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81-Piece Inch Gage Block Set: Block Sizes and Stack Examples
Gage block stacks › 81-piece inch set
The 81-piece inch set is the most common general-purpose gage block set in US shops. It is built from a .0001 in series, a .001 in series, a .050 in series and four large blocks, which together cover every 0.0001 in step across its working range.
The block list below is the composition the free gage block calculator uses for this set. Sets from different makers can differ slightly, so check the sizes marked on the blocks in your own box.
All 81 blocks in the 81-piece inch set
| Series | Blocks | Sizes (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0001 in series | 9 | 0.1001, 0.1002, 0.1003, 0.1004, 0.1005, 0.1006, 0.1007, 0.1008, 0.1009 |
| 0.001 in series | 49 | 0.101, 0.102, 0.103, 0.104, 0.105, 0.106, 0.107, 0.108, 0.109, 0.110, 0.111, 0.112, 0.113, 0.114, 0.115, 0.116, 0.117, 0.118, 0.119, 0.120, 0.121, 0.122, 0.123, 0.124, 0.125, 0.126, 0.127, 0.128, 0.129, 0.130, 0.131, 0.132, 0.133, 0.134, 0.135, 0.136, 0.137, 0.138, 0.139, 0.140, 0.141, 0.142, 0.143, 0.144, 0.145, 0.146, 0.147, 0.148, 0.149 |
| 0.050 in series | 19 | 0.050, 0.100, 0.150, 0.200, 0.250, 0.300, 0.350, 0.400, 0.450, 0.500, 0.550, 0.600, 0.650, 0.700, 0.750, 0.800, 0.850, 0.900, 0.950 |
| Large blocks | 4 | 1.000, 2.000, 3.000, 4.000 |
Total: 81 blocks, smallest 0.050 in, largest 4.000 in. All blocks laid end to end would measure 26.5295 in.
What sizes can it build?
Each block can be used once in a stack. Working it out for every size, every size in steps of 0.0001 in from 0.2000 to 26.3295 in can be built, as long as the stack uses each block only once.
Worked examples
Fewest-block stacks from the same solver the calculator uses; each one adds up to the target exactly.
| Target | Stack | Blocks |
|---|---|---|
| 0.7777 in | 0.550 + 0.127 + 0.1007 | 3 |
| 2.2222 in | 2.000 + 0.122 + 0.1002 | 3 |
| 3.1415 in | 2.000 + 0.900 + 0.141 + 0.1005 | 4 |
| 6.0000 in | 4.000 + 2.000 | 2 |
If a block is missing or worn
Untick the block in the free gage block calculator and it finds the next-best stack from what is left. If your set includes wear blocks, they can be added to the ends of a stack to protect the working blocks; see gage block care and wear blocks.
Build a stack from your 81-piece inch set in the free gage block calculator →
Prefer it filled in? Open the calculator with the set selected. Free, no login, works on a phone.
Related
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- How to wring gage blocks
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Quick answers
How many blocks are in a 81-piece inch gage block set?
The 81-piece inch set has 81 blocks, from 0.050 in to 4.000 in.
What sizes can the 81-piece inch set build?
Using each block once, it builds every size in steps of 0.0001 in from 0.2000 to 26.3295 in.
What is the quickest way to find a stack from the 81-piece inch set?
Clear the last digit first, then work left, or enter the size in the free gage block calculator at gageblockcalc.com and it lists the fewest-block stacks.
Gear for this job
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