Most economical/accurate hardness test

For $100 I'd say you got a good deal and it should work just fine. I might consider having somebody with a 60Rc range test block check a block and send to use as a 60Rc range test block. It's just too expensive to purchase a real test block, seems like they are in the $75 range?

I use a 3/8" HSS tool bit as a test piece so I'm not putting so many dimples in the real test block that came with my HR150A. If you don't have anyone local with a Rc tester, I'd be happy to help out - just send me an email (or PM).

Ken H>
 
Hi Ken, what's your reading of the hss tool bit? is it consistent with good degree over the tool surface? Did you test also different tool bits and are they hrc similar?
 
Fish - did the tester you purchased some with weights? If so, the diamond penetrator is only $11 or so shipped. What brand and model is it(edit: you said "Rockwell")? If it's the standard table top similar to the HR150A it might not be too hard to get going. A test block can be just a lathe tool bit, say 1/4" or 3/8" square to check operation. The tester you linked to from India looks like it's the standard tester build, and for $600 shipped it's a decent price.

Stezann - to answer your question I just checked Rc of several different tool bits, 1/4" and 3/8" as well as standard HSS and the 5% cobalt version. They all tested from 65 to 67 Rc hardness. The same tool bit does test the same (within a couple of tenths) at a couple different places on same bar.

You could pick up most any tool bit and expect it to be in the above range, or get somebody to local to test a tool bit for you.

Ken H>
 
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I recently got a tester for free but it has no weights. Anyone know where I can get weights? Been searching craigslist and ebay with no luck.

I found one place that wants $400 for a set but thats ridiculous in my opinion.
 
BKT said:
I recently got a tester for free but it has no weights. Anyone know where I can get weights? Been searching craigslist and ebay with no luck.

I found one place that wants $400 for a set but thats ridiculous in my opinion.
Click to expand...

From what I have read over the last couple of months, that sounds about right. Most on here would recommend getting one with all the weights included for that reason. They're expensive....
 
Rockwell hardness testers are calibrated instruments.... not a hunk of metal. The reason they are so expensive is that the components must work together
correctly so those weights are expensive because they are calibrated. Why do you think the unit was FREE because it was missing one of the two key components
the weights! The other component being diamond penetrator.

It would be hard to fly a plane without the tail even though its just a hunk of metal.
 
I meant just the weight itself. Seems easy to reproduce if you can just weigh one.
 
Well, if you can find somebody local you could look at their tester weight - should just be a panel to remove on back to see weights. I think perhaps this might give you some idea of weights:

https://www.accusizetools.com/content/HR-150A.pdf

You can see the weights, but it does NOT give weight required for this weight. It looks like 15 to 25 lb maybe??? Not sure, the leverage of levers give the 150KG weight on penetrator.

"IF" everything else is in good shape and is there, you could rig up a weight and using a known hardness block I'm sure you could make a weight that would work. You might could use a hollow metal can to slowly add lead shot until it produces the Rc reading of the test block? Going to be a long, slow process, "IF" everything else is working good and ONLY the weight is missing.

Good luck, and let us know how it works.

Ken H>
 
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