Gauging the thickness of paint and other coatings has gotten much simpler thanks to advances in the technology. A coating thickness gage used to be a complicated device needing frequent recalibration. The controls on some models were so awkward that they required two hands to operate. Resetting the thickness gauge between readings was often a tedious job requiring the use of several controls. Probes frequently wore out and sometimes weren’t covered by the warranty on the body.
Now science has made things easier. Customers who purchase a steel or paint thickness gauge today will find that it rarely needs recalibration. When the unit is turned on, it’s ready to use instantly. When settings need to be returned to factory normal, this can be done with a single switch.
A coating thickness gage is much smaller than it used to be. This means it’s easier to hold and carry. It also means the controls will be small and close enough together for one-handed operation. The big, awkward units of yesterday are gone.
Manufacturers have heard the feedback from customers and realized that the tip of the probe wears out much faster than the rest of the unit. They have made this part more durable than on older models, and warranties usually cover it along with the body of the gauge.
On an older paint or metal thickness gauge, the reading could be skewed by heat buildup in the gauge. This could cause the readings to become less and less accurate during the running time. Newer models take care of this problem with an internal temperature compensation system.
With all these improvements, the gauges of today far outstrip their ancestors in accuracy and convenience.
If a coating thickness gage is what you need, go to BKInstruments.com for more information.