Does anyone have links for a Rockwell Teater?

blgoode

blgoode

Joined
Oct 3, 2003
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I am looking into a Rockwell tester. I need links to compair whats I can afford and I am not finding too much.
Thanks
 
I think Ray Rogers has plans for a make-your-own hardness tester, Brian. As best I recall, the plans aren't too much, and there's not too much in the way of material costs. - Jim
 
True as I had also found Brian. The important thing I believe to be understood in the beginning is the theory of operation. Basically, and for our steels a diamond indentor is used, a minor load is placed upon the test surface, the instrument then referenced to the depth of that minor load and then a major load placed upon the test piece, then the load is returned to the minor load amount and depth of penetration read and equated into hardness - for our need the Rockwell C scale.

I will go to my notes and provide a link that may help (if I can find it in good time).

I have bought so far three Rockwell hardness testers off Ebay, all with good luck. All mine have been portables and I have no experience with bench models except from my visits to Douglass Barrel who is only about 2 miles distance (He-He-He). You can get a new import bench tester for the 700 dollar range and if I had space for one I would not be afraid of it. They seem to have a track record of consistant sales which tells me there is a degree of satisfaction.

Regardless you will want a couple test blocks. They are certified reference pieces you use to check and calibrate your tester against. Plus or minus about 1/2 Rockwell point is a normal tolerance to expect.

RL
 
I dont see how you could make a homemade on work properly unless you had a standard to go by

In other words, you need a REALLY good Hardness tester available to check your results.

Paul Bos has one that is REALLY expensive. :confused:
 
you guys are the best. I'll look over all the info. There is a wilton (I think??) used and I dont know the modle in a trade paper for 500 bucks. I'll have to see if they still have it. I hate spending money but even worse I hate to miss out on a deal and pay more later!

Thanks again for the help ;)
 
Brian, when I brought this up last year there was a pretty good discussion so you might search for that thread. Kevin Cashen mentioned that he used one of the offshore models and had found it to work just fine. It is sold by Enco, Grizzly and probably a few others. I have even seen them on e-Bay. There is a Grizzly outlet here so I did not have to pay shipping by purchasing locally. My tester has worked well. You will want to purchase some quality test blocks from a known source, such as Wilson.
 
Brian, be sure all the pieces to it are there. If you have to go shopping for missing equipment you're stuck with putting out more and more frustration.
 
Buying a used bench tester is scary. I almost bought a really sweet Japanese model (very expensive originally). There was a part missing. I asked around and around - the owner didn't know what it was. Found an MS that uses that same kind. Turns out it was a hydraulic shock absorber. Very expensive and hard to find part.

Plus they need calibration.

The portable ones are pretty simple, mechanically. Mine just needed a little tweek on a spring. But the bench models are quite complex. Personally, I'd buy new from ENCO or something with a warranty. Not saying you can't find a good working model off ebay. It's just scary.

Steve
 
and I will vouch from experience that Enco is solid about backing up their stuff. If I was to buy a bench tester Enco would be amoung the first I would check on. Just guessing and not checking their site or cataloge I would guess about 700 bucks and then the shipping costs ( www.use-enco.com ).

RL
 
thanks again guys. looks like I have reading to do ;)
I'll look over Enco firts.

Edited to add: Enco's is backordered and 800 bucks. looks like a beefy unit!
 
Brian, also check Victor (800-723-5359) http://www.victornet.com . They were carrying a bench machine for about 6 or 7 hundred bucks. Don't know if they still do or not.

As Tracy warns, don't be buying a tester that is not a Rockwell tester and specifically for testing the Rockwell C scale. It is the Rockwell C scale you will be referencing your blade hardness to and the tester must be able to test Rockwell C scale. You will see such things as various ball indentors. Those are not for C scale testing. Your indentor will be diamond point. However, if your tester can test Rockwell C it will likely be able to test other scales as well, those that use other type indentors.

RL
 
Just to clarify, both vendors, along with several others, sell exactly the same tester. Enco wants $120 more than Grizzly.
 
Pay close attention to what Roger is saying about "C" scale. You gotta ask that question no matter what, or you'll wind up with a "Superficial" tester or some such.
 
Pay close attention to what Gene said about what Roger said. Some used machines will measure the "C" scale, but don't include the diamond penetrator to do it. That'll tack on a few hundered dollars.

Steve
 
Hey Fox, great point. I forgot about Grizzly. Check that one out too Brian. I believe they only recently added that to their cataloge. Grizzly is a great company to deal with too, I believe.

Pay close attention to what Steve said about what Gene said about what Roger said. That is a fact. Buy a used tester without all the essential components and you're hurt'n fer sure. :D (truth be known Steve can make one)

RL
 
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