New Toy

[silver_pilate]

Well, I picked up a new toy from the post office today. I spotted it on ebay, and I won the auction with no other bids.

It's a used PTC 415C Rockwell C portable hardness tester. It's an older model (they had a redesign a few years back), and judging by the paperwork included, it's probably from the 80's. It's looks to have been used a good bit, based on the number of calibration tests on the two test blocks (42C and 61C), but it is in amazing condition with hardly a scratch to the black paint, and the diamond tipped indenter seems to be in perfect condition. It's basically the older model of THIS unit.

This unit is designed to set up in a drill press chuck, using the drill press feed rather than having its own stand. I chucked it up and did some tests to check it out. I had to adjust the bezel a bit when I first calibrated it, but now it seems to be reading within about 1 RC consistently on both test blocks.

The best part of the deal? The new model of this unit sells for $995 new. This one, albeit used and several years old, I picked up for a grand total of $195.

--nathan

 

[Edro20]

Sweet! Got any pics?

 

[silver_pilate]

Here's a picture of the actual (older) unit I have from what looks like a Chinese site:

When I get back out to the shop, I'll snap some pics and post 'em.

--nathan

 

[unky_gumbi]

Ha I was looking at that the other day, think there were a couple of them up, enjoy your find.

 

[Phantom Steelworks]

Nice score SP...them babies aint cheap....and well ya got one for just that.

Excellent grab!

45

 

[Jack O'Neill]

Nice score Nathan

 

[fitzo]

Nice find, Nathan! Helluva nice price.
Expect a short learning curve to get consistent values. Rigidity of the press and table play a factor, as well as your choice of "anvil" to set the blade flat on to test against. (I use a machinist's vise.)
While it will not give as narrow a range in multiple readings as a bench model, it is more than adequate and will serve you well for many years. It was '84 or '85 when I got mine and haven't had any problems with it.

 

[silver_pilate]

Good tip about using sturdy anvil under the work piece, Mike. As long as I secure the table set screw well, the drill press I'm using is pretty solid. I used a piece of 440C under the test block at first, but I found more consistency by actually placing the test block on the actual table. I need to pick around the shop and find a solid mass of steel to use under the test piece that is nice and stable on the table.

--nathan