What are radius gauges made of?
What are radius gauges made of? |
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Stainless steel with a satin chrome finish |
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Radius gauges can be made from stainless steel with a satin chrome finish for extra rust resistance. This type of gauge is ideal for checking moulds or dies because of the clear markings. Chromium is added to steel to increase corrosion and oxidisation resistance.Combined with stainless steel it improves wear and abrasion resistance. | |||
Tool steel |
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Tool steel is also commonly used to make radius gauges, because of its resistance to abrasion and deformation. It is however less resistant to rust than stainless steel. | |||
Acrylic |
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Radius gauges can be made out of laser cut acrylic. Acrylic gauges are commonly used for woodworking applications because they do not leave behind dark markings. They are less abrasive than their mental counterparts. | |||
Plastic |
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Radius gauges can be made from high impact plastic. High impact plastic will not scratch easily and does not rust. Plastic gauges are relatively cheap and commonly favoured for guitar radius gauge production. | |||
Which is best? |
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For checking a metal or plastic radius, stainless steel blades with a satin chrome finish are advised because of the extra smooth finish to the radius.
For checking a wooden radius, an acrylic gauge is advised because the radius is soft enough so that it does not leave marks, whilst remaining accurate. For checking a guitar fretboard, a plastic guitar radius gauge is advised. Other materials can be used, however, as long as the gauge is rigid and has a smooth radius then it will function the same as more expensive gauges. |
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