Hardness Tester: Opinions Wanted

M

Marc Cooper

Joined
Apr 7, 2019
Messages
60
Hey All

I am thinking of purchasing a Rockwell Hardness Tester to test my blades. (More of a curiosity thing, as I don't really make blades for profit.) I'm just very interested in the overall harness I am achieving.

I have been looking at a Rockwell Type Hardness Tester Type HR150A. Pics and specs are attached at the bottom.

From what I've read, this seems to be a pretty good Tester. (Just need to get it set up and calibrated correctly.)

Any thoughts on whether this is a good Tester? Any input is appreciated.


 
I have the Grizzly model of this...my recommendation would be to get it from a well known vendor, and maybe not one of the many eBayor offshore sellers....in the event there is something wrong with it and you need to return it. I am happy with it and given my need and budget, I would buy it again. I mistakenly thought that I could put a piece of metal on the anvil and pull the lever and get a nuts on scientific reading of 62.983635Rc, not the case, there is a learning curve to getting consistent results, mostly with the preparation of the metal to be tested. My unit was pretty accurate and tested within spec with the three test pucks provided.

iy2dQ6C.jpg
 
Carterwhopkins said:
I have the Grizzly model of this...my recommendation would be to get it from a well known vendor, and maybe not one of the many eBayor offshore sellers....in the event there is something wrong with it and you need to return it. I am happy with it and given my need and budget, I would buy it again. I mistakenly thought that I could put a piece of metal on the anvil and pull the lever and get a nuts on scientific reading of 62.983635Rc, not the case, there is a learning curve to getting consistent results, mostly with the preparation of the metal to be tested. My unit was pretty accurate and tested within spec with the three test pucks provided.

iy2dQ6C.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm a huge fan of Grizzly Products. Didn't even know they made one!

Is this the same model? I might call for a shipping quote on Monday.

Thanks!

https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-Hardness-Tester/G9645
 
Just a warning, the instructions for all these machines are horrible. I have an Accu Pro and it appears to be identical to the Grizzly, including the poorly translated instructions.
 
J. Hoffman said:
Just a warning, the instructions for all these machines are horrible. I have an Accu Pro and it appears to be identical to the Grizzly, including the poorly translated instructions.
Click to expand...

How did you learn to use it? Any good resources you could point me to?
 
There are some YouTube videos, biggest thing is to sand the areas to be tested to like a 120 grit, and test multiple places on the blade.
The basic steps are to place the blade on the anvil, turn the bottom of the post (where the 4 chrome handles are) to pre-load (or tension) the tester, you turn that post until the indicator on the little dial reaches the red dot, then rotate the bezel on the big dial to line up the "C" scale with the main indicator needle...then you pull the front lever on the right side of the tester and wait for the back lever to rotate forward and for the indicator on the large dial to stop moving, then slowly push the back lever on the right of the machine back and the large needle will rotate and stop at the appropriate hardness level.

This same basic machine is marketed by many companies...again, I went with Grizzly in the event I had a problem. It weighs about 200lbs and is shipped in a crate, think the shipping was a little extra for residential lift gate service. You will need a helper and a sturdy place to mount it.
 
I have the Grizzly as well. It is a good machine but the instructions suck eggs as has been mentioned. It takes a little care to calibrate it yourself but easy enough once you know what you're doing. Set it up someplace solid that won't get jostled. Follow the set up instructions the best you can and clean the anvil surface of any shipping grease etc. These are the basic operating steps:

1. Start with large handle toward back
2. Clean test piece well and place on anvil
3. Raise anvil until test piece contacts indenter
4. Slowly raise anvil until small needle on dial meets red dot (three turns of the large needle)
5. Turn dial to match large needle
6. Pull small handle forward
7. Wait for large needle and large handle to settle
8. Push large handle towards back for final reading
 
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