lead hardness tester

[deces]

This should make reading measurements with the Lee kit very easy.
https://www.thereloadersnetwork.com/...ness-test-kit/

[Rickf1985]

Here is a test done with all of the common testers and the surprisingly the Lee was closest to the scientific findings. It is a pain to use but that can be overcome. I plan on getting a Cabine tree for odd shaped finds.

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

[Sasquatch-1]

Anything recently melted should rest for a 2 to 3 weeks to get a good reading. Once you get your testers try casting a few bullets. Test some right away, wait a week test some more. Do this for a few weeks and you should figure out how long to wait before testing.

[lightman]

I have been happy with my Cabine Tree. With just a little practice its easy to get repeatable readings. I thought hard about the Saeco but the Cabine Tree will work with ingots and other odd shapes.

[hc18flyer]

Today I was at Goodwill trying to find a used toaster oven for my first attempt at powder coating. Didn't find that, but I came across a microscope from a kids science set, complete with 4x, 20x, and 40x magnifiers. The price was right, so it came home with me. Heck, even the 2 led lights still work. This winter I may see how close my alloys are from Bumpo's calculator. hc18flyer

[stubshaft]

I used a Cabine Tree for most of my hardness testing. I had a SAECO but ut would give erroneous readings at times.

[PhilC]

Buffalo Arms, aka Cabine Tree, works great for me.

[georgerkahn]

Don't know if this is the right place to ask. What is the best lead hardness tester that you guys have found?

thanks,
rmcc

Through the (~50?) years I've acquired many. The two "best" imho are the Cabine and the Saeco. That said, however, I -- and this may very well just be a "me, only" -- truly believe these are rather "subjective". Perhaps my ineptness (?) -- but I find pretty much all lead hardness testers as great tools for casters, checking hardness variations in MY melt alloys. E.g., if it comes out what may be a tad too soft, I drop on some RotoMetal 'hard'... and voila: hardness achieved. On the other hand, I've never had too much faith in just checking an alloy to get what I consider an accurate reading. Too many "hard" (commercial) bullet tests have kind of reinforced this.
But, again, for checking personal alloy harness -- both the Cabine and Saeco have functioned admirably.
geo

[HWooldridge]

One practice I have to reduce variability a bit is to use the same bullet mold to check any alloy I make. I have a 45 LC mold that throws a large meplat pill, so it provides a nice flat surface to place the indenter. Consistency is good in most any type of measurement practice, so this is just one small habit.

[deces]

This should make reading measurements with the Lee kit very easy.
https://www.thereloadersnetwork.com/...ness-test-kit/

After posting this I decided to pull the trigger on the kit. I got tired of holding my breath and turning blue trying to read the Lee scope by hand. The kit came in today and it in practice is amazing! Lee needs to offer an injection molded version.

[uscra112]

One practice I have to reduce variability a bit is to use the same bullet mold to check any alloy I make. I have a 45 LC mold that throws a large meplat pill, so it provides a nice flat surface to place the indenter. Consistency is good in most any type of measurement practice, so this is just one small habit.

I do that, too. Bored out an old mould to make a flat-ended cylinder that fits easily into the SAECO. Cast a few of those at the beginning and end of each session. They stay with each batch of bullets that I care about, for future reference.

In the aerospace business these are called "coupons". I've also required test samples to be poured into a 6" Sonotube when managing critical concrete projects. Keeps the contractors honest.

Also, I turned a couple of cups that hold smaller bullets, to keep them straight in the SAECO.

And I use a jewelers' loupe to read it, rather than the naked eyeball.