A look back in time with Ames Portable Hardness Testers
Ames Precision Machine Works Inc. was originally formed in Needham Massachusetts in 1946. The promotion below is from the company in 1954.
Electro Arc purchased the Ames Portable Hardness Tester line in 1975.
We have compiled old Ames Promotions in order of their release year below
Please note, the location and contact information on these vintage brochures is not correct.
Ames 1954 Promotion:
Ames released the Model ST portable Hardness Tester in 1977
The model 1-ST superficial portable hardness tester was specifically for testing the hardness of tubes. This was the first new release from Ames Testers as an Electro Arc product.
Although these are older promotions, you will find that the information contained in them is just as relevant now as it was when these were printed. The Rockwell hardness testing charts provide you with the same values you will find on our new charts.
Do You Need Help Using our Rockwell-Brinell Conversion Table?
It wasn’t until 2000 that Electro Arc stopped selling Ames Portable Hardness Testers in their wood case. The case was then upgraded to the current high-impact plastic case it is sold in now. To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Electro Arc, the Model 1 Hardness tester is available in a limited quantity of the original wood cases.
The model 16 portable hardness tester was the last new edition to the Ames portable hardness tester line. Previously referred to as the model 36 because of its 36-inch chain, this tester is capable of measuring up to 16 inches in diameter.
In 1975 Ames introduced the Model 8 Hardness Tester.
Ames 1990s Promotion:
Ames Digital Testers were offered for a limited time
A special method for using Ames testers to test the hardness of clutch plates was developed in the Racing industry. This is a non-traditional form using Ames testers which was proven to be successful in the application.
Electro Arc’s longest-standing employee Doug Peterson Built and repaired Ames testers for 42 years before retiring this year. Seen below he is demonstrating the Ames model ST portable hardness tester and its application of tube testing.
