and that the heated discussions and animated gestures have raise the tech tool to 100 degrees; then the thermal expansion of the 3 1/8 gage would be .00134 inches. Since this is a gross technical advantage I would suggest a minimum thermal soak between inspections to insure equality between entrants.

Well .... if that's what's going on..... have some tool... make in Lexan.

Note: body pin heads may vary.

[TRM124]

Duffy,
You're confusing me with facts :-)
I'm going from memory of ~20 years ago. The thermal printout has long ago faded out.
I thought he said it read to 1 millionth of a inch, but I could be wrong :-)
But my car was still to the rules, not necessariy to "His" cheaply stamped gauge :-)
But, I complied.

Ted

[Duffy]

Aww, Ted. I've been on both sides of this numbers thing, not only in the engineering world but here!
You probably were told a millionth, by a guy who figured you'd never think twice & just be wowed. Usually they say 50 millionths, which is actually at least mechanical-interference territory - check against a micrometer, there, see? we agree - but really, when we're talking down on that level we're really working under controlled conditions and a whole regimen that street suits never consider.
But, here, it's all for fun.
See, you're actually right in your first post - sure, the two gages may conflict, & the Tech Guy wins - but it really is fun to blow those tolerances around like they actually have substance. I've done that often, for real: bulldozing engineers in conference rooms with my mere no-degree and 40+yrs. manufacturing...and the bottom line, always, is: what works, works. In "Significant Numbers" engineering relationships, or in how the rubber on the rear of your slot car engages the track - what works, works.

duf