WEN 1/8 in. Precision-Ground Parallel Gauge Sets with Case (20-Piece)

First, I have to admit I’m not a machinist. And, quite honestly, I would have to learn how to use these for their intended purpose if I became one.I got this because I’m a woodworker, primarily building furniture [versus being a carpenter who uses dimensional lumber and does framing to 1/16″ tolerances].If you know my type, you know we like jigs and gauges which, like clamps, we can’t have enough of.Most of my builds are to within 0.003″ on all of my blanks.So I though it would be cool to acquire this set to be used as gauges for milling stock [more than an adequate supply of sizes for that … and when not sufficient I’ll revert to my digital calipers] and assembly offsets [okay, not so many there … maybe the 1/8″, 1/8×2, 1/8×3, and 1/2″ bars].It took me about a quart of gasoline to clean up the “as received”; then a wipe down with a light coat of WD40. I’ll clean off well before using and repeat the WD40 after using; the goal is to keep these from pitting [as far as I know these are not made from a rust-resistant alloy], which would make them less useful.

I picked this up because I wanted something I could use as set up bars/gages, so I could accurately set depth of cut, fence to cutter distanced, and material thickness on by saws and router. I have found these to be an excellent way to accomplish these task, especially setting shallower router depths of cut on my table. Being able to place them on the table and have both hands free to make adjustments is so much better than how I have done them in the past. The sizes in this set are such that I can set almost any common depth I want. There are no instructions provided with the set; customer service at WEN told me they hope to have something on their web site in the near future but that there are so many different uses (like setting thickness of materials or gaps, or setting up a mill, or evenly propping a workpiece in a vise and ensuring the sides stay parallel) that it would be hard to list them all. They are of high quality and construction and will provide use to me for years to come.The set comes in a blow molded plastic case (which I can see breaking pretty easily, especially if I drop it) and each size comes in a pair (with holes for attaching them to the faces of a vise if you want). Each pair is wrapped in “˜oil paper’ to keep them from corroding during shipping. Cleaning the grease/oil off is not a big deal using a little WD-40 (after cleaning and using, I actually rewrapped them in the oil paper for storage to protect them; this may be overkill on may part). They are very accurately ground; measuring them with my digital caliper have them almost exactly what they say they are. I don’t need them with that accurate but it’s nice to have a set that is. The sets are really machined well and have ; if I put them together and hold them up to the light I see no significant gaps and what slight bit I might see disappears when I squeeze them.Let me say that I am NOT a machinist, so take what I say here as the opinion of your normal DIYer. They work great for what I need them for.

WEN 20-Piece Precision-Ground 1/8-Inch Parallel Sets with Case – a Home Depot Seeds Program ReviewI do some woodworking and that always involve some precision measurements and I have lots of tools to do that. This WEN 20-Piece Precision-Ground 1/8-Inch Parallel Sets with Case is now another tool in my measuring collection. Tapes, rules, calipers and other gauges work well for some uses but I find that measurements need a properly dimensioned block like this parallel block set. The distance from the fence to the blade on a tablesaw or bandsaw for example or the height infeed of the thickness planer need a good precision block to measure. This parallel set is very accurate with claimed dimensions to within two ten-thousandths of an inch. I think you can breathe on wood and have it vary in dimension greater than that. I do very little work with metal which could certainly use this precision. My calipers could not verify that level of precision but the pieces measured dead on in every dimension. The set consists of 20 pieces – two each in widths from ½ inch to 1 5/8 inch in 1/8 inch increments. The widths are laser etched on the face and are easily readable. The thicknesses are all 1/8 inch and they’re all 6 inches long. If I need to measure less that 1/8 inch, I have a smaller set of brass blocks that will do that.The blocks are all hardened steel and will not bend or lose shape or accuracy due to heat, cold or abuse as aluminum, brass and plastic can potentially do and this WEN set should maintain its integrity for many years. Keep in mind that the hardened steel is not blade friendly. Brass, plastic and aluminum could be cut with a bandsaw or tablesaw but the blades of those tools would be destroyed by these blocks. The set comes in a hard plastic case that keeps all of the pieces together, organized and protected from the elements. This WEN 20-Piece Precision-Ground 1/8-Inch Parallel Sets with Case is now another precision measuring tool on my arsenal. I trust their accuracy and expect the hardened steel to maintain that accuracy for many years. If you work with metal or wood and need precision measurements, this set should be in your shop.Here’s the manufacturer’s website information on this product if interested:https://wenproducts.com/products/20-piece-precision-ground-1-8-inch-parallel-sets-with-case?_pos=1&_sid=d1cef6220&_ss=r

The WEN 10380 20 pc. precision ground 1/8″ wide parallel set with case is a great addition to any workshop and certainly can be used by professional machinist. Great price point, excellent workmanship and good size range. The whole object with parallel’s is that they be in pairs and match in size in the height direction and the WEN are good to with in 0.0002″ or two ten thousand of an inch on the working surface. Each pair comes coated with rust inhibitor, wrapped in oil paper, the finish is 32 RMS (see photo) or better and each parallel has two ½” mounting holes. I did a file test and the hardness is 60 HRC or better perfect for its intended usage. The sizes for the 10 pairs start at ½” and go up in size in 1/8″ increments ending at 1-5/8″. The plastic case is a wonderful storage device for these parallels and fits just right in my tool chest. Unlike the wider ¼” set I received, I found that the 1/8″ thick set to be pretty much on the number on the non-working width and consistent across the parallel. This is a great product, at a good price point with excellent quality. Recommended.

SUMMARY: A good addition to my machinists tools.BACKGROUND: I do some work where I run the risk of drilling into my milling vise. The WEN Parallel set looked like a good answer.FIT AND FINISH: The set looks great for my application. Simple and straightforward.FEATURES: From the Home Depot page, with my comments as appropriate. “¢ Features 10 pairs of hardened parallel gauges in 1/8 in. graduations “¢ Each parallel measures in at 6 in. L and 1/8 in. thick with holes for easy mounting â—¦ This is more than adequate for my needs. “¢ Widths include 1/2 in., 5/8 in., 3/4 in., 7/8 in., 1 in., 1-1/8 in., 1-1/4 in., 1-3/8 in., 1-1/2 in. and 1-5/8 in. parallels â—¦ A good range for me. “¢ Perfect for machinists, woodworkers, equipment calibration, workpiece alignment and more “¢ Hard-shelled carrying case keeps the parallels organized and protected from contaminants â—¦ Could have been a much smaller case. I will probably make my own, smaller box. “¢ Backed by a 2-year warrantyOPERATION: I ran a test drilling operation, using square tubing. The parallels held the piece up and away from the vice to give clearance when drilling a through hole.SUMMARY: Just what I wanted when drilling in the vice.PROS: Simple to use, effective.CONS: Box is a little big and bulky.