Lee Lead Hardness Tester

[JonB]

I use the Lee hardness tester occationally. It seems to work for me. But since the process is quite operator-dependant, I take the results with a grain of salt.
But I believe I can use it to get an impression whether my new batch of alloy is about as hard as the last one.

For terminal ballistic evaluation, I prefer to shoot i an expansion medium, like water.

I agree with Spindrift, that Lee's "process is quite operator-dependant."
.
To get familiar with the Lee, I'd suggest getting some known alloys of Pure, and Lino, and 90-5-5, cast up a bunch and take a bunch of readings. To get consistent results with the Lee, you really need to be precise with every part of your measuring process and don't vary that once you have it dialed in. I measure several bullets for a sampling, because you can get a outlier reading here and there.
.
I use the Lee exclusively and I use it fairly often, due to the alloys I use. I will schmelt a bunch of scrap alloys together and I usually have a idea of what they should be, I like to confirm that during the first couple of bullet casting sessions.
.
I permanently mounted the Lee measuring tube in cheapo, child's plastic scientific adjustable microscope, works great, needs lots of light, I use a flashlight when the room isn't bright enough. With that setup, I can easily judge to half a graduation.
.
Pro-tip:
Keep a copy of the "extended" hardness chart.
But, I tend to ignore Lee's PSI numbers, YMMV.

 

[Mitty38]

Jon and spindrift make a good point.
Whatever method you chose to use, Machine, dimple maker and magnifying glass. Scratch test.
They all are means to the same goal, a consistent measure.
Known samples to practice with, and check yourself and equipment against later, are a good Idea. We call them Standards in my industry.
Consistent redundant repetitive methods and procedures, are your best friend.

 

[JonB]

Mitty,
I were gonna use the word Standards, but I didn't want to throw the newbie off track.

 

[Mitty38]

Mitty,
I were gonna use the word Standards, but I didn't want to throw the newbie off track.

Tit for tat. As long as a fellow gets the gist. I was never one for pushing proper. Heck I often fall short of proper verbage.

 

[castmiester]

I agree with Spindrift, that Lee's "process is quite operator-dependant."
.
To get familiar with the Lee, I'd suggest getting some known alloys of Pure, and Lino, and 90-5-5, cast up a bunch and take a bunch of readings. To get consistent results with the Lee, you really need to be precise with every part of your measuring process and don't vary that once you have it dialed in. I measure several bullets for a sampling, because you can get a outlier reading here and there.
.
I use the Lee exclusively and I use it fairly often, due to the alloys I use. I will schmelt a bunch of scrap alloys together and I usually have a idea of what they should be, I like to confirm that during the first couple of bullet casting sessions.
.
I permanently mounted the Lee measuring tube in cheapo, child's plastic scientific adjustable microscope, works great, needs lots of light, I use a flashlight when the room isn't bright enough. With that setup, I can easily judge to half a graduation.
.
Pro-tip:
Keep a copy of the "extended" hardness chart.
But, I tend to ignore Lee's PSI numbers, YMMV.

View attachment 40808

Operator dependant.. hm all the testers a monkey can use. A standard…. I see no change in hardness for melt at a little over 700 degrees.

Hold the punger flush with the die cap for 30 seconds. Other than that, what ? Other than l believe, everything else is a waste of time. Comparing? Cast a bunch and take a bunch of readings…Test a bullet you’re casting with your alloy and that’s it. The first bullet l tested was the same as the other one l tested in a few different spots same size indentation.

Btw nowhere in the instructions it says to test multiple casts. And your chart above shows same as the Lee for my casts.

 

[Mitty38]

We each have our own methods of doing things.
I don't know most fellows experience level here. Or life lessons learned.
Some cases, I don't know if I am talking to a seasoned bullet mfg. Or 12 year old girl. At least right away Now some folks you can tell by the info they exude. After a few conversations.
Now some of these folks.I can tell by their pics, they have posted. Because no one would want to claim to be that ugly.
Or literature with their name on it elsewhere. Because it's so old they have to be ancient. With age comes wisdom. But not always.
LOL.
Any how, most my life's work has been, making sure things are right, for others. Inspecting , testing - retesting, things. And so forth. So I often go over board. Like testing each piece of equipment against Standards before use. Testing Material 3 times or more and taking an average. Of course air planes could fall out of the sky if my material is not right.

So my best advice to anyone.. Newbie or not. Listen to it all with an open mind. Don't get stressed over others opinions based on their experiences.
Take what you like and leave what you don't. If it don't work out go back reeducate, extrapolate, then start again till it works for you.

Please excuse my sense of humor. I regress now.

 

[castmiester]

Ok, a standard. Kieths .429421 at 11 BHN. It’s his work, thus his standard. As Brad said stay away from brittle casts. Rick mentioned load up WW’s and l would be pleasantly surprised not with concerning myself with hardness. Others told me Fill the groove and cylinder throats. Heard good things on faster burning powder from Kieth and many others saying 2400 is the go to power and look no further, for the 44 Mag.

Got some feedback about inconsistent hardness of WW’s. So check it to see what it needs to make it consistent. Or spend more money and mix your own?

JonB

There’s nothing to “dial in” so l don’t know where that came from.

So maybe l do need to measure a bunch and make changes is something l else. You say you test range scrap.. jacketed lead is pretty soft, other then cast stuff so you say “you have an idea” of what you got? I can’t agree with that at all. That’s like picking through someones garbage and having an idea what’s there. Jacketed maybe but some guys shoot hard cast. I knew one guy who shot alot of it, a ton of it. Others are stuck on it and don’t know any better. I still have a box of it and some was given to me.

Giving me something to think about now about checking more frequently.

 

[RBHarter]

"Hold level with the cap for " whatever duration......
A framer and a cabinet maker aren't going to "feel" the same level because the finger pad skin build up is different. Depending on trade or craft it might change across the pad . There's guys that can legitimately feel the difference between a 1 lb 8oz and 1 lb 12oz trigger break me if it's under about 2# like a set trigger I can't feel it at all . But I can feel.001 if I drag my finger across it . Go figure.

That's where the dial in comes in . It's why I like things with a positive felt stop .