What gage pin sizes for 1911 work?

[birdus]

What gage pins should I get for gun smith work on the 1911?

[custom2]

A set that goes from .060 to .250. You won't have much cause to go below .060 but buying that set too couldn't hurt either. I got my set from Amazon.com for around 50 dollars.

[Alland]

Enco also has good deals on tools.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM

[birdus]

Excellent. Thanks for the advice.

Jay

[birdus]

Do I want the plus tolerance set or the minus tolerance set?

[egumpher]

I choose the plus set because if I measured a hole to be .062+.0002 then I knew a .062 pistol pin would fit the hole.......If i measured the same hole to be .062-.0002 then the hole may be under .062 and the pin might not fit...others may choose differently..

Rgsd
Eric

[birdus]

Thanks, Eric.

[Alland]

I'll be the different one. I have the minus sets.

[egumpher]

Originally Posted by Alland

I'll be the different one. I have the minus sets.

If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose the minus set?

Some think of pin gauges as GO-NOGO gauges with the minus pin acting like a GO gauge and the plus pin a NO-GO gauge. None of the holes on a 1911 frame are held to ±.0002 so this GO-NOGO logic is moot.....plus all the pin sizes shown on the 1911 government print are held to a diameter minus tolerance (the old way to dimension pins) with a nominal size like the sear pin at .110 -.002.

Rgsd
Eric

[57jeeper]

When I was just starting out my old Quality Manager always said to buy "plus " pins, because as they wore they would be closer to the pin size than the "minus " pins. I also like knowing if the pin goes the hole is at least that size.
You have to remember, the pins being referred to are "Z Class " tolerance. That means the tolerance is. 0002". The pin can be anywhere in that range.
If you should need a closer tolerance pin, there are more classes to be found. An economical choice is a Deltronic pin. They are "X plus " grade (.00004"). They go for around $15.00 each and come in. 0001" increments from around. 004" to 1.011".
For gage tolerances search "toolmakers tolerances " here's one.
http://qcssindy.com/index.php?option...nent&Itemid=25

[Alland]

Originally Posted by egumpher

If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose the minus set?

Some think of pin gauges as GO-NOGO gauges with the minus pin acting like a GO gauge and the plus pin a NO-GO gauge. None of the holes on a 1911 frame are held to ±.0002 so this GO-NOGO logic is moot.....plus all the pin sizes shown on the 1911 government print are held to a diameter minus tolerance (the old way to dimension pins) with a nominal size like the sear pin at .110 -.002.

Rgsd
Eric

My choice of the minus pins had nothing to do with a 1911. At the time I bought them I needed to check reamed orifice holes. The minus pins better allowed me to monitor reamer wear.

In the 1911 world plus or minus two tenths is meaningless. Other than centering a barrel on the bore for crowning.

[egumpher]

Then I stand behind my original reason for buying +pins...because if I measure a hole to be .062+.0002 then I know that a .062 pistol pin will fit the hole....

Rgds
Eric