Paint thickness gauge

Saw this on another site and thought it might be interesting to some:whistle:
The least accurate method of checking paint thickness ,I wonder if they sell any!!


Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

Look interesting, I just purchased one of the Pro Gauge II. I might look into this as well depending on how accurate it is.

 

Man, the price certainly is RIGHT!

 

Come on PTG gurus... Is this thing a POS or not???

 

I 'd like to know too.
If it's only somewhat accurate then it's a POS.

 

I'd like to see its resolution. If it is accurate that is a greeeaaat deal.

 

Their accuracy is confusing... WTF is "4 digits"??

±4 digits on 0 to 7.8 mils
±7 digits on 0 to 199 μm
±(3% + 4 digits) on 7.9 - 40 mils (200 - 1000 μm)

 

You can look at the manual which gives it's accuracy:

+/- 4 digits on 0 to 7.8 mills
+/- 7 digits on 0 to 199 micrometers
+/- 3% + 4 digits on 7.9 to 40 mils (200 - 1000 um).

I suppose its good for thick stuff, but below 7.8 mils?

Do I read it right to say for example, if your paint is 5.0 mils, it could read 4.6 to 5.4?

It has to be calibrated everytime it's turned on. Finally, it doesn't say if it does non-ferrous metals...

I'm leary, gotta tell ya. Harbor Freight makes some nice cheap stuff... but it's still cheap.

 

I was at the body shop today and I had my buddy's F250 looked over. It read between 4.2 and 4.7 all over the truck.

 

is that a good thickness

 

I read the manual

http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/95000-95999/95520.pdf

I'm questioning it's accuracy?

But P1et you used the tool and were getting readings from 4.2 to 4.7...hmm...I've been told that normal readings for American vehicle is about 7 to 9mills and after taking some mesurements my self with the Pro Gauge, I was getting about 6 to 7mills on a Ford Taurus don't know but I still question it's accuracy..but that's just my :2cents:

 

This was actually with the tool at the bodyshop, not mine. This is probably one of Austin most high-end bodyshops, normally only German and Italian vehicles. But my buddy loves his black F250 and wanted to pay the price for his little mishap: he was at the petrol station and was backing up. His back is bad, so he opened the door and put his foot on the running board whilst backing up. Well, he fell about and the truck just kept on driving backwards. It hit one of those big poles and it bent the door all the way until it was flush with the front fender. NICE ONE!!!

 

Ill buy one and compare it with my DFT!

 

Oooh that dosen't sound like a good story, well not a story but event. Hope he feels better and gets well soon.

As for the gauging of the truck I havent gauged a F250, I've done a few Ford Trucks but I didn't have my paint gauges then...but I would have expected the Ford trucks to have thiker paint/clearcoat well again just from what I've been told that's all.

 

You rock... subscribed!

 

Sweet :chest: man and you guys say I got money lol..just teasing FMINUS let us know how well it performs, I'm really curious on it's accuracy. I know the DFT has wicked accuracy can't wait till you get it :thumb:

Talk about taking one for the team :applause:

 

link to the tool at harbor freight?

 

If it sucks I can always return it! :whistle:

 

lol...that's what I was thinking lol..:thumb: I agree with you on that one buddy :nod:

 

Can't wait for the results:thumb: