Tag: Ames tester

Rockwell Hardness Testers

Using Ames Testers in Hobby applications

Sep 21, 2023 by Carrin Harris 0 Comments #Ames portable hardness tester, #Ames portable hardness testing, #Ames rockwell hardness tester, #Ames tester, #rockwell testers

Why Hobbyists Prefer Ames Testers

The Ames Portable Hardness Tester is a device used to measure the hardness of metals and alloys. While it is primarily used in industrial settings for quality control and material testing, there are also hobby applications for this tool. As we discussed in a previous blog, Ames portable testers are popular among knife makers.  Even the old testers are used because they are looking for a ballpark hardness in their trade.

Forging Martial Arts and Hunting Bladed Tools

hardness tester for lawnmower picture

The smithing forums tend to get mentions of Ames portable hardness testers as a reliable tool for the trade.  In the Blade Smiths Forum, ‘JenniferP’ ported about her Ames tester, stating it provides more accurate results than the Accu-test HRc tester.  Many members commented that they had old testers, but they are no longer eligible for calibration. Just a reminder, we may be able to repair and calibrate your old tester but without certification.  The reason for this is the fatigue on the frame makes the instrument unreliable.  It may leave our factory calibrated, but arrive to you not testing accurately.  While exact results are not always the goal of a Hobby Knifemaker, precision is a promise our company stands by.  Accuracy may be a critical point, especially for small thin pieces.  As mentioned on BladeMag, the correct hardness will guarantee superior strength in a blade.  The hardness test gives you an idea of the flex strength and confirms that the knife’s edge will hold.  Although many testers have been used by knife makers, testing with a Rockwell hardness tester provides the most reliable results.

In another forum for Hobby machinists, a member finds an old hardness tester and asks “How can this tool benefit my Hobby” to which other members answer, that this instrument is helpful for anyone heat-treating steel, and another member offers to take it off his hands.  Hobby applications in testing clutches for racing led to the development of a specific testing application which was developed outside of normal Ames tester capacity.  The Ames tester has value for any hobby application requiring a hardness test.

Some Examples of Hobbies that Ames Tester are Useful with:

  1. Metalworking: For hobbyists who enjoy working with metal, the Ames Portable Hardness Tester can be a useful tool for testing the hardness of different metals and alloys. This information can help guide decisions about which materials to use for specific projects, as well as provide a baseline for comparing the hardness of different materials.

  2. Jewelry making: In the world of jewelry making, the hardness of metals is an important factor in determining their durability and resistance to wear and tear. The Ames Portable Hardness Tester can be used to measure the hardness of different metals used in jewelry making, such as gold, silver, and platinum.

  3. Gunsmithing: For hobbyists who enjoy gunsmithing or working with firearms, the Ames Portable Hardness Tester can be a valuable tool for testing the hardness of gun parts and components. This information can help ensure that the parts are made from high-quality materials and are durable enough to withstand the rigors of use.

Rockwell Hardness Testers

Why Quality departments purchase Ames Testers

Apr 21, 2023 by Carrin Harris 0 Comments #Ames, #Ames portable hardness tester, #Ames portable tester, #Ames tester

Quality departments like yours depend on the precision of Ames portable testers. Ames testers are manufactured to follow the ASTM E-110 guidelines. These testers are lightweight and easy to use anywhere. You can count on the accuracy of readings within +/- 1 Rockwell point. Your penetrators, anvils, and test blocks are serialized and traceable to the NIST Standards. You can test inner diameter as well as outer diameter surfaces. This is made possible with our interchangeable penetrators and anvils. Ames testers provide you with the accuracy and repeatability you need. Depend on this instrument to provide you with quick results in every application.

New Tester Kits Contain Everything you Need

When you purchase a new tester, the Ames kit has all the accessories you need to use your tester. You will receive, one diamond and one 1/16” ball Penetrator, extensions, and one each flat and V anvils. Three test blocks are included so you can conduct regular accuracy checks with your tester. This kit is contained in a high-impact carrying case. You also receive the operator’s manual, and certificates of traceability.

Rockwell Scales provide Easy to Read Results

With the standard tester kit, you will be able to test the following Rockwell scales: A, B, C, D, F, G. With 1/8”, ¼”, and the ½” ball penetrators. You can use the same tester to test in the Rockwell scales; E, H, K, L, M, P, R, S, and V. All test results are read directly from the tester with no charts or conversion tables needed. You may also want to consider purchasing a bench stand with your Ames tester, this enables you to use both hands while testing material hardness.

