⚙️ Fowler 52 490 100 Hardened Tension Diameter Gauge Review

I bought this to have the tap on the same axis as the drill I was using. The spring-loaded muzzle is offset by about 10 thousandths, resulting in VERY poor thread alignment.

Works as advertised. The pen is double-ended, flat on one end and pointed on the other. I use it to start hand taps on a power drill with a pointed end in the center hole of the tap handle. For those wondering, mine says on the packaging that it was made in India.

I really wanted to like this device but as soon as I received it the spring started to feel. Some other reviews wrote that the spring was stiff. I said how bad could it be? Well, that's totally unacceptable in my case when I want to thread small aluminum alloy and plastic parts. To confirm, do a preload force test to see what it takes to move the bar just 1/16 of an inch. Was almost 2 times harder than Starrett friends. See photos. I'll be back. Spend a few bucks more on the real deal OR…