API 6A Seal Ring Groove Gages (BX & R/RX)

A ring groove is basically a closely dimensioned groove cut into the face of a pipe flange. Together with a gasket, a groove helps create a seal between parts, so it is important that a groove meets designated specifications.  

API 6A ring grooves are divided into three ring types, BX, R, and RX. Each type has different configurations and is designated by the type and a number, i.e. BX 150, R 41, etc.

API mandates the inspection of ring grooves. The necessary dimensions of a groove are clearly specified in API 6A. To pass API requirements, these dimensions must be met. For BX Grooves, the groove’s major diameter and width are specified. For R and RX Grooves, API specifies the groove’s pitch diameter and width.

Gagemaker’s face groove gages inspect groove diameters and groove widths. Excellent for inspecting hole locations. Additional extensions for various lengths are available, please contact customer service for more.

Face Groove and Hole Location Gages (BX/BXG Series)

Parts and accessories can be found on our Ring Groove product page.

Gages ship with default T188(BX) or T072 (BXG) contact points, but can be substituted upon customer request. Please specify ring groove type and size when ordering.

	Groove	Groove Diameter or Grove Width	Range^	Contact Points Included*	Indicator Travel	Indicator Resolution	Description	Model
	BX, R, RX	Diameter	2.6” - 13” (66 mm - 330.2 mm)	Customer Choice	-	-	Ball mic gage includes customer specified ball contact points (no indicator)	BX-900
	BX, R, RX	Diameter	2.6” - 13” (66 mm - 330.2 mm)	T188	.250”	.0005”	6A groove diameter gage includes T188 contact points*	BX-1000
	BX, R, RX	Diameter	2.6” - 13” (66 mm - 330.2 mm)	T188	.500"	.0001”	6A groove diameter gage with .0001” resolution includes T188 contact points*	BX-1000-1
	BX, R, RX	Width	.375” -1.5” (9.5 mm - 38.1 mm)	T072	.250”	.0005”	6A groove width gage includes T072 contact points*	BXG-1000
	BX, R, RX	Width	.375” -1.5” (9.5 mm - 38.1 mm)	T072	.500"	.0001”	6A groove width gage with .0001” resolution indicator, includes T072 contact points*	BXG-1000-1
	BX, R, RX	Width	.375” -1.5” (9.5 mm - 38.1 mm)	T072	5 mm	.01 mm	6A groove width gage with metric indicator, includes T072 contact points*	BXG-1000-M
	BX, R, RX or Custom	Width	.312” - 2.375” (8 mm - 60.3 mm)	T072	.250”	.0005”	Groove width gage includes T072 contact points*	BXG-1002
	BX, R, RX or Custom	Width	.312” - 2.375” (8 mm - 60.3 mm)	T072	.500”	.0001”	Groove width gage with .0001” resolution indicator, includes T072 contact points*	BXG-1002-1
	BX, R, RX or Custom	Width	.312” - 2.375” (8 mm - 60.3 mm)	T072	5 mm	.01 mm	Groove width gage with metric indicator, includes T072 contact points*	BXG-1002- M
	-	-	-	-	.500”	.001”	BX/BXG ball height setting gage, ½” X ½” U-notch base	PD-BX

*Included contact points may be changed upon customer request. Additional charges may apply.
^Range of diameters may be increased with optional extension rods. See table below.

Gage Setting Masters - BX Groove

Face groove and hole location setting masters are precision ground setting standards for the BX and BXG Series of gages. Each standard is based on a specific groove allowing it to be used to set both the BX and BXG gages. Custom standards are available, please contact customer service for more information.

BX Groove	Description	Model
149	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for API 17D SBX-149 groove	FSBX-149
150	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-150 groove	FSBX-150
151	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-151 groove	FSBX-151
152	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-152 groove	FSBX-152
153	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-153 groove	FSBX-153
154	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-154 groove	FSBX-154
155	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-155 groove	FSBX-155
156	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-156 groove	FSBX-156
157	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-157 groove	FSBX-157
158	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-158 groove	FSBX-158
159	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-159 groove	FSBX-159
160	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-160 groove	FSBX-160
161	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-161 groove	FSBX-161
162	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-162 groove	FSBX-162
163	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-163 groove	FSBX-163
164	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-164 groove	FSBX-164
165	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-165 groove	FSBX-165
166	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-166 groove	FSBX-166
167	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-167 groove	FSBX-167
168	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-168 groove	FSBX-168
169	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-169 groove	FSBX-169
170	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-170 groove	FSBX-170
171	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-171 groove	FSBX-171
172	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-172 groove	FSBX-172
303	BX-1000 Frame Setting Master for BX-303 groove	FSBX-303

Gage Setting Masters - R & RX

R & RX face groove and hole location setting masters are precision ground setting standards for the BX and BXG Series of gages. Each standard is based on a specific groove allowing it to be used to set both the BX and BXG gages. Custom standards are available, please contact customer service for more information.