Superficial Testers Allow you to Test Very Thin Materials

Ames superficial testers follow the same ASTM E-110 guidelines as our standard testers. With the lighter minor loads, the tester is able to read shallow case hardened parts, hard thin materials, cemented carbides, and plastics. This tester reads in Rockwell scales N, T, W, X, and Y. Take readings on materials as thin as .006″ with the superficial tester without damaging the material. Superficial testers leave a much smaller indent than the standard testers.

Rockwell Hardness Testers

Why Hardness Matters When Choosing Drill Bits

Mar 21, 2023 by Carrin Harris 0 Comments #Ames, #Ames tester, #drill bit hardness, #drill hardness, #testing drill bit hardness, #testing drill hardness

Knifemakers and Saw manufacturers are among the long-term customers of Ames Portable Hardness Testers. This makes sense because the hardness of your cutting instrument is an essential part of marketing your product. Drill bits are no different. The hardness of your drill bit tells a lot about the length of time you can count on the cutting power of your drill. One local manufacturer of drill bits compares the hardness of cobalt and carbide drill bits. This comparison references Rockwell hardness, showing that the hardness test provided the necessary information for customers like you considering purchasing drill bits.

Carbide Drill bit, disintegrated carbide drill bit

What is the Hardness of your drill Bit?

According to the Tech talk carbide drill bits are of 75 HRC while cobalt drill bits are only 65 HRC. This makes the difference when using the drill bit because they last longer, are more heat resistant, and can improve your cycle times. On the flip side, carbide drill bits are more expensive, are harder to resharpen, and may need to be replaced when it is blunt.

Removing broken drill bits is no fun. Electro Arc metal disintegrator owners have experience with removing both cobalt and carbide drill bits. You may have experienced delays in manufacturing and machine downtime, due to a broken drill bit stuck in an essential part. Knowing your drill hardness can help you avoid this situation.

What is the Role of Hardness in Removing broken Drill Bits?

You can use Ames portable hardness testers to test hardness in just minutes. These testers are convenient because they can be used in tight spaces, like on the production floor to ensure your parts are the correct hardness. You can also plan to remove broken drill bits when you need to by having the correct machine on hand to do so. Cobalt and carbide drill bits, knives, and saw blades all have different hardnesses, so they will be different to remove. Our AC machines can remove your high-speed steel but you will need a DC machine to remove broken carbide drill bits.

As you know, there are lots of ways to check material for hardness, the most recognized is Rockwell. A wide assortment of portable testers are available on the market. Most of them can be converted to some sort of varying Rockwell reading. Electro Arc Ames portable hardness tester has been recognized across industries as a reliable, easy-to-use, accurate tester.

Some portable testers require manpower to hold the tester perfectly aligned and with enough force to get a consistent reading. Most of these testers use a spring-loaded penetrator shaft. This is fine but, if conditions are not correct, (misalignment, clamping pressure, surface finish, or material density), the test will be inaccurate and repeatability will be nonexistent. Ames Portable Hardness Testers, require no electricity and have a zero carbon footprint. The sling shot configuration securely traps the specimen between the penetrator and anvil allowing positive contact for the minor and major loads to be applied.

Ames How To

Accurately Reading a Rockwell Portable Hardness Tester

Feb 21, 2023 by Ames Portable hardness testers 0 Comments #Ames, #ames hardness tester, #Ames portable hardness tester, #Ames tester, #how to use an Ames tester

When you get a new Ames tester, it is important to practice with it as you would with any other measuring instrument. Ames accuracy testing helps you ensure that your hardness tester is reading accurately. Using your test blocks to verify the correct readouts on your Ames tester ensures the tester is working as it should. Making sure you are reading your Ames tester accurately is also important. Frequently used scales on Standard hardness testers are A, B, C, and E in the Rockwell scale. Superficial scales that are frequently used include 15-N, 30-N, 45-N, 15-T, 30-T, and 45-T. Familiarize yourself with charts for these scales and practice testing in the scale you will be using most frequently.

Frequently Used Rockwell Scales

There are two basic types of penetrators that you will be using to conduct your hardness tests. The ball penetrator comes in 4 sizes, be sure to check your chart for the appropriate penetrator. For example, if you are testing a soft material, you will likely be testing in the “B” scale and will use a 1/16″ ball penetrator. Never use the ball penetrator with your steel test block or when testing hard steel, this will damage your penetrator and give invalid results. For testing harder materials, you will use a diamond penetrator. Diamond penetrators are available for either a standard or superficial tester, all one size. Using the diamond penetrator on a softer material can ruin your material. If you are testing a harder material you will likely test in Rockwell C with the diamond penetrator.

