Any thoughts about the Lee Lead Hardness test kit?

[prebans]

Just starting to explore casting my own boolits and this strikes me as a good way to see if I made the finished boolit correctly or not. Any recommendations or thoughts about Lee's hardness test kit?

[Rcmaveric]

I use it and recommend it.

Use full for finnaly BHN if you have target goal. I use it more for mixing alloys. Inuse a lot of scrounged mistery metals. Good way to mix and match to get a desired BHN.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Froogal]

I have one. It is decidedly better than nothing. Still involves a bit of guesswork.

[Hossfly]

I like the art pencils test, a little harder on testing boolits tho, but fine on ingots.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I use the Lee kit and like it.
Before I bought the Lee kit, I did some research reading comparing it to other methods...tests concluded it is just as accurate as any of the others. Using the microscope, holding it steady, having enough light, is really the only downside. There have been several solutions to this, from using a pop bottle top...to modifying a child's toy plastic microscope

[Mal Paso]

They work, the price is good and there are mods for holding the magnifier.

[JBinMN]

I use one & it works for me adequately.

Only difference is that I have not used the microscope do-hickey for some time.

Instead I take a red sharpie pen & color the divot, then use my calipers to measure the divot. ( I have used a magnifying glass to look to place the calipers on the edges of the divot, but after I got a better light for the bench I no longer need to do that.)

Then compare the number from the caliper to the scale provided with the kit & go from there.

I don't "have" to color the divot, but it makes it just a bit more highlighted to see sometimes. Also good if you decide to repeat the test for some reason on the same lead, it can reference which divot is the oldest as compared to the newest one.

Unless ya want to spend more $$, it should work fine for most folks, IMO.

Some like old pickup trucks & some like new fast cars to get somewhere, its one of those YMMV things.

The Lee tester still does the job, it just does not measure & tell you what the result is immediately. You have to do the extra steps to find the BHN yourself. So, to me, it is like the old pickup truck that gets ya there, it does the job.

G'Luck! whatever ya decide to get!
:)

[mdi]

The most complained about part of the Lee kit is the microscope. But there are many ways to get around that, and Mal Paso's method works quite well. Personally I tried a few, but wound up using my magnifying visor and dial calipers. I just "bracket" the dimple with my calipers and use the Lee chart...

[Don1357]

It is as good as your ability to measure consistently, and it does a good job at allowing you to be consistent in a fairly standard way.

With pencils you can learn to be consistent inasmuch as "Is this harder or softer than this othe sample?". The problem is that two people can have different techniques leading to each having their own scale. They both get meaningful information but what one extrapolate to bhn 10 the other may consider bhn 12. Either have no problem blending and measuring the alloy hardness they may aim for. With the Lee tester if you get good at it (sample prep, application of force, time, measuring of dimple) we both should get pretty darn close to the same value.

[ABJ]

I love mine. I use a table top hobby vise from Harbor Freight to hold the microscope and a flashlight on the desk. works like a champ.
Tony

[HP9MM]

Get a Lead Bullet Technology tester and move on. No guessing with it.

[Eddie17]

Mal Paso has the answer!
Use mine all the time.

[Rick Hodges]

I have one, it is usable, inexpensive and repeatable. I have fabricated the pop bottle holder as well. I'm not sure if it is directly comparable to actual BHN numbers but I get repeatable accuracy that I can use to compare my alloys.

[metricmonkeywrench]

As a novice in casting it now gives me a second data point other than the grey stuff melted in the pot.

If anything it’s a good place to start as been said by those more experienced than me.

[bangerjim]

I have one and have not used it since I bought my CabineTree-style tester several years ago. The CT tester is VERY accurate, easy to use, works on any shape of sample, is totally portable (take to junk yard!), very fast, and not hard on my eyes like that silly little microscope thingy.

Buy what you can afford, but spend more than you feel you should, as you will have it for a long time!!!!!

Good luck!

bangerjim

[Larry Gibson]

I use the Lee BHN Tester all the time and find it easy and simple to use. I did mount the scope in a "toy" microscope which makes for quick and accurate measurements.

247115

247116

247117

[JBinMN]

I have one and have not used it since I bought my CabineTree-style tester several years ago. The CT tester is VERY accurate, easy to use, works on any shape of sample, is totally portable (take to junk yard!), very fast, and not hard on my eyes like that silly little microscope thingy.

Buy what you can afford, but spend more than you feel you should, as you will have it for a long time!!!!!

