Get an Accurate Reading With Ames Rockwell Hardness Test Blocks

Get an Accurate Reading With Ames Rockwell Hardness Test Blocks

To ensure your Rockwell metal hardness tester is performing at it’s highest efficiency you should perform accuracy checks regularly.

You can purchase standard or superficial test blocks in:

  • Brass

  • Hard Steel

  • Soft Steel

You can also request a specially calibrated test block. Ames offers the best quality hardness test block selection.  Every Ames test block comes with a certificate of calibration.

Our test blocks are manufactured to meet the highest standards including automotive and aerospace standards.  When you Match specific blocks to a specific penetrator, a set relationship is established, and they can be eliminated as potential variables in the hardness test system. When an issue comes up our blocks help you quickly and accurately determine whether your Rockwell hardness tester is the source. Each block has been calibrated on a tester whose accuracy has been verified using ASTM and N.I.S.T. traceable load and depth measuring devices. The individual test blocks are marked with their own unique serial number.  More information available upon request.

 

How To Use A Rockwell Portable Hardness Tester

Using An Ames Portable Metal Hardness Tester

Find more helpful videos on our youtube channel. Below is a transcript of the above video.  If you have any questions or need more information on our portable Rockwell testers than contact us here.

We’re going to be testing a customer’s sample piece on her Model 1 a standard Ames portable hardness tester.  The purpose of this demonstration is to show you just how easy it is to operate the tester as a sample piece or using a small clip. It is a hard material spring-type steel.  I’m using a diamond penetrator for the flat Anvil.   I’m going to be measuring in the C scale which requires a 10-kg minor load and I’ve got a  150 kg major load.  First thing I want to do is initialize the Dow indicator Itself by rotating the setting of the stylus of the indicator. Next we’re going to trap the part between the Anvil and the penetrator and I’m going to establish my 10 kg. load. Simply do that by rotating the handwheel and the pin correctly. Next we want to establish the zeo point on the tester itself. To do that we  rotate barrel down and rest the pin directly on the magnifer. Next we will rotate the handwheel to 150. Once that is set, reverse the handwheel back to the set point. What you see is the C scale numbers in black and B scale numbers in red. We are looking at the C scale.  You can see the line underneath the number 40 there’s a thick line and then off on the left hand side there’s little hash marks each one of those small hash marks is 2 points.  The large broad line underneath the number itself is the whole number or in this case 40.  You can see it set up in 10 point increments.  So what we’re looking at is 40 which is the black line underneath the 40 and then we’re sitting right between the broad and hash mark which makes it a 41.  We want to thank you for your attention should you have questions please feel free to contact us by email telephone.

Below are a few videos featuring tips on how to use a Portable Ames Rockwell Hardness Tester. Make sure  to tighten extensions, penetrator and anvil. Also make sure the gage is set to the dot. When used correctly our metal  hardness testers are reliable for testing metals and plastics.

If you should have any questions on our portable hardness testers please contact us here.

The first thing we are going to do is, with no load applied we want to lift this needle and make sure it’s below that set mark and pointed right at the dot. The next thing we’re going to do is just make sure all our components are tight so starting with the anvil, the extension and the anvil adapter and finally our penetrator, just make sure all of those are finger tight.

Is your Ames Hardness tester genuine?

How to tell if your Tester is a Genuine Ames Hardness Tester

Ames began making Ames Portable Rockwell Hardness Testers in 1947.  In 1975 Ames was acquired by Electro Arc.  The Ames line of portable hardness testers has been made in Michigan since.

In 1997 it came to the attention of the Electro Arc company that each of it’s testers had been purchased by a company in China and duplicated.  Now Chinese copies of Ames Portable Hardness testers are available online, bearing a striking resembelance to the handcrafted testers we manufacture everyday.  Each of our testers are built one at a time following the ASTM E110 standard for the Rockwell scale.  Each genuine Ames Hardness tester is individually calibrated to the Rockwell scales and bears a signed certificate with each tester.

Is your Ames Hardness tester genuine?

How can you tell if your Ames Portable Hardness Tester is genuine?

  • It bears the Ames symbol within the dial indicator
  • You bought it directly from Amesportablehardnesstesters.com
  • Call us with the model number located on the front of your tester – we keep records of every tester we sell
  • Check the documentation included with your tester

How important is metal hardness testing? Consider the information provided by hardness testing and its significance in structural (i.e. bridges), aerospace, automotive, quality control, failure analysis and many other forms of manufacturing and industry. Determining material properties provides valuable insight to the durability, strength, flexibility and capabilities of a variety of component types from raw materials to finished goods.

Hardness testing is used extensively to characterize materials and to determine if they are suitable for their intended use. Why then would you buy a Chinese copy of a hardness tester?

  •  When quality is critical, should you trust a counterfeit hardness tester?
  •  Can it be calibrated?
  •  Will it hold up?
  •  Can it be serviced?
  •  Does it really meet the ASTM standard?

Ames Hardness Testers can be repaired and calibrated at our facility in Dexter Michigan.  We also service Dell models.  We do not offer service for any other brands.  When considering a purchase of a Rockwell Hardness Tester to insure quality, you should consider its quality, repeat-ability and reliability.

7 Things you Should and Should Not Do When Caring For Your Rockwell Tester

Your Ames portable hardness tester is a precious instrument.  As with any tool, proper care and maintenance is essential to maintain accurate testing results.  Remember, annual calibration is essential to properly maintaining your teseter.  Our metal hardness testers and accessories are machined, assembled and calibrated in our facility located in Dexter Michigan.

Ames Portable Hardness Testers are Made in Michigan

We have compiled the following list of do’s and don’ts to protect your hardness testing machine and keep it in the best working order.

7 Things You Should Do to Properly Care for your Ames Portable Tester:

  • Spray WD- 40 on a soft towel to clean your tester and test blocks
  • Make sure the Penetrator, extensions, and anvils are tightly secured
  • Store your test blocks in the plastic bag that is provided
  • Store your Rockwell tester in a safe location
  • Send your tester back for a yearly cleaning and re-calibration (if needed)
  • Only use the appropriate anvil for the application.
  • Perform regular tests on your Ames Tester to ensure accuracy
    Ames 4-4 portable hardness tester with manual

7 Things you Should Not Do to Your Ames Portable Tester:

  • Never apply oil directly on the tester
  • Do not drop or bang your tester
  • Never exceed major loads
  • Never use both sides of the test blocks. (one side only)
  • Do not retract the spindle past the threads of the penetrator
  • Never bang the tip of the diamond into the part or test block
  • Do not over or under shoot the minor or major loads

Your Ames Portable Hardness Tester is guaranteed to last for years if you follow these recommendations.  Be sure to follow the directions in the manual included with your tester.  Store your tester and testing blocks in the case provided when it is not in use.  As recommended by ASTM, perform regular accuracy checks to your tester to ensure the readings are accurate.

This blog was updated on December 14, 2021