When you set up your tester, be sure to secure the penetrator and the appropriate anvil. Check the position of the indicator hand. The indicator should rest directly on the dot on the dial. When you apply the minor load, slowly turn the hand wheel until the indicator points to the line marked “set”. Next, you will rotate the top of the barrel dial toward you until the pin rests against the magnifier. If you are using a model 1-4, there is no pin and you will need to align visually. Your Ames manual contains these instructions.

When you apply the major load, turn the hand wheel until the pointer rests on the major load indicated by the chart. You need to be careful to bring the indicator exactly to the desired graduation on the dial. If penetration goes beyond the major load you will not receive a valid reading and will not be able to receive a valid reading on that penetration. You will need to choose a new test point and begin the test again.

When you turn the handwheel back and bring the pointer back to “set” you can take the reading through the magnifier. Each graduation indicates two points on the Rockwell scale. If you are using a standard tester with a ball penetrator, read the black numbers in column “B”. If you are using a diamond penetrator, read the black numbers in column “C”. You may notice the first two or three tests may be low until your penetrator and anvil are seated.

In addition to practice and accuracy testing, it is important that you have your hardness tester calibrated at our facility on an annual basis.

Rockwell Hardness Testers

Why you Need a Superficial Hardness Tester

Oct 21, 2022 by Carrin Harris 0 Comments #Ames, #Ames superficial hardness tester, #Ames tester, #choose Ames tester, #superficial hardness tester

Why choose a Superficial Hardness tester?

Superficial testers are designed to test very soft and very thin materials and are designed to leave minimal surface distortion.  The three reasons to choose an Ames Superficial hardness tester are, you are testing a very thin or soft material, standard superficial testers will destroy these materials or the test will show the hardness of the penetrator.  This test will leave a less noticeable mark on the material you are testing.  The superficial tester uses 15, 30, and 45 kg weight to measure rather than 60, 100, or 160 kg as with a standard hardness tester. 

Use the Rockwell “N” scale to test Hardened steels, case hardened steels, and hardened strip steels down to about.006″ thick, and when you need to keep the mark left behind by the tester to a minimum.  Use the Rockwell “T” scale to test soft steels, copper, and aluminum alloys.  You can use an additional ball penetrator to test in Rockwell “W”  for some hard thin material down to .006″ thick and cemented carbides.  Rockwell “X”  and “Y” scales are used for testing plastics.  The model 1-ST is designed to test small-diameter and thin-walled tubes.  Using Rockwell “15-T” to test tube materials like aluminum, thin steel, lead, iron, titanium, copper alloys, and cemented carbides.

Industries such as aerodynamics, steel plants, stamping manufacturers, electronics, appliances, and air conditioning part manufacturers use these superficial testers because their components are super soft and thin.

Superficial and standard hardness testers operate in the exact same way.    The major difference is the material tested and the  Rockwell scale you are testing in. You can purchase an Ames superficial tester in most of the same sizes as standard testers, with the exception of the model 8 and 16 testers, there is a like tester in the 4 main sizes of superficial testers:

Model 1-S and model 1 Ames testers are the same size.  They have an opening  1 inch wide and a depth of 1 inch, so they are ideal for testing smaller parts.

The model 2 and 2-s are the same size and have an opening of 2 inches with a depth of 2.115 inches. 

The model 1-4S and model 1-4 are the same sizes featuring an opening of 1 inch and a depth of 4 inches, great for longer, thin materials.

The model 4-4S and model 4-4 testers are the same size 4 inches wide and deep to allow you to test larger materials

Ames portable hardness testers collection

The only tester with no standard equivalent is the model 1-ST, a special tube hardness tester.

Ames How To

The Importance of Hardness Testing in Machine Shops, Freight Yards, Warehouses, Factories and Laboratories

Aug 22, 2022 by Carrin Harris 0 Comments #Ames portable hardness tester, #Ames rockwell hardness tester, #Ames tester, #measuring hardness, #measuring rockwell hardness, #Rockwell A scale, #rockwell hardness test, #Rockwell method, #rockwell scales, #Rockwell tester, #rockwell testers

Hardness testing of metals before and after heat-treating is a common practice in manufacturing establishments like yours. Tests are made of materials before machining begins; of tools that are used and to check hardness after heat-treating.

Sheets of metals are tested to make certain they are not too hard to cause breakage of valuable dies. Bars are tested to insure proper machining speeds and protection of turning tools. Heat-treated parts are checked to control hardness within established limits for better performance and longer wear.

Ames Portable Hardness Testers are ideal for these purposes since they can be taken to the material receiving departments, to machines where you are working, and to every place by inspectors during the entire manufacturing process. Being portable, they check the hardness of parts while in machines being fabricated, and also after being assembled into complete sets.

