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Thread: Testing hardness with pencils

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Aug 2022
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    Testing hardness with pencils

    Hey y’all

    I was wondering if the lead pencil kits are worth the 15$ to get some rough Bhn hardness values?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

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    I bought a set, haven't used it yet.
    Spell check doesn't work in Chrome, so if something is spelled wrong, it's just a typo that I missed.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master Wheelguns 1961's Avatar
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    I use my set whenever I get in a new batch.
    Due to the price of primers, warning shots will no longer be given!

  4. #4
    Boolit Master Sasquatch-1's Avatar
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    I used the pencils and couldn't get the hang of it. I ended up buying a Cabine Tree tester.
    A vote for anyone other then the conservative candidates is a vote for the liberal candidates.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master


    kungfustyle's Avatar
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    Yes they are. The pencils are made to an exact hardness that you can use to guesstimate the leads hardness with. Some on on this site posted a chart about it, if you can't find it pm me and I'll get you a copy of mine.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

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    Certainly, $15 is cheaper than $50 to $100+ for testing alloy BHN. If you are serious and "have to know", then spend the $50 to $100+ for a tester.

    If you want to be "close to the pin" and "in the ballpark" buy the $15 pencils, read the castboolit "Pencil Test" thread https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...s-with-pencils , adjust your pencil leads therewith, try your hand (it isn't difficult) to gain experience with the technique, and then decide if another $50 to $100+ is the way you want to go.
    If it was easy, anybody could do it.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Yah, pretty simple to use and give a good indication of the hardness.
    Take a kid to the range, you'll both be glad you did.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

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    It's not all Kabuki Theater either, the paint industry uses pencils. The pencil tip needs a clean square tip. There are a number of videos showing the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Qd00uJDMQ Obviously we can't use the pencil holder gizmo shown in the video, but it gives you enough information to play with.
    “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.” Ronald Reagan


  9. #9
    Boolit Mold
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    Thanks y’all.

  10. #10
    Boolit Mold
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    Yes

  11. #11
    Boolit Master

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    Yes, the pencil set gives reliable results IF your technique is good. The pencil point must be a sharp SQUARE corner. Hold the pencil at 45*. Use the same pressure on each test. You'll quickly get the hang of it!
    "We take a thousand moments for granted thinking there will be a thousand more to come. Each day, each breath, each beat of your heart is a gift. Live with love & joy, tomorrow is not promised to anyone......"

    unknown

  12. #12
    Boolit Master 6622729's Avatar
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    Jun 2015
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    Had the Lee tester and hated the process. The pencils are so easy and plenty accurate enough.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check