Rockwell Tester Instructions

Rockwell Hardness Tester Instructions

Not sure if you’re using your Ames Portable Rockwell Hardness Tester correctly? Watch this short video tutorial for a demonstration.

Which Rockwell Scale Should I Use with My Ames Hardness Tester?

Your Ames Hardness Tester is more versatile than you might think at first glance. You can swap out a variety of useful penetrators, and with the multiple barrel dials (on standard models) your ability to use your Ames Hardness Tester across multiple Rockwell Scales is virtually limitless!

Below you’ll find recommendations for which Rockwell Scale to use depending on the material you’re testing for hardness, and which penetrator, major load, and barrel to use.

Select Your Ames Rockwell Tester Type

Standard Rockwell Tester

Superficial Rockwell Tester

Select the material you'd like to test for hardness:

Select Rockwell Scale:

Note: Ames superficial testers will only have ONE row on the Barrel Dial.

Rockwell Scale Conversion Chart

Download our handy Ames conversion chart to convert your Rockwell readings to Brinell and to determine which scale to test in

Comparison Gage Chart

Gage Number	Thickness in decimals
8	.171
10	.140
12	.109
14	.078
16	.062
18	.050
20	.037
22	.031

View Our Thickness Chart Click Here