Non-Metallic Feeler Gauge

Clymer's

Depending on how thick you need you can go to a hobby shop and buy sheet and strips of plastic used to make models. Just buy the correct thickness.

It's not a non-metallic feeler gauge you need, it's a non-MAGNETIC feeler gauge (i.e., brass). A set of brass feeler gauges is put out as a common service tool for exactly the task you're trying to accomplish, see e.g.:

Buy a micrometer, or better, an electronic set of calipers. Use them to measure the thickness of various thickness of plastic and use the plastic. You would be amazed at all the things you will use the calipers for. They cost about $95 for the electronic ones but the cheaper dial type are far less. I would feel crippled without mine.

You can also buy plastic shim stock from places lile McMaster-Carr in specific thickness.

Harbor Freight has a set of 6" digital calipers for about $16 that are quite good. Actually far better than you would expect for made in China. They work well and the fit and finish is quite good as well, even the "made in China" is laser etched in the stainless instead of a sticker. I picked up two of them a few months back and I'll probably pickup one of the $35 12" version the next time I'm at the HF store.

Pete C.

Me, too. Mine work very well. These are a real steal at $16. When I saw them I immediately picked up a set, and so did my buddy.

-Raf

I picked up the 12" version yesterday and they are just as nice as the

Pete C.

That one, the thermometer, really tempted me as well. We were trying to calibrate a car temperature guage yesterday, and I kept thinking how handy that would have been.

-Raf

I bought one of the Actron ones on eBay for about $40 with shipping, I've already used it - a friend bought an old car with a questionable radiator, and since it was a Studebaker Hawk we didn't know whether to trust the temp gauge or not (they're bad as often as not, and tend to read high, so unfortunately the habit is to ignore them until you see steam) Turns out this car *was* running hot, about 200-210 degrees, so we flushed the block, installed a different rad, and all was good.

nate

My employees picked up a set of 6 micrometers (1"-6") on ebay for $100 total. Yes, they are Chinese but still useful.

My employees picked up a set of 6 micrometers (1"-6") on ebay for $100 total. Yes, they are Chinese but still useful.

My IR thermometer from Radio Shack (about $39) is also very useful. It is great for seeing how well AC ducts work, the temp of various rooms, measuring the temp of water just by pointing it etc.