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  #1  
Old 11-29-2011, 06:59 PM
TAXMAN6 TAXMAN6 is offline
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Default Lead hardness

I have been melting lead weights into muffin ingots. Then remelt in my Pro 4 Lee melting pot. I would like to invest in a lead hardness test kit. The Lee kit looks interesting, any input would be appreciated as to brand, ease of use, accuracy or anyother tidbit you would like to mention. I beleive in doing it right the first time, because we rarely have the time or resources to do it over again. Thanks guys.
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Old 11-29-2011, 07:30 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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I have one, wish I didn't. Looking through that little microscope is a PAIN!

Get one that reads out on a dial, like the LBT one.
Here: Lead Bullets Technology
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Old 11-29-2011, 08:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smith crazy View Post
I have one, wish I didn't. Looking through that little microscope is a PAIN!

Get one that reads out on a dial, like the LBT one.
Here: Lead Bullets Technology
I thought you just bit them?
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Old 11-29-2011, 11:12 PM
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There are fairly inexpensive microscopes that put your images on the computer screen for easy measurement. I just use a "helping hands" from Harbor Freight to hold the microscope for easier measurements.



I also use the nose of the bullet for the site of measurement. What way there isn't any work hardening from filing or cutting sprues.

Here's a better picture of what I have set up/


Last edited by Paul5388; 11-29-2011 at 11:18 PM.
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Old 12-01-2011, 04:20 AM
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I have a CabinTreem easy to use, very repeatable & you can do ingots as well. I had a Saeco, worked fine but could only do bullets. The Lee, like most of their stufff, it works, but just a PITA to use.
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Old 12-01-2011, 10:19 AM
mtgianni mtgianni is offline
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Second on the Cabintree being easy to use and repeatable results.
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Old 12-01-2011, 04:25 PM
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I built a home made "Sliding weight impact tester". I saw plans somewhere online. It must be used with a known alloy/hardness (Linotype, lyman #2, and pure lead) and makes an impact crater. The larger the crater, the softer the alloy. Not very accurate, but it works.
A much simpler method I use is to take 2 known alloys and knock the edges together. The harder one will cut into the softer one. Too soft and ya add more hard alloy. Too hard add more soft alloy. Has worked for me for 20+ years.
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Old 12-01-2011, 06:04 PM
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Count me as #3 for the Cabin Tree tester.

Very convenient to be able to test both slugs and INGOTS.

FN in MT
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Old 12-01-2011, 09:40 PM
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Obviously the Lee Tester will do ingots too, since that's what I was testing in the picture above.
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