Ames testers are used to check parts being machined that work harden under certain conditions. You test the hardness of large shear blades and cutters in machines, to check if heat developed in the operation of machines has affected the hardened shafts and parts. A book could be written on the many applications that Ames testers have found.

Customers all over the world learned to expect the best in design workmanship and accuracy in Ames hardness testers. With great pride, Ames offers portable hardness testers to all who make tests in Rockwell hardness scales. They are precisely made, carefully tested for accuracy, and beautifully finished. Enthusiastic owners, like you, have told others about Ames portable hardness testers and the savings made on a variety of interesting applications.

Until Ames Portable Hardness Testers were made in the year 1947, it was thought that only large bench-type hardness testers with weights and levers would give accurate results. Many attempts at building portable hardness testers were made by others that were failures, and the large bench machines seemed like the only accurate dependable type.

Ames employed the principle of the ordinary micrometer a C frame with a screw to perfect a lightweight, accurate easy-to-use hardness tester. Incorporating a sensitive dial indicator and graduated barrel dial, readings are taken directly in the Rockwell scales with no calculating or transposing. No skill is required by the operator, and the tests are made quickly and easily.

Ames portable hardness testers are used everywhere in a plant saving your company installation expenses, cost of transporting materials, and valuable stock that would be cut from bars and or sheets for test purposes with bench testers. Ames portable testers save you the cost of large stationary testers that would otherwise be needed in a plant. The cost of Ames testers is only a fraction of the bench-type testers.

The principle of Rockwell Hardness Testing is based on the scientifically established theory that a definite relationship exists between the hardness of a material and the depth of the penetration when the indentation method of measurement is used. The numbers of the Rockwell scales represent the depth of penetration when standard indenters are used under known pressure loads.

Frequently Used Rockwell Scales

This method has proved practical and accurate and is the simplest and quickest method yet devised for measuring hardness, hence the universal acceptance of Rockwell scales as a standard for measuring hardness. For testing hardened steels and alloys by the Rockwell method, a standard “C” penetrator is used under a pressure load of 150 kgs. The penetrator has a 120-degree cone carefully ground and polished and a diamond point that has been mechanically lapped to a spherical point with a .008-inch radius. For testing soft steels, nonferrous alloys, and cast iron, a standard 1/16″ diameter specially hardened steel ball penetrator, known as the “B” penetrator, is used and a pressure load of 100 kgs is applied. Readings in other Rockwell scales are obtained by using the diamond penetrator and ball penetrators of 1/8″ and 1/2″ diameter and 60 and 100 kg loads.

In the Rockwell method of Hardness testing, two loads, a minor, or initial load and a major load are applied. The depth of penetration actually measured is the additional depth resulting from the major load after the initial or minor load has been applied. This causes no serious difficulty or computation as the tester is set back to zero following the initial load. The resultant reading is believed to be a truer and more accurate measurement of hardness, in as much as surface imperfections or variations in the piece would cause inaccurate readings. By measuring only the increment or additional depth caused by the major load, inaccurate readings due to surface variations are eliminated.

In the Rockwell B and C scales, the minor load is 10 kgs and the major load is 100 and 150 kgs respectively. In the Rockwell Superficial scales, the minor load is 3 kgs and the major load is 15, 30, and 45 kgs respectively. Ames hardness testers employ the same penetrators and pressure loads as specified in Rockwell hardness testing and consequently read directly in the Rockwell scales. A chart of Rockwell scales is provided with each tester giving the penetrators and pressure loads to be used. This chart also gives equivalent Brinell readings.

Download our Rockwell-Brinell Conversion Chart
Rockwell Hardness Testers

What Ames Compliance Means for You

May 4, 2022 by Ames Portable hardness testers 0 Comments #Ames compliance, #Ames Hardness testers, #Ames portable hardness tester, #Ames tester, #ASTM

ASTM and ISO are standards designed to ensure traceability and repeatable accuracy. Our testers give accurate measurements in both large and small plants.

What is traceability? This term is indefinite as applied to relationships between calibrations and measuring activities of manufacturers and suppliers. Uncertainty concerning the validity of calibration data arises because of drift, environmental effects, transportation, and use. To provide support for the current validity of a calibration or to otherwise provide a basis for estimating accuracy, other procedures may be important or essential. Such as, the analysis of performance records of the instrument, local intercomparisons with other limits, checks the calibration at discrete points by the use of standard materials or devices, application of statistical methods in analysis of repeated measurements and in planning of measurements to determine or minimize the effects of disturbing variables, determination of measurement agreement between laboratories and the use of information related to the design and performance characteristics of the instrument.

hardness tester

The Ames portable tester uses the penetration method of testing and is based on the Rockwell principle. A diamond penetrator is forced into hardened steel and hard alloys and a ball penetrator into soft steel, nonferrous metal and gray and malleable iron castings. Pressure to the penetrators is applied to screw action, caused by turning the large operating wheel. A supersensitive dial indicator has graduations on the dial that indicates when pressures of 10, 60, 100 and 150 KG have been applied.

