Abstract: A strain gauge arrangement for die casing machines of the type having tie bars with threaded ends, comprises an unthreaded, uniform intermediate portion on at least one of the tie bars, which defines a measuring region with interior and exterior ends. An elongate aperture extends through the end of the one tie bar, and terminates at a base that defines the interior end of the measuring region. A detector rod is telescopingly received in the aperture, and has its inner end resiliently urged into continuous contact with the base of the aperture. A sleeve is slidingly received over the outer end of the detector rod, and has its inner end resiliently urged into continuous contact with a shoulder which defines the exterior end of the measuring region. A measuring device detects changes in the relative position of the outer ends of the detector rod and the sleeve to determine strain in the measuring region of the one tie bar.