Anyone near Orangeville have a hardness tester?

[TedNugent]

Looking to borrow or have someone over to test a bunch of casted lead pucks /ingots. Just need to test a couple of each to determine hardness.
Can pay in lead lol.

 

[zuke]

Go to Cabella's or EPP's and buy a LEE tester

 

[TedNugent]

^^ wish I had the moolah, but sadly I don't which is why inaksed.

 

[yomomma]

Lee hardness tester. Works great. Cheap

 

[MuthaFunk]

I'm in Burlington if you want to drive that far...

 

[gnmontey]

What does a hardness tester prove or tell you? Is it something I need?

I'm a new to casting..... sort of.

Thanks,

M

 

[coltseries70]

Hardness tester? Sorry my wife works weekends

 

[yomomma]

What does a hardness tester prove or tell you? Is it something I need?

I'm a new to casting..... sort of.

Thanks,

M

Hardness has to increase as the velocity of your projectile increases. Generally a hardness tester is not necessary if you are working with known alloys.

 

[yomomma]

You can download lead hardness calculator here

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?105952-Lead-alloy-calculators

 

[gnmontey]

Hardness has to increase as the velocity of your projectile increases. Generally a hardness tester is not necessary if you are working with known alloys.

The stuff I just picked up is 7% antimony, 2% tin, balance lead. Where should that put me?

M

 

[yomomma]

Brinell of 15.9

Bullets become very brittle if antimony is above 5%

I would mix it with an equal amount of pure lead and add 2-3% tin. This will give you just about perfect lead for rifle.

Take some of this newly alloyed lead and mix it again with an equal amount of pure and you have good lead for pistols