Accurately testing HRC Rockwell Hardness affordably?

[mgysgthath]

The only way I've seen so far is a set of files that will "cut" at certain hardnesses, they were semi expensive, a hundred or two. How are you guys testing for hardness after heat treat? If it's expensive for equipment, so be it, I am just looking for any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[james terrio]

I don't know of any serious maker who really trusts those file sets. There's just too much human error possible.

The standard answer is to look for a local machine or tool/die shop with a Rockwell tester calibrated to the range you like, and see if they'll do it for coffee/donuts or a small fee. Other than that, I guess it depends on what you can afford. I've heard that you can get by with a mid-grade tester if you spring for really high-quality calibration blocks to set it up.

I currently have all my HT done by Peters' and they Rc each blade as part of their service. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

 

[Salem Straub]

Some guys I know of use this one:

http://grizzly.com/products/Hardness-Tester/G9645

It's cheap as far as Rc testers go, yet works well as far as I've heard.

Ray Rogers also has a tutorial about how to build your own Rockwell tester at his site. He also owns a Grizzly tester.

 

[kc custom]

I've got the exact tester Salem refers to above and couldn't be happier with it. Beside my test blocks
every once in a while I have Brad at peters do a check on a random piece. Its never been over a half point
different.
Ken.