Hrc Rockwell tester- What do you guys use ?

[Guirotin]

Hi !
Everything is in the title:
How do you guys perform your hrc rockwell measurements :
Do you have machines or do you sub-contract those tests ? If you have machines, which one ? (so i can try to find one)
Do you perform it on every knife you make ?

Cheers !

 

[Bensbites]

I looked at used machines ant the options were broken ones for $200 with mining parts 2 hrs away. I purchased a new grizzly tester for $1100. I now have confidence in every blade I heat treat and test.

If I had to do it again, maybe I would have tried the broken machine route.

As long as you have a standard, and get decent results, it doesn’t matter what machine you use.

 

[PolishAvenger]

If you keep your eyes open, sometimes you get lucky. Craigslist bestowed this little gem upon me for the princely sum of $400. Works great after cleaning the cylinder and gets used on each and every blade I make. I've even used it, when possible, on manufactured knives just to test where the heat treat was at the factory.
Whatever you pick up, make sure to get the most accurate standard you can find, so you can have peace of mind.

-Mark

 

[HSC /// Knives]

In the USA I had a Goko Seiki. I was lucky. Got it barely used from the machine shop I worked at. Their original purchase

Now I have a Hoytom ,
Made in spain

 

[Guirotin]

Thanks very much for your answers !
I'll try to find something in my country !

Testing a blade will make a tiny hole no ? So you do it before the final grinding ?

 

[Bensbites]

Thanks very much for your answers !
I'll try to find something in my country !

Testing a blade will make a tiny hole no ? So you do it before the final grinding ?

It makes a dimple. I test on tangs that will be covered or more importantly cutting edges before grinding.

 

[Guirotin]

Thats what i thought, thanks !

 

[Troopah_Knives]

I've got an older tester from (I think) the original run that was used by a USAF machine shop. A bit of TLC, a few new parts, and a certified indenter later and reads as accurately as any of the testers we've got in the labs. The old testers if properly maintained are excellent.

 

[Illyria]

I use a grizzly tester. Had a few used testers available locally, but decided to be lazy and not restore one, haha.

 

[Dr. Knives]

I use a HR-150A

 

[Guirotin]

Thanks guys !
And do you find it useful ? I mean, is it worth the investment ?

 

[Dr. Knives]

100% useful. Otherwise you’re flying completely blind. You’re still flying semi-blind with only a hardness tester, but it’s better than inputting numbers into a kiln and praying. But in the end you work with what you’ve got, and heat treatment is only one part of a good knife. Not the end of the world if heat treatment is suboptimal

 

[Bensbites]

Thanks guys !
And do you find it useful ? I mean, is it worth the investment ?

110% worth the piece of mind. I can ensure my Heat treat is spot on and ensure a customer that I got it right.

 

[gc0220]

Anyone bought one of the units they're selling on alibaba? They look legit to me, but I wouldn't roll the dice on a grand to find out.

Here's one:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.0.0.431973cdzMhpxh
Here's one that supports multiple tests:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...rlist.normal_offer.d_title.431973cdzMhpxh&s=p

 

[TRPV4]

That's fine, just make sure to calibrate it

 

[Bensbites]

Anyone bought one of the units they're selling on alibaba? They look legit to me, but I wouldn't roll the dice on a grand to find out.

Here's one:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.0.0.431973cdzMhpxh
Here's one that supports multiple tests:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...rlist.normal_offer.d_title.431973cdzMhpxh&s=p

I wouldn’t have done it on my first one. Now that I have a better feel for hardness testers I would be more likely to gamble on Ali express or used.

 

[Guirotin]

Anyone has any feedback on those testers, that converts leeb to hrc ?
I dont really have place in my workshop for a big table hrc tester. I suppose that on a single value that they are less reliable, but if you do 10 measures (or more) all along the blade, dont you think the average value would be good enough for a precise value (+/-1hrc) ?

https://www.kern.swiss/de/messgeraete/haertepruefgeraete/haertepruefung-von-metallen-leeb/kern-hn-d
And

https://www.tosag.ch/Mobiles-Leeb-Haertepruefgeraet_3
Cheers

 

[PolishAvenger]

No experience with Leeb portables, but here's an interesting read. Pretty finicky stuff for my taste.

https://leebhardnesstesters.com/reference/leeb-testing-factors

 

[Troopah_Knives]

Anyone has any feedback on those testers, that converts leeb to hrc ?
I dont really have place in my workshop for a big table hrc tester. I suppose that on a single value that they are less reliable, but if you do 10 measures (or more) all along the blade, dont you think the average value would be good enough for a precise value (+/-1hrc) ?

https://www.kern.swiss/de/messgeraete/haertepruefgeraete/haertepruefung-von-metallen-leeb/kern-hn-d
And

https://www.tosag.ch/Mobiles-Leeb-Haertepruefgeraet_3
Cheers

Unfortunately not really. These sorts of testers are sensitive to thin light samples (like knives) as well as (I think) magnetism, and vibrations. I doubt the measurements for knives (especially if they are ground) would lack both precision and accuracy.

you may have better luck with something like this although I cannot vouch for the accuracy of these as I have never used one. I highly recommend doing some research as it may be a good solution to your situation.

 

[Guirotin]

Thanks for these !

Unfortunately not really. These sorts of testers are sensitive to thin light samples (like knives) as well as (I think) magnetism, and vibrations. I doubt the measurements for knives (especially if they are ground) would lack both precision and accuracy.

you may have better luck with something like this although I cannot vouch for the accuracy of these as I have never used one. I highly recommend doing some research as it may be a good solution to your situation.

Can you repost the link please, it is a google search that leads me to leeb testers...

 

[chefcomesback]

Rockwell tester