Lee hardness tester

[rodsvet]

OK, I ordered the Lee BNH tester. Cabintree look like the best but I only need to test occasionally and $57 seems alot better than $130. Am I stupid??

[kungfustyle]

Not stupid, Thrifty. A lot of people use them both. For what it is the Lee works. Use a soda bottle to help stabilize the microscope, there a few video's on you tube for that.

[matrixcs]

I have found it useful to put my tested samples on the glass of my printer/copymachine and enlarge the copy 400% then measure the indents.. some accuracy may be incurred but I do not find reading the microscope much fun and it is prone to error for me since I can not seem to hold it steady enough for accurate reading..

[rodsvet]

When it gets here, I will test it out and report if it works or if it doesn't. I've been casting for 40 years with straight line, and have 500 lbs. of softer lead and 1200 lbs. of lino. I want to blend it so I can stretch my supply. Rod

[trapper9260]

I use the Lee tester and it is work good for me and there was other post about it in the past and for what it is worth it works out as for how to use the glass this is how i have my set up.
124725

It is simple and dose the job and have more then one adjustment

[pjames32]

I'd been casting primarily with COWW's with some lino added for faster tuff. The WW's were running out so I bought a Lee hardness tester. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but is gave me a target from previously cast bullets to know what hardness to try to achieve with my new "mix"
Now I'm mixing soft, lino and tin and have a mark to hit. Hope it works!
PJ

[gwpercle]

Stupid? Not in the least. Seems like most of the new stuff I buy is Lee. I wouldn't be able to afford very many moulds if it wasn't for their $20.00 double cavities. Universal decapping die and the universal case expanding die are things I can't do without.
The hardness tester will do just what you want it for.
Not a thing wrong with being frugal.
Gary

[bangerjim]

The Lee is accurate but very slow. And I have trouble squinting thru that tiny microscope. That's why I bought the Cabine. Fast, Accurate, Portable, doesn't tie up a press, and Easy to Read with the digital indicator I put on it. I don't use the Lee anymore, but I compaired both and they are close enough for "gubmint werk"! Gonna give it to a buddy.

You do not have to wait the 30 seconds.......just do a slow bump and go to bring the plunger up even with the top. I could see absolutely no difference in the bump and go and the horrible 30 second hold and the Cabine readings.

bangerjim

[jmort]

It is an excellent value, as accurate as anything out there for home use.

[1_Ogre]

The Lee BHN tester does work, but it takes practice. See some of the below listed posts for making an adapter to hold the microscope, that's the BIG weakness of the Lee tester. It does work and will give you BHN readings close enough for our work. There are others out there, but the Lee does work if you can hold that darned microscope steady enough to get reliable readings.

[rodsvet]

Well, I received the tester and it really works. I tested and retested many bullets and a few ingots, and the repeatability was right on! As mentioned before, holding the microscope steady is a chore. I will be making a viewing stand to hold the scope and an LED light. The Cabintree is, I'm sure a great tool, but for me this fits the bill for less than half the cost. Rod

[sealer]

i just bought one last week too
dennis

[wquiles]

Well, I received the tester and it really works. I tested and retested many bullets and a few ingots, and the repeatability was right on! As mentioned before, holding the microscope steady is a chore. I will be making a viewing stand to hold the scope and an LED light.
+1

I got mine a few weeks ago and works really well, except for holding the scope by hand. If/when you get a viewing stand, please share plans/ideas :)

Will

[jmort]

Use the top section of a sports drink bottle and put a hole in the lid. It works as a viewing dome. Member here posted it. Great mod, stable and let's in ample light.

[rodsvet]

I will try the bottle trick first, but would like to make up something permanent. Rod

[drinks]

I am cheap, I just built a ripoff of the cabine tester, only cost was $6 for a dial gage from HF.

[bangerjim]

I am cheap, I just built a ripoff of the cabine tester, only cost was $6 for a dial gage from HF.

So how did you accurately calibrate the spring???????? That is the whole key to the thing. I thought of making one because there is virtually nothing to it and I have a complete machine shop, but the spring rate and tensioning is the key to accuracy.

By turning the nut on the Cabine, you could make it read just about anything! Nothing like having a rubber yardstick on your bench.

I put a digital HF 1" travel dial indicator on my Cabine and love it. The digital does a lot more than $6 but is worth well it. When you read 0.075 it is 0.075. No guesswork reading a dial and pointer.

banger

[rockshooter]

trapper 9260- Nice!

[wquiles]

sorry - double post

[wquiles]

Use the top section of a sports drink bottle and put a hole in the lid. It works as a viewing dome. Member here posted it. Great mod, stable and let's in ample light.

Found the link to the idea:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?243674-Lee-Microscope-made-easy!-Thanks-to-whoever-for-the-idea!

[jmort]

It is there in the thread, GP100man invented it, and it is sublime in it's ingenuity and simplicity.

[wquiles]

Yup, I found it on that thread. I found another thread about a small holder, which is the way I am thinking about going for mine:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?179403-I-modded-my-Lee-lead-hardness-tester

[wquiles]

Here are pictures of the holder I made today from a scrap piece of plastic. Nothing "pretty", but works great:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/Lee_Hardness_Tester/20141230_143716.jpg

http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/Lee_Hardness_Tester/20141230_162640.jpg

http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/Lee_Hardness_Tester/20141230_170715.jpg

http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/Lee_Hardness_Tester/20141231_105142.jpg

http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/Lee_Hardness_Tester/20141231_105245.jpg

http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/Lee_Hardness_Tester/20141231_105807.jpg


The image through the microscope actually looks much better/clearer, but this is the best I could do with my phone's camera:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/casting/Lee_Hardness_Tester/20141231_105431.jpg


Will

[jmort]

Nice work and great photos.

[wquiles]

Nice work and great photos.

Thanks. I now keep the white plastic piece and microscope together as one unit, which has the added benefit of protecting the microscope :)

[jmar254]

Uber helpful if you can remember up is down and right is left. I wonder if marking the edges of the dimple or the dimple itself with a marker or crayon would make reading the line easier? Eyes aren't as good as they used to be. I have a boolit that I tested over the weekend, I may try this when i get home.