| The Tooke Paint Inspection Gage is a precision tool for inspection and 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 gage uses an illuminated 50-power microscope with measuring reticle, and mounts tungsten carbide cutting tips for precise incision of the work surface.
Direct measurement of total 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. Other uses include assessment of substrate conditions and coating adhesion, and observation of microscopic cracking, tendency for brittleness, cratering, or other microscopic film symptoms. |
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| Principle: A special cutting tool that is integral to the gage is used to incise a small precision V-groove through the paint film and into the substrate. This V-groove is observed vertically with an illuminated microscope bearing a measuring reticle (scale). |
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| Cutting tip |
Maximum Coating Thickness |
Precision of thickness determinations |
One division on the reticle scale represents |
| 1× 2× 10× |
50 mils 20 mils 3 mils |
± 0.25 mils 0.13 mils 0.025 mils |
1.0 mil 0.5 mil 0.1 mil |
Special 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.
![]() The machined aluminum Tooke Gage comes in a case with strap, spare batteries and bulb, marking pen, hex wrench and a technical data sheet. Standard cutting tips are 1×, 2×, and 10×. An optional 5× tip is available. Also, the gage can be ordered with three tips of the same size. |
Micro-Metrics Company P.O. Box 13804 ATLANTA, GA 30324-0804 |
Micro-Metrics Company 4450 Ansley Lane CUMMING, GA 30040-5252 |
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