Hardness Tester Recommendations?

[nw mb]

...has anyone used the lee hardness tester? ...other recommendations? ...there are some home-brew testers on the inter web, has anyone tried them?

thanks

 

[Spawn-Inc]

The cabin tree tester seems to be the cats ass, but I've never used a tester.

 

[jethunter]

The Lee tester works ok for me.

 

[yomomma]

Lee works...it is best if you can rig a device to hold it firm while you move the lead underneath it.

 

[Seagull]

I just bought the Lee on the word of a yomomma. It is easy to use but the scope can be fun to get lined up until you get used to it. It even works great on some ingots I had all ready.

 

[kodiak1]

Cabin Tree hands down.

Ken.

 

[yomomma]

Meh

I have put all sorts of different shaped ingots, bullets and other crap through the lee....not so much for cabin tree

 

[bearhunter]

I use the Cabine Tree tester as well. I even made up a homemade tester that duplicated the results of the CT. The secret with that unit is getting the proper spring.

It is a lot more expensive than the Lee unit but I do like it.

 

[crazy_davey]

Meh

I have put all sorts of different shaped ingots, bullets and other crap through the lee....not so much for cabin tree

So you have used the LEE but never the Cabin Tree?

 

[ALMAR]

I wanted to get the lee one for some time now but I just do the ball bearing trick...it can be a little tricky at first but it works.

 

[tbrwlf]

I have used the lee but I prefer my saeco. Price difference is a bit much but worth it.

 

[W.R.Buchanan]

I have used the Lee tester for many years. It most closely resembles a real full on Hardness Tester in the way it works. I have an optical comparator that I measure the dimples with so I don't use the little scope. With my comparator I can get real close to actual hardness of a given sample simply because I can measure said dimple more accurately. still for most users the Lee Tool is an excellent investment.

At Cast Boolits a few guys have made simple Fixtures to hold the scope over the boolit in alignment so you can actually get repeatable measurements. Some are made from wood and some are plastic all are well within the realm of the home craftsman.

This is the only down side to the Lee Tool. And it can be fixed with just a little ingenuity.

Randy

 

[yomomma]

Just saying.

 

[nw mb]

...thanks all

 

[X-man]

I have a vintage SAECO, but have heard good things about the Cabin Tree tester. I'm hesitant to try the LEE for fear it is like most other LEE products, that being the only thing it has going for it is the price.

 

[jethunter]

I have a vintage SAECO, but have heard good things about the Cabin Tree tester. I'm hesitant to try the LEE for fear it is like most other LEE products, that being the only thing it has going for it is the price.

What issues does the Saeco hardness tester have that has you thinking about purchasing the LEE tool?

 

[X-man]

What issues does the Saeco hardness tester have that has you thinking about purchasing the LEE tool?

Absolutely nothing. I'm just your standard leadhead/gun nutz...buying and trying kit just 'cuz. The SAECO works fine, but you have to be open to new ideas.

 

[The Frogge]

Only tester I ever used was a ball bearing, press, and lab grade ingot to compare to.
Been loking at buying the Lee set up are the Cabin Tree/ SAECO units really htat much better?

 

[jethunter]

Absolutely nothing. I'm just your standard leadhead/gun nutz...buying and trying kit just 'cuz. The SAECO works fine, but you have to be open to new ideas.

Boredom in other words. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[yomomma]

I think the others are easier to use for sure.
But you pay a higher price for that.

Only tester I ever used was a ball bearing, press, and lab grade ingot to compare to.
Been loking at buying the Lee set up are the Cabin Tree/ SAECO units really htat much better?