Good luck!

bangerjim

Haha.
:kidding:

Prebans, (< The OP)

Looks like BangerJim might have one for sale at a discounted price...
;)

Just having a bit of fun.
;)

:kidding:

[mehavey]

See http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?169268-Lee-hardness-tester-stand&p=1894714&viewfull=1#post1894714
T`ain't rocket science.
:bigsmyl2:

[poppy42]

I like mine. The only criticism is the magnifying tube. Ya have to stabilize it as others have suggested. Or do like I do and use a jewelry loop and your calibers. I find it pretty spot on.

[Pete44mag]

I bought one and use it with the magnifying tube then back up my reading with a caliper. I find it works well but for now I'm just getting into casting boolits and I need a lot of other toys before I can realize my dream of casting and rolling my own.

[retread]

I use the Lee BHN Tester all the time and find it easy and simple to use. I did mount the scope in a "toy" microscope which makes for quick and accurate measurements.

247115

247116

247117

Great idea Larry, I think I will be hunting for a microscope. Thanks!

[hermans]

I have one and have not used it since I bought my CabineTree-style tester several years ago. The CT tester is VERY accurate, easy to use, works on any shape of sample, is totally portable (take to junk yard!), very fast, and not hard on my eyes like that silly little microscope thingy.

Buy what you can afford, but spend more than you feel you should, as you will have it for a long time!!!!!

Good luck!

bangerjim

What he says!
The Cabine Tree tester is now sold by Buffalo Arms, and yes it is $30 more, but there is no comparison between the two. So if you like to get accurate readings from the start without any hassle, get the Cabine Tree type, it will last you a lifetime!

[kens]

Well, if you got a BHN tester, and you get your alloy at your targeted hardness,
then how do you know if it is hard with tin or with antimoney?

What if you test a unknown batch, then how do you tell it is hard with antimoney or tin?
How can you tell if it is not babbit?

[Rcmaveric]

Well, if you got a BHN tester, and you get your alloy at your targeted hardness,
then how do you know if it is hard with tin or with antimoney?

What if you test a unknown batch, then how do you tell it is hard with antimoney or tin?
How can you tell if it is not babbit?You dont unless you get it tested. Most sources will a known range.

Like range scrap or anything swaged wont have tin and will be hardened with antimony. Antimony helps with swaging process.

Wheel weights have range of knowns. So you guesstimate. Just sort them.

Babets, you can get a chart from roto metals. Its guess though unless you know what your talking about. Doubt most of us can pick it out at a junk yard, i know i cant.

Pewter is mostly tin as are lead pipe joints.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[mehavey]

And if you really want a neat toy combo of impression maker/measurement whose accuracy is the cat's meow . . .
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6103326&postcount=7
:popcorn:

[jmort]

The Lee hardness tester is as accurate as it gets
Do not let its price fool you

"The Lee tester appeared to produce the most readings that were both consistent and closest to the actual laboratory results. Although individually other testers came in with slightly smaller standard deviations and numbers that came in closer to calibrated equipment, the Lee appeared to have the best combination between the two areas."

This makes sense based on the design.

http://www.lasc.us/Shay-BHN-Tester-Experiment.htm

[6bg6ga]

I have one and have not used it since I bought my CabineTree-style tester several years ago. The CT tester is VERY accurate, easy to use, works on any shape of sample, is totally portable (take to junk yard!), very fast, and not hard on my eyes like that silly little microscope thingy.

Buy what you can afford, but spend more than you feel you should, as you will have it for a long time!!!!!

Good luck!

bangerjim

I will have to agree here. I did some research of different brands per an article floating around. I used the Lee that a friend has and found it less than user friendly. The Cabine Tree unit is very fast to use and accurate no fuss no muss.
You can check a number of bullets in less than a minutes time. Try doing that with the Lee. Granted if you want a bargain and your pinching penny's the Lee will get you there eventually.

[Jeff R]

I like my Lee Hardness Tester. When I finish a casting session and have reloaded the pot, I make a puck of the contents and then take it down to the Bunker and do a hardness test on it.

247146

On my next trip out to the Men's Crisis Center, I toss the latest puck into the pot. That way, when I start the next casting session, I know the BHN if what's in the pot.

247147

To make the puck, I ladle lead into my little Lee dipper. I do this in several layers. If you fill the dipper all at once, shrinkage on cooling makes a dip in the surface that makes it harder to get a good reading.

Jeff

Rocketing towards 200 posts!

[trapper9260]

I have one and happy with it and from what I found it works just as good for then any other for me that I check out. 247153 this is my set up I made .Works for me.

