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Lead Hardness Tester
- Thread starter Piper1410
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Excellent idea and fabrication. I often make tools/jugs, etc., even when there are easier remedies, just because I can and I just wanna. But I did 2 things to make my use of the Lee "microscope" easier. First I drilled/reamed a Lee sizing die to snugly hold the 'scope and used it in my single stage "C" press. Still kind of uncomfortable to use so I now use a dial caliper while wearing my magnifying visor to measure the dent...
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Lead Tester-LDTSTR
Cabin Tree made an excellent lead tester that is now being made and sold by Desperado Bullets for future interest in one. I rind it far easier to read a numbered scale than measure dents.
Cabin Tree made an excellent lead tester that is now being made and sold by Desperado Bullets for future interest in one. I rind it far easier to read a numbered scale than measure dents.
oddshooter
Member
I bought a box of a dozen lead pencils with different hardness on each pencil.
I try to draw a line on the lead ingot. If it carves a mark, it is harder than the ingot. If it doesn't draw a mark, it is softer.
It takes seconds to determine my bullet hardness.
Cheap and simple; and it works.
Prescut
I try to draw a line on the lead ingot. If it carves a mark, it is harder than the ingot. If it doesn't draw a mark, it is softer.
It takes seconds to determine my bullet hardness.
Cheap and simple; and it works.
Prescut
So you know the Brinell hardness number for the pencils? Lead pencils do not contain any lead as far as I know??
It's a fairly common method of testing hardness. Here's a link to one explanation of the method. Checking Lead Hardness With Drawing Pencils
What product did you use for the stand? Is it expensive like some of the casting resins?
DeplorabusUnum
Member
Nice tool. I've thought about building something similar. Currently I just put the bullet in the vice and brace the hand holding the Lee scope against the vice. To me the biggest flaw in the Lee tester is that the scale is black which makes it extremely hard to read against the backdrop of a dark gray dent in the bullet. It the scale was white or optic yellow, it would be so much easier to use.
OP
Piper1410
Member
It was a very inexpensive product I purchased on Amazon. An 8 oz two part apoxy resin kit that cost about $20
I use the Lee tester. Yes, it can be a pain to use. I would like to find a mold that casts a square piece of lead, in a manner as bullets are cast, that has flats large enough to steady the microscope. Don't like all the filing down that is needed to get a good measuring flat, even with larger 45 or 50 caliber bullets.
John
John
rockquarry
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I've used an LBT tester for more than thirty years. Easy to use with fast, direct readouts. It costs more than some other testers, but if you check hardness on a regular basis, the convenience makes it well worth the price.
FREE STAND!
I think the evolution of my Lee Lead Hardness Tester system has peaked!
A flea market find the other day- $8.00 for a vintage cast iron/brass/steel Baush & Lomb microsope, a few rubber stoppers and a little tinkering.
My first set up was just a chunk of scrap 4x4 post.
Then I found a toy microscope. It was a lot better than the block of wood, but it was still a bit sketchy on adjusting the little scope. But it works.
(Sorry for the sideways pics)
I think the evolution of my Lee Lead Hardness Tester system has peaked!
A flea market find the other day- $8.00 for a vintage cast iron/brass/steel Baush & Lomb microsope, a few rubber stoppers and a little tinkering.
My first set up was just a chunk of scrap 4x4 post.
Then I found a toy microscope. It was a lot better than the block of wood, but it was still a bit sketchy on adjusting the little scope. But it works.
(Sorry for the sideways pics)
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