Dial Gages of all types in company flood - How to recover them

[Unregistered]

We had severe rain leaks in the lab over the weekend. Dial gages, indicators, ring and pin gages...all under water in their job specific totes.

Don't want to blow on backs of dial gages to dry them because it pushes the water up to dial face area. Hundreds of production gages involved.
What do we do??? dip or spray with WD40? And then what?

 

[bobdoering]

You might want to send this question to George Schuetz, the Director of Precision Gages, for Mahr Federal, Inc., of Providence, RI. He often answers questions like this as his role of "Ask an Expert" for Modern Machine Shop magazine. I would be anxious to hear his response. I have some ideas, but they would require some knowledge of tearing down an indicator, ultrasonic cleaner, a low-temp recirculating oven and a dessicator.

 

[Marc]

I agree with Bob, but I would do the following immediately:

1. Since you have an outside calibration source, I would call them immediately, explain the situation and ask their advice. This is assuming your outside calibration source does gage repair work.

2. I would call the manufacturer of one or more of the gages and do the same.

My advice is to do this *immediately*. It doesn't take long for oxidation to go to work (so to speak) on many metals, and the advice of one or more *experts* is needed fast.

 

[Wes Bucey]

I agree with Bob and Marc about immediate outside professional help. Oxidation can destroy many instruments in less than hours. Drying out can speed oxidation in many cases. I'm aware of one museum project which recovered artifacts from beneath the sea and keeps them stored under water to avoid oxidation and other deterioration while they prepare to get them ready for display and permanent storage.

As a guy who was once fiscally liable for EVERYTHING and therefore vitally interested in Risk Assessment and Management, I'd start examining my insurance policies - whether you replace or repair, it's going to be an expensive proposition.

 

[Unregistered]

Bob and Marc,
Thank you for the advice. I have contacted Mitutoyo because we have a few more Mitu than Mahr Federal. They suggested air drying and a low temp furnace if possible. They didn't feel that it shouldn't harm too much as long as dirt didn't ingress.

I have contacted George Schuetz and am waiting for a reply. We will see what happens.

Marc,
Please remove this as it is just for You and Bob.

 

[Marc]

I'll "change the name" to "protect the innocent". The thread has value.

 

[Unregistered]

I heard back from George Schuetz at Mahr Federal, Inc. His opinion was that if we emptied the water out of the gages and air dried them, then oil them lightly, we should be ok. I told him that some indicators are bore gages with long stems and he approved of the thought of taking the stems apart and dipping them in liquid WD-40. As long as just oil was in the indicator after it dried. We dipped everything that was not mechanical in a bucket of WD-40 after towel and air drying.

George then said to work the gages in their respective ring gages to be sure of full motion. Bottom line was that as long as things were opened up and allowed to dry, there shouldn't be a problem unless dirt got in. Because Mahr and Mitutoyo gages are made of stainless steel and copper there shouldn't be a great rust issue.

Finally, thanks to Wes Bucey for his suggestion to get insurance items in order.

Bob and Marc, thank you for your quick help and direction.