 

 

The portable hardness tester has a wide field of applications. Its use on a wide variety of hardness testing jobs is facilitated by the use of attachments. An extended V anvil is used to test small diameter round stock. The special spindle is used to keep the spindle from extending nearly full length from the tester frame and to prevent the penetrator from riding off-center. Larger round s are tested with a V anvil which is supplied as standard equipment with each tester.  Small rounds are difficult if not impossible to test the accuracy of tests drops sharply on diameters under 3/16 in.  Tables and charts have been worked out showing the degree of accuracy attainable in small diameters.

The hardness of full lenth sheets of steel, brass, aluminum, tin plate and the like are tested without the necessity of cutting off coupons or specimens.  Because of that fact, warehouses are finding such testers useful for checking quantities of sheet stock.  Some manufacturers use portable testers for checking the hardness of sheets before they go through pressure because one sheet of hard stock may breakdown valuable punches and dies.

Repeatable accuracy means repetitive tests on the same material will result in the same reading.  This benefit is not generally available on competitive portable testers.  No loss of accuracy is experienced when transferring readings into the Rockwell scale because all readings are made directly into the Rockwell scales.  The accuracy of Ames testers may be favorably compared to the accuracy of large bench-type testers when testes are performed in the same environment.

Rockwell Hardness Testers

Ames Model 16 Solves Super-Size Quality-Check Problems

Feb 10, 2022 by Ames Portable hardness testers 0 Comments #Ames model 8, #Ames portable hardness testing, #Ames precision, #Ames rockwell hardness tester, #Ames tester, #Model 8 Ames

The model 16 Ames Portable hardness tester is designed to allow you to test the hardness of materials up to 16 inches in diameter.  This tester has been referred to as a model 36 in the past because the chain is 36 inches long.  This name caused confusion so the tester has since been renamed the model 16.

Model 16’s chain clamp system and dual “V” anvils allow testing round items from zero to16 inches in diameter. For testing Rockwell A, B, C and other scales. This tester can be ordered in standard or superficial versions. The measuring head is independent of the clamp and may be removed for mounting on a holder of your own design. This tester weighs 8 pounds and conforms to ASTM standard E-110.

The Model 8 and Model 16 hardness testers are not available for purchase online due to the changing prices in the current market.  You can request a quote for either of these testers online.

The Model 8 is our Second Largest Tester:

Rockwell Hardness Testers

Is my Ames or DoAll Portable Hardness Tester Eligible for Repair or Calibration?

Dec 23, 2021 by Ames Portable hardness testers 0 Comments #Ames, #Ames calibration, #Ames portable hardness tester, #Ames tester, #calibrate Ames, #DoAll, #DoAll Tester, #Rockwell hardness tester

The Electro Arc company obtained the Ames Portable Hardness Tester line in 1975 and began manufacturing the standard and superficial hardness testers and accessories. For a short period of time, the company also made Fowler Hardness Testers and in the mid 1980’s through the early 1990’s also made DoAll portable hardness testers. Ames is now a Stillion Industries product line, continuing to make and service all Ames Portable Hardness Testers and DoAll hardness testers with a serial number of 12000 or newer. Some DoAll Hardness testers were issued with serial numbers starting with 17 by mistake and these testers may not be eligible for repair or calibration.

Ames precision is based on the flex of the Ames Frame during hardness tests. Over time, the portable testers are no longer serviceable, they must be replaced. If you are considering buying a used Ames, DoAll or Fowler portable hardness tester, it is strongly recommended that you check the model number to determine if your tester is new enough to receive calibration or repair service.

DoAll Portable Hardness Testers are identical to Ames portable Hardness testers with the exception of the dial indicator which bears the DoAll Precision logo.

When determining if your Ames or DoAll precision tester can be calibrated or repaired, look at the model number engraved into the frame of the tester. If your portable tester does not have an engraved model number, chances are, it is not a genuine Ames Portable Hardness Tester. You can always call us with your model number because we have records of every portable hardness tester made and sold by Ames.

All portable hardness testers made and sold by Electro Arc, and now Stillion Industries feature the model number in the same place. DoAll and Fowler hardness testers also followed the same pattern. If you are planning to send your tester in for calibration or maintenance please be sure to include your company information with the tester when you send it.

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