R & RX Groove	Description	Model
20	Frame Setting Master for R-20 & RX-20 groove	FSR-20
23	Frame Setting Master for R-23 & RX-23 groove	FSR-23
24	Frame Setting Master for R-24 & RX-24 groove	FSR-24
25	Frame Setting Master for R-25 & RX-25 groove	FSR-25
26	Frame Setting Master for R-26 & RX-26 groove	FSR-26
27	Frame Setting Master for R-27 & RX-27 groove	FSR-27
31	Frame Setting Master for R-31 & RX-31 groove	FSR-31
35	Frame Setting Master for R-35 & RX-35 groove	FSR-35
37	Frame Setting Master for R-37 & RX-37 groove	FSR-37
39	Frame Setting Master for R-39 & RX-39 groove	FSR-39
41	Frame Setting Master for R-41 & RX-41 groove	FSR-41
44	Frame Setting Master for R-44 & RX-44 groove	FSR-44
45	Frame Setting Master for R-45 & RX-45 groove	FSR-45
46	Frame Setting Master for R-46 & RX-46 groove	FSR-46
47	Frame Setting Master for R-47 & RX-47 groove	FSR-47
49	Frame Setting Master for R-49 & RX-49 groove	FSR-49
50	Frame Setting Master for R-50 & RX-50 groove	FSR-50
53	Frame Setting Master for R-53 & RX-53 groove	FSR-53
54	Frame Setting Master for R-54 & RX-54 groove	FSR-54
55	Frame Setting Master for R-55 & RX-55 groove	FSR-55
57	Frame Setting Master for R-57 & RX-57 groove	FSR-57
58	Frame Setting Master for R-58 & RX-58 groove	FSR-58
63	Frame Setting Master for R-63 & RX-63 groove	FSR-63
65	Frame Setting Master for R-65 & RX-65 groove	FSR-65
66	Frame Setting Master for R-66 & RX-66 groove	FSR-66
69	Frame Setting Master for R-69 & RX-69 groove	FSR-69
69	Frame Setting Master for R-69 & RX-69 groove	FSR-69
70	Frame Setting Master for R-70 & RX-70 groove	FSR-70
73	Frame Setting Master for R-73 & RX-73 groove	FSR-73
74	Frame Setting Master for R-74 & RX-74 groove	FSR-74
82	Frame Setting Master for R-82 & RX-82 groove	FSR-82
84	Frame Setting Master for R-84 & RX-84 groove	FSR-84
85	Frame Setting Master for R-85 & RX-85 groove	FSR-85
86	Frame Setting Master for R-86 & RX-86 groove	FSR-86
87	Frame Setting Master for R-87 & RX-87 groove	FSR-87
88	Frame Setting Master for R-88 & RX-88 groove	FSR-88
89	Frame Setting Master for R-89 & RX-89 groove	FSR-89
90	Frame Setting Master for R-90 & RX-90 groove	FSR-90
91	Frame Setting Master for R-91 & RX-91 groove	FSR-91
99	Frame Setting Master for R-99 & RX-99 groove	FSR-99
201	Frame Setting Master for R-201 & RX-201 groove	FSR-201
205	Frame Setting Master for R-205 & RX-205 groove	FSR-205
210	Frame Setting Master for R-210 & RX-210 groove	FSR-210
215	Frame Setting Master for R-215 & RX-215 groove	FSR-215

BX-1000 Optional Extension Rods

Extend the measuring diameter of the BX-1000 from 13″ to 37″ with these optional extension rods.

Maximum Diameter Range	Length	Description	Model
13”	12.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R13
25”	24.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R24
31”	30.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R30
37”	36.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R36
40”	39.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R39
40”	41.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R40
45”	44.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R44
49”	48.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R48
58”	58.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R57
59”	59.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R59
83”	83.75”	BX-1000 extension rod	BX-R83

Replacement Parts

Lost a knob or a screw? Here is a list of common replacement parts we offer. Other parts may be available, please contact customer service for more information.

Related Gage Series	Part Type	Description	Model
BX-1000	Block assembly	BX-1000 fixed block assembly, wear pad included	BX-1000-1A
BX-1000	Screw	BX-1000 extension rod lock screw	BX-1000-2A
BX-1000	Screw	BX gage indicator set screw	BX-1000-3A
BX-1000	Block assembly	BX-1000 moveable block assembly, wear pad included	BX-1000-4A
BX-1000	Knob	BX-1000 lock knob	BX-1000-5A
BX-1000	Screw	6-32 X 3/8” flathead wear pad screw	BX-1000-6A
BX-1000	Screw	BX-1000 contact point adjustment screw, ¼-28 x ¾”	BX-1000-7A
BX-1000	Screw	BX-1000 contact point lock screw	BX-1000-8A
BX-1000	Spring	BX-1000 internal spring assembly	BX-1000-9A
BXG-1000	Wear Pad	BXG-1000 Wear Pad	BXG-1000-1A
BXG-1000	Screw	BXG-1000 lock screw, 8-32 x 1/8” , brass tipped	BXG-1000-2A
BXG-1000	Knob	BXG-1000 rear contact point lock knob	BXG-1000-3A
BXG-1000	Knob	Contact point adjustment knob	BXG-1000-4A
BXG-1000	Screw	Contact point adjustment screw, 10-32 X ½”	BXG-1000-5A
BXG-1000	Knob	Contact point adjustment knob	BXG-1000-A8
BXG-1000	Knob	Rear contact pt lock knob	BXG-1000-A9

The dog bone (or paddle) gages are simple GO/NO GO gages used to quickly check groove diameters on BX, R, & RX grooves. We recommend these for later checkup inspections after using the BX and BXG gages for a thorough inspection. Gagemaker precision manufactures these dog bones to ensure the highest quality.

Gagemaker groove width profiles are simple GO/NO GO gages used to quickly check groove widths on BX, R, & RX grooves. We recommend these for later checkup inspections after using the BX and BXG gages for a thorough inspection. Gagemaker precision manufactures these profiles to ensure the highest quality. Custom profiles are available.

Groove width amplifier gages use flushpins to indicate acceptance or rejection.

The CamLock micrometers measure API weld flange thickness. Supplied with verification standard. Replacement standards are available separately, please contact customer service.