Tag: care for portable hardness tester

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