Time to move on up - need a hardness tester, which one?

[selmerfan]

Okay,
I've finally had enough of "getting by" without a lead hardness tester. I've had other people test my bullets, so I know what they are coming out at, but I want to be able to do it myself with different alloys. I'd like to know what works the most consistently and gives the best results. I know Lee makes one (probably the most expensive casting item they make! :) ) SAECO makes one - pretty pricey, I've heard of LBT and a Cabin Tree tester. I'd love to hear from those of you who have one, I'm not interested in making my own, I have enough homemade stuff stored in the man cave as it is, and the commercial ones look pretty small. Thanks for your help!!!
Selmerfan

[R.M.]

I've used the Lee, a home made unit and the LBT. I much prefer the LBT. It reads the hardness, no looking at charts or converting etc, just look at the scale, and that's what you got.

[870TC]

I also have the LBT and love it. Real easy to use, no microscopes or conversion charts.

[GP100man]

i shot stik ons (reel soft ) 50/50 stik ons & WW ( medium) to straight WW (hard)with a little tin added for a long time , then i bought a lee bhn tester so i could put a number on the hardness . has`nt changed how i load just saves time & components by matching pressure to BHN of boolits.
now if all the loading data would go to psi instead of some using cup we`d be set!!!!


GP100man:castmine:

[snaggdit]

I have a Lee. Haven't tried any of the others so I can't compare, but for the price it gets it done. Sounds like the LBT is easier, so if you have the money go for it. If you want frugal the Lee functions fine.

[crazy mark]

I have a Cabin Tree and it is made by a member here. Works just fine. I used a friends Saeco but was limited by bullet shape. Not with the Cabin Tree.

[Dale53]

I had a Saeco hardness tester and didn't like it at all. I got rid of it. then I got the LBT Hardness tester and have been pleased with it. It IS as advertised.

However, if I were purchasing today, I would go with the Cabine Tree tester as it is more versatile:

http://www.castingstuff.com/cabinetree_loading_products.htm

Be sure and scroll around to see all of Cabine Tree products. I have their "Locking mould handles" and like them really well.

Dale53

[Fire_stick]

I bought a lee hardness tester, too. The scope is difficult, but not impossible to use.

I did find this site http://www.tacticoolproducts.com/brinell/ that explains how to utilize a computer, scanner and freeware to measure the dimple diameter. Seems to give comparable results. I wonder if others have used this?

[snaggdit]

Neat idea, using the scanner. Only problem is on pointed boolits you will still need to file a flat on the side. I'm going to give it a try. I always have to fight to get the scope in the right place. Hard to get used to moving the opposite of what you see.

[revolver junkie]

i use a lee tester and the best way ive found to use the scope is put the ingot on a solid surface adn rest both arms on that surface and use a flashlight to get light in there but it works great and take a few seconds to read it.

[blackthorn]

Another vote for the LBT. I've had mine for several years and am real happy with it. As others have said what you see is what you got! The cabin tree would be my next choice (based on what I have read only).

[Char-Gar]

I bought a SAECO 15 years ago and have been very pleased with it. All I need and then some.

[mtgrs737]

Cabin Tree, it is accurate and easy to use.

[Humbo]

Another vote for the Cabin Tree.
LASC did an extensive test on the different hardness testers, it can be found here: http://www.lasc.us/Shay-BHN-Tester-Experiment.htm

Good luck with your choice.

[shooter2]

Lbt...

[les265]

I have the Lee hardness tester. It isn't perfectly simple, but it isn't that difficult either.

My friend worked in a lab that did a lead hardness test and he said that the Lee tester was basically the same as what they used.

[JSnover]

The Lee is simple enough and cheap enough but you do need to keep the scope steady. There was a thread last year from a member who mounted the scope in his press. Very slick.

[montana_charlie]

I have the Lee, and I am satisfied. But Dan Theodore is a BPCR bullet designer, lube engineer, and all-around searcher for ultimate accuracy. His experimenting goes amazingly deep into the subject at hand, and he never seems to lack for money.

He is currently doing a 'hardness test' on various bullet alloys to see how they change over time. We are talking about a test period that is up to (something like) 29 weeks, now.

He compared the Cabine Tree with the Lee...and they agreed.
He is using the Lee for his test.

CM

[GP100man]

i put my scope in a 2 liter bottle top & cut the container off at the rite heigth holds it perfect

GP100man:cbpour:

[RonC]

Fire_Stick

I use the vise, ball bearing and calipers to estimate the BNH. I don't need an accurate number for the pistol loads I shoot, just a ballpark value to make me feel warm and fuzzy.

If you are pushing the limits, like in a rifle, more accuracy might be of value.

[daboone]

You might want to look here:
http://www.lasc.us/Shay-BHN-Tester-Experiment.htm

[rickomatic]

I got the Lee hardness tester, but it was hard to hold the scope steady enough to get a good reading with these old eyes. So I made up a little holder for the scope and it works pretty well. The hole for the scope it loose enough that I can move it up and down to get a good focus, yet tight enough that once the focus is dialed in it's hand free. I made a little cradle for the boolit that can be moved around to get the dimple in the right position for the scale. The idea wasn't original. I stole it from someone else who said that they had mounted their scope in an old microscope. I didn't have an old microscope, so I improvised. I now need to find a little LED light to mount so that it shines on the boolit cradle. :-D


http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i84/rickomatic/DSC_0064-2.jpg

[Fire_stick]

You might want to look here:
http://www.lasc.us/Shay-BHN-Tester-Experiment.htm

Very interesting. There is so much at the lasc site. Thanks for posting the link!

[Fire_stick]

[QUOTE=rickomatic;532323]I got the Lee hardness tester, but it was hard to hold the scope steady enough to get a good reading with these old eyes. So I made up a little holder for the scope and it works pretty well. The hole for the scope it loose enough that I can move it up and down to get a good focus, yet tight enough that once the focus is dialed in it's hand free. I made a little cradle for the boolit that can be moved around to get the dimple in the right position for the scale. The idea wasn't original. I stole it from someone else who said that they had mounted their scope in an old microscope. I didn't have an old microscope, so I improvised. I now need to find a little LED light to mount so that it shines on the boolit cradle. :-D




Fanstastic set-up! I will have to try this. Thanks for sharing.

[Firebricker]

I like the LBT best but my lee was just as consistent but slower to use. FB

[MT Gianni]

I like my Cabintree. It will measure any flat surface from ingots to bullets to scrap poured in the bottom of a tuna can. It is repeatable and also can be used for testing cartridge run out.

[oldtoolsniper]

I use the lee and I am convinced I am having a major epileptic seizure every time I look through that scope. I am looking for a microscope to retrofit with the lee scope and then my seizures will go away!

[snuffy]

The Lee is simple enough and cheap enough but you do need to keep the scope steady. There was a thread last year from a member who mounted the scope in his press. Very slick.

Like this?

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/arrow/websize/P3290151_edited.JPG

And this;

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/arrow/websize/P3290152_edited.JPG

and;

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/arrow/websize/P3290153_edited.JPG

The scope is mounted in a 45 seater die, with the guts taken out. A wrap of electrical tape is used to keep it from moving around.

I too had a maddening time trying to get enough light on it, get the scale on both sides of the dimple, and do it all without saying p**s on it! This method makes it a piece of cake!