[Conditor22]

I do like Larry G does but with a DIY wood frame, not a fancy microscope stand. If you don't have/make a stand of some sort you will not be happy with it.

a more complete hardness chart
https://i.imgur.com/rAyxLRU.png

I use pencils for most of my testing although I do like my lee tester

[asecertified]

I had a Lee tester for quite a while. Yes it worked good for what it is. It just was not fast enough for what i wanted to do after a year or two. I bought a Cabin Tree and never looked back. I gave the Lee tester and a spare mold to a friend that is just getting into casting. For what he is doing it works great.

[Larry Gibson]

Great idea Larry, I think I will be hunting for a microscope. Thanks!

I found mine in a second hand/antique store and have seen others since. Got it for less than $15 if I remember right. Took the lens out and drilled one hole in the bottom for the scope to fit through. Then wrapped the scope with duct tape to a tight fit inside the micro-scope body. Modeling clay is used on the piece of soda case cardboard to hold the bullet. It is quick, easy and very accurate.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I have been using one of these for many years. I don't use the little micro scope with mine as I have a Full on Nikon 6C Optical Comparator in my shop with a digital readout that goes down to 10 millionths of an inch. With this tool I can interpolate down to . single Bhn digits using the Lee Chart. IE: .1 Bhn

The issue with using this tool is being able to get a repeatable measurement. You must hold the scope solidly which requires a mechanical holder of some type. I have seen many good ideas here at Cast Boolits.

The actual Penetrator is a first class piece of tooling and I get perfectly repeatable results easily by setting my press up so it goes over center when the plunger is flush with the top of the tool, or in the case of my Hand Presses, the handles bottom out on the upper plate thus insuring that the plunger goes to the same depth every time.

I simply test on the Flat Nose of any given boolit, as pretty much all of mine are flat nosed.

IMHO these tools are by far the most Accurate, Repeatable and "Best Made Tools" for this purpose available to the home caster. All you've got to do is hold the scope steady to get good results.

Maybe some one could do a Sticky that had all the different designs of scope holders I've seen here over the years. There's something for just about everybody.

Randy

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

SNIP...

IMHO these [Lee] tools are by far the most Accurate, Repeatable and "Best Made Tools" for this purpose available to the home caster. All you've got to do is hold the scope steady to get good results.

Maybe some one could do a Sticky that had all the different designs of scope holders I've seen here over the years. There's something for just about everybody.

Randy

A sticky is a great idea. I made this post a few years ago (I just made it a sticky today due to this suggestion).
Maybe everyone can add their design to it?
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?314381-Hardness-tester-Stand-for-Lee-Precision-20x-Microscope

[Conditor22]

scrap wood I don't use the groove I cut, I file a flat spot on the nose of the boolit, stick it to a small, flat something to move around easily and lower the scope until in focus

https://i.imgur.com/qq3xxLD.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/B4bQlNE.jpg

[Conditor22]

I like this solution, anyone can build this :)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?314381-Hardness-tester-Stand-for-Lee-Precision-20x-Microscope&p=3766084&viewfull=1#post3766084

[charlie b]

If you are shopping for one try reading this comparison.

http://www.lasc.us/Shay-BHN-Tester-Experiment.htm

[RogerDat]

Larger batches testing so you know the alloy and can calculate the hardness should work. You know the ingredients, you know the BHN close enough for a government job. Smaller batches it really doesn't matter too much why the alloy has a specific BHN reading you just care that it is hard enough for the use intended. That is where I think the hardness tester would be most useful.

I like the idea of a tester easy enough to haul along to a scrap yard. Accurate hardness could provide some useful information when purchasing. Should be a marked difference between something with a couple percent antimony and plain soft lead. Something harder could have say zinc but if the BHN is a dead on match for linotype then.... So portable and accurate would be nice. I use a harbor freight prick punch, spring loaded so the force is repeatable. Have hit known lead alloys so have an idea of dimple size for know alloys. Not super accurate but enough to give me a clue if it is "too hard" or dead soft or probably close to WW lead. More than once have come across lead in bullet caster ingots. Nice to get a feel for what they are before buying.

[Edward]

Works fine ,have used one for 10-12 yrs . I use it strictly as a bench mark soft is BHN 8 for me/ 10-11 is about 1-20 /13-14 is pushing 1-16 and it is consistent year to year and some one else who has a Cabin tree testers shows a different BHN#but it always corresponds to my hardness #,all I need/Ed