In my last column I beat up on the calibration of adjustable thread ring gages. Since I’m a nice guy, I thought it only fair that non-adjustable or solid thread ring gage calibration get similar treatment.

The previous two columns dealt with a study of thread plug gage calibration, the results of which will be discussed and/or argued over for some time.

My last column gave the background to an extensive study of results on the calibration of some thread plug gages.

This question is prompted by another round-robin type study involving the calibration of thread plug gages, the results of which were predictable because similar studies over the past twenty years or so have produced similar results.

Some years ago I wrote about the ‘digital disease’ and how too many people actually believed digital displays with millionths of an inch resolution when the device they were part of could not deliver results worthy of the last few digits.

Like any other commercial enterprise, calibration laboratories cannot be all things to all people.

The older generation always seems to rail about a decline in the quality of education today compared to when they were in school.

It is often said that metrology is a method of communication and when you think about it, that’s a pretty accurate way to explain its purpose.

Some folks select the calibration source based on convenience. They reason that the best choice for them is the lab down the street or around the corner because they don’t have to ship their stuff any distance to get it done.

The ‘scope’ of an accredited laboratory is a list of the different items the accrediting agency has determined they are capable of calibrating.