Tooke Gauge - Micro-Metrics OG214 Plastic Took Paint Inspection Gauge

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This less expensive gauge is identical to the OG212, but made of molded polycarbonate plastic.

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Precision tool for inspection and thickness measurement of single or multiple coats on any substrate.

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The OG214 Tooke Gauge is a precision tool for inspection and dry-film thickness measurement (in accordance with ASTM D4138) of single or multiple coats on any substrate, and for microscopic observation and measurement of substrate and film defects.

The OG214 Plastic Tooke Paint Inspection Gauge is used to assess sandblast cleaning work, to measure plating and paint thickness on ceramics, metal, wood, and concrete, and even to measure protective backing thickness on mirrors. This tooke gauge is virtually the only tool for measuring paint on plastics.

Other uses of the OG214 Tooke Gauge include assessment of substrate conditions and coating adhesion, and observation of microscopic cracking, tendency for brittleness, cratering, or other microscopic film symptoms.

Kit Contents

Features

• Dual-Measure scope, with 1 mil per hashmark space above the line and 20 microns per hashmark space below the line scale.
• Measures thickness of coatings applied to wood, plastic, cement, glass, ceramics, mirror backings, metal, etc.
• Assists in measuring brittleness and adhesion of coatings and materials.
• Both the OG212 and OG214 are supplied with 1✕, 2✕, and 10✕ cutting tips installed in the gauge body. An optional 5✕ cutting tip is available.
• Gauges come in a rugged plastic carrying case with cutting tip wrench, indelible marker, spare LED bulb, and spare batteries

The Tooke Gage uses an illuminated 50-power microscope equipped with the new Dual-Measure microscope with a measuring reticle marked in both mils and microns. The gage mounts three tungsten carbide cutting tips for precise incision of the work surface. Standard cutting tips are 1X, 2X, and 10X. (An optional 5X tip is available.) Also, a gauge can be ordered with any three tips desired, or with a single precision-ground tip and two blanks.

Direct measurement of total dry-film coating thickness and thickness of individual coats of paint is a unique capability of the Tooke Paint Inspection Gage. Thus, in addition to routine use, it often serves as a “referee” instrument to calibrate indirect or non-destructive thickness measuring instruments.

Applications

The Tooke Gage has been used to assess sandblast cleaning work, to measure plating and paint thickness on ceramics, metal, wood, and concrete, and even to measure protective backing thickness on mirrors. It is virtually the only tool for measuring paint on plastics. The quality of the incision in the film discloses much about the characteristics of the brittleness and adhesion of the material.

Other uses include assessment of substrate conditions and coating adhesion, and observation of microscopic cracking, tendency for brittleness, cratering, or other microscopic film symptoms.

Construction

The molded polycarbonate plastic gauge body contains an illuminated microscope and mounts three tungsten-carbide cutting tips (that incise the “V-groove” for measuring) on the narrow side. Two guide studs project from the body on the same side as the cutting tips. The tripod thus formed by the three legs (guide studs and cutting tip) provides precise alignment of the tool with the surface to be grooved. A lanyard with keeper looped through the body secures the instrument to the inspector’s wrist. The entire unit is designed for convenience and completeness in field inspection tasks. Two cutting tip holders are available The anodized Dual-Measure microscope reticle is marked in mils and microns.

Operation

Dual-Measure Microscope

Measurement with a Tooke Gage is a function of the cutting tip face-angle and NOT of the microscope.

One of the best things about the new Dual-Measure scopes is the return to an easy calculation system related to the cutting tip face-angle. As described in the measuring demo, and shown in the drawings in the Geometry section, below, count the hashmarks spaces for each layer of coating, and then calculate the coating depth using the the Dual-Measure scope conversion shown below.

 

View through the new Dual-Measure reticle: the metric scale is marked in 20µm per hashmark. The discontinued universal microscope reticle is marked in 50µm per hash. For universal scope conversions, see the Reticles section below

The Geometry of the Tooke Gage Incision

The easiest example of the process is demonstrated using the 1✕ cutting tip. In essence, you are cutting a triangle into your coating by incising the hypotenuse of a right-angle triangle. With the 45º precision-ground face of the 1✕ tip, you’re cutting an equi-lateral triangle: 1✕ tip has a 1 : 1 ratio. (See the 1✕ tip drawing below.) That is, by counting the hashmarks that define the horizontal triangle-side at the “bottom” of the triangle (and your view through the microscope), you are measuring across the ‘cut-width.’ The 1:1 ratio means your cut-width equals that is your coating depth. With the 10✕ tip, you’re drawing a right-angle triangle, and one-tenth (1/10) the number of hashmarks across the cut-width is your coating depth. (See 10✕ figure below.)

Cutting tip diagram and ratio of cut-width : coating-depth

Interim Measuring Ddemonstration

This demonstration, using pictures through the no-longer available “universal” scope shows the process. A demonstration using the Dual-Measure reticle will be posted soon.

Note that in the photo below, the zero-line of the reticle is not lined up for the actual measurement (nor does it need to be; any hashmark will do). The gray/silver-colored “line” is the metal substrate; the white “line” is the (inside of the) green coating, which is what is measured visually through the scope. (See below for a different annotated version.) The cutting tip incises the (specifically-angled, depending on the chosen tip face) incision, allowing for calculation of the coating thickness. In this photo, the black marker has not been used to make the edge (top) of the green coating more easily seen.

The view through the “universal” microscope

In the next photo, the “zero-line” of the reticle is not lined up with the edge of the primer coating (the white line to the left of the zero-line); it is approximately centered in the substrate (gray/silver line). (This was not intentional; lining up the camera moved the gauge slightly.* Nor does it need to be lined up; any hashmark will do.) “Line A” is on the edge between the substrate and the beginning of the primer-coating: begin your measurement there. “Line B” marks the top of the primer coating/beginning of the top coating (light blue). “Line C” is the incision into the top coating, made easier to see by using the black marker provided with the Tooke Gage. (* The next major Micro-Metrics project after the Dual-Measure scopes is a camera adapter! Stay tuned!)

Annotated close-up through “universal” scope Thus, in this photo and using the discontinued “universal” scope with 50µm per hashmark space, the thickness measured for each tip equals:

If you have an older gauge, with an U.S. standard-only or metric-only reticle, please see this page for the measurements that would apply to this incision. These old-style scopes have a green-anodized barrel. The old-style scope is no longer available.

Replacement Tungsten-carbide Cutting Tips.

Available in 1✕ (45º), 2✕ (26º 6') and 10✕ (5º 7') configurations. An optional 5✕ tip (11º 18') and blank unfaced tips are also available. (The blank tips provides lateral stability for the operable tip, if only one faced tip is used.)

Related Products

Micro-Metrics CTH01 Cutting Tip Holder The Cutting Tip Holder, at a little under two inches long, allows easy use of a cutting tip without having to manipulate the Tooke® Paint Inspection Gage to make the incision and then manipulate the gauge again to view the incision through the microscope.

Micro-Metrics CTH02 Cutting Tip Holder The CTH02 (two-tip) Cutting Tip Holder allows easy use of carbide cutting tips without having to manipulate the Tooke® Paint Inspection Gage to make the incision and then manipulate the gauge again to view the incision through the microscope.

Downloads

Micro-Metrics OG204 / OG214 Tooke Paint Inspection Gauge II - Data Sheet

Micro-Metrics OG204 / OG214 Tooke Paint Inspection Gauge II - Dual-Measure Scope Swap Program

Micro-Metrics OG204 / OG214 Plastic Tooke Paint Inspection Gauge IV - Old Style