Lead Alloy Hardness Tester

[missionary5155]

Good evening
I am partial to the LBT... have for a while & I do not have a Crabtree. Have tried the others and they are no help to me ...
But with a little trial and error I would have to say IF you do not have the now $100 for a new LBT the "hammer& Ball bearing SMACK" works as good as I will ever need. A good dial caliper is also VERY helpful in measuring the impresions in the Pure lead sample and the "Unknown sample"along with a calculator. BUT you cannot test individuals Boolits with the Ball Bearing Test so the LBT still gets out of the box off and on.

[Maj Dad]

Thank you one and all - I think I will opt for the Cabine Tree Dual Purpose Tester. It appeals to me...

[DAFzipper]

I have a SAECO tester. After sending it back to be "fixed" it reads well. If I had to do it again I would go with the Cabine Tree. The ability to check ingots would be helpful. Order his locking mold handles, you will love them.

[Circuit Rider]

DAFZipper, ditto on Cabine Tree products. Have the dual tester, locking handles, cross sticks,and a couple other items. Excellent products, and Jim is a great guy to boot. Circuit Rider

[JesterGrin_1]

Guess I am the odd-ball here because I don't own a Cabine Tree. I do have a Lee and a LBT. Had a Saeco and did not like it so sold it here. My LBT is easy to use BUT it gives inconsistent readings do I believe to the non-precise zero setting before reading a sample boolit.

As it came from the factory, my Lee was impossible for me to use. Hands are too shakey. I was never sure I was holding the "indenter" in the exact same position for each test so I mounted a dial indicator on it which allows me to hold it within 1/2 thousand each test. I could not hold the scope steady enough for a ready so I removed the guts from a childs mocroscope and installed the Lee scope in place. I also made a holder for the boolit that I could slide under the scope with BOTH shakey hands for a more steady positioning. I installed a small tube flashlight for additional lighting. There are pictures somewhere on this forum of my Lee set-up. My Lee now gives me the most consistent readings and is VERY easy to use. Of the two it is my favorite and I trust it the most.

After reading all of the "raves" about the Cabine Tree I may get one in the future to try. Not this year, money is too tight.

Larry

Larry here you go.. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...&highlight=Lee

[Casting Timmy]

Has anyone heard of the Potter Hardness tester? I saw a picture of one in an old catalog I have and wondered how well it worked. I'll see if I can post of photo of it later, to maybe help someone recongize it.

If someone has one,I'd really like to see some close up pictures of it and also know some of hte dimensions off of it.

Thanks
Casting Timmy

[dromia]

Never heard of that one, look forward to the pictures CT.

Welcome to Cast Boolits BTW.

[Casting Timmy]

Let's see if I add this picture in right. I found it in an old gun book and catalog combo.....wish I could buy the guns in the catalog at those prices still. It's definitely an old book, but it has a lot of good information in it.

[cbrick]

Here is an article on the results of an experiment on alloy hardness testers done by one of cast boolits members. A lot of good info and comparison's.

Shay-BHN-Tester-Experiment

Rick

[zomby woof]

I use this set up to measure my lead. I keep all my batches and lead scrounges separate. I use WW, lino and pure as my reference. I use calipers and a magnaviser to measure the indentation.

[kodiakken]

I'm not as knowlegdeable as most of you all here but I'll throw my opinion out there anyway. I like my LBT hardness tester. It's easy to use and the results seem to be pretty consistent.