Help needed getting my new (to me) Wilson Rockwell Tester working

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
Following the advice of Mr. Hanson (Thanks again Don) I bought a used tester off craigslist while I was in Maine. It is an old one but looks to be in good shape and I've been told that the weights alone were worth close to the asking price of 200$.





Weights. Need to clean those up a bit. I guess I don't want to be too aggressive there. I was thinking about the electrolytic derusting tank but that might be overkill. Maybe just some steel wool. As you see the small hook to hang the weights is missing. Anybody has a picture of what this is suppose to look like?



Also missing what I am guessing is a cotter pin of some sort. If any of you guys has a similar tester and feel like taking pics of what all my missing bits are suppose to look like I would be very grateful.



Made a temporary hook so I can see how it works.



I came with a testing disk. Lots of tests done on it think I might have to buy another (or 3) ones. :(
It also came with a point which looks to be in good shape as well as a V type anvil. I will need to find (or make) a flat one. Not sure if making one is a good idea.

I tried putting a piece or mild steel in there and tripping the lever but it doesn't do much. Guess the oil pot is the next thing I need to look at. There is some oil on the outside of it so I might have to replace the seals, that is if that is something I can do.

So as you can see, lots to do. I will continue to post pics and progress here.

If you guys had any input that would help me not mess this up too bad, that would be peachy.
 
I believe that I have the exact same tester. I will take some pic's after work and e-mail them to you.
 
Patrice check your e-mail. I also have the owners manual if you need it. I can scan and e-mail it tomorrow, I am having computer problems right now.
 
Looks good Pat! You really need to find a manual for it. I could not have got mine working and adjusted with out it.
 
Thanks Louis, I got the pictures, much appreciated. I hate to ask for more but the manual would be not only great but as Don said, probably essential.
 
Ok, printed the manual (thanks again Louis) and went to work trying to get this thing working properly.

First thing that was not working properly was the oil pot. Dissasembleled it, drained the oil, cleaned everything and refilled it with oil. It now works much smoother although I can not get it to compress in the recommended 4-5 seconds, more like 1-2 seconds, even with adjusting the needle valve.



Also took the elevating screw apart and cleaned the rust off with some fine steel wool. Re-lubed everything and it is now working much smoother.



I then used the calibrating piece of steel included with the machine. It says 37.1 RC ±10 on it. Well I get 88 RC when I test it. Did it 3 times and it's pretty consistent at 88 RC. Tried adjusting the index lever as suggested in the manual but still the same reading. Now the other suggestion they have is to take apart and clean the head.

Should I do that or just adjust the dial to compensate for the difference when I test a piece?
 
What does your testing block look like? I m sure it's a flat piece of metal and if so you shouldn't use that V holder. Your going to need to make a flat holder for it. Also 37 +\- 10? That's a big spread. Most I have felt with are +\- 1.....is that a typo?
 
Are you sure you are using it right? It's a strange sequence setting the pre-load and applying the major load. You have to have the small dial in the right place and large dial straight up when applying pre-load. Then zero dial and apply major load. When dial stops, remove major load then read dial. It's very hard to put all that in words that one can understand...

Cleaning the head; I had to take the leaver that moves the gauge apart and clean/free up it's pivot area.

Need to get the oil pot working better to slow down the weight.

Like said, you need a flat anvil.
 
Don Hanson III said:
...remove major load then read dial.
Click to expand...

How the heck did I miss that part.:o:o I was reading with major load still on. :o:o

Tried again and got a reading of RC 40.2. Definitely on the right track. First I will see about making a flat anvil until I can find one and see how that affects reading before doing anything else. Not sure how I can slow down the pot some more since the needle valve is at the maximum. Cleaning the head I can try, part by part to see if it helps.

Here is a close-up of the indenter.



Again, I can't thank you guys enough for all your help. :thumbup:
 
Pat, there my be some type of packing, O-ring or something in the oil pot? Or try a heavier oil.

The diamond point looks fine.

Rockwell anvils usually on ebay.
 
No seal that I could see Don but I'll take a closer look.

I may try to make an anvil myself. The ones I saw on ebay were a little expensive for the amount of money left in the "Hobby" account which now reads 0$. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top