I just brought this Rockwell hardness tester home and it didn't come with instructions. It came from an estate so nobody has a clue how to use it. Before I attempt to break it by messing around I thought I'd ask for help this time around.

Anyone know how to use this correctly?

Dial pic.

Ok, this is a easy one (considering it's been a few years since I calibrated these for a living).
The weights are what control the ranges (impression force). "C" scale uses the diamond at 150KG, and "B" uses the 1/16 ball at 100KG force. there are also scales that use the diamond at 60KG and 100K, and ones that use the 1/16 ball at 60KG and 150KG (not to mention those that use 1/8 and 1/4 balls). The other scales are read the same, simply substute the proper letter code IE "A" for a 60KG diamond
Select the approperate scale, and install the correct weight stack. Install the proper penatrater. Install the proper anvel in the top of the screw (do NOT put a dent into the top of the anvel), so that the part will have a solid seat.
Cock the trip lever, right side behind the dial (weight stack will raise up). Insert the part to be tested, and raise the screw/anvel until the pointer moves up to the "set" position. Trip the cocking lever to release the weight (later models had the thumbstyle trip lever near the screw). After the needle stops, re-cock the trip lever and read the needle to get your "Rockwell" hardness number.

Now the bad news, I don't see the other 2 weights, just the 60KG hanger weight. Nor do I see any anvels or penatraters. You should get at least 1 new diamond (they are very easy to break) and 3 test blocks for the B&C scales (low, med, high) so that you know when it's reading corrctly. It probably all gummed up, and needs cleaning and calibration (technicaly a Re-cal is required when ever it is moved, even from one bench to another).
IIRC Wilson is now owned by Instron.
These are not a do-it-yourself repair insturment.

these folks might help:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi

Tailgunner - I do have the 50 and 60, but not the 40kg block. There is one anvil installed and one C diamond penetrator installed. It did come with 4 standards, but since the C penetrator needs all 150 to read correctly I guess I'll be waiting to check it out until I can find one.

Please clarify some points for me: I raise the weight and then raise the part/standard until the needle hits the set line 1) the first time around?, then release weights 2) for how long?

Thanks loads, all movements are smooth and the guage seems to be working fine, just need more penetrators and the 40 weight :-)

delloro, thanks for the link, searching is soon to be underway :-)

Tom

Tailgunner - see if you can follow this and tell me if it makes sense.

I've emulated a 40kg weight equivalent with lead. I raise my standard with the weight raised until I hit the set the first time. So what's with the little dial just to the left of the ZEROMINDER text?

I drop the weight and the dial goes left to c scale 75. I raise the weight and the dial goes to c scale 81 - all to the left of the set.

Am I supposed to move the dial set point to where the needle goes when I have the weights on?

Thanks loads -

Tom

Small needle points at the "dot", large needle in the set band (B20-B40 pic 2) adjust the dial so that the C0/B30/set line is even with the needle (raise the part only, if you go to far release the part and test in a different location). Now release the weight, wait, remove the weight and read.
The reading with the full weight applied means nothing, ignore it.
"Rockwell" is a measurment of the difference between the pre and post minor (15KG?) loads IE it is the penatration depth and spring back of the material being tested.
IIRC the load is applied for 15sec, but it isn't that critical, 5 sec at load gives the same result 98% of the time.
Material things to watch for, thin stock and case hardened materials. You can "punch" the penatrator through the hard layer into the core (false readings) or through thin stock into your anvil. Stock under test should be 5-7 times thicker than the dent depth, and dents should be no closer than 3x the dent diameter apart (compacted material interfearance.
Never dent the back face of a test standard, as A) it's not certified, B) the craters on the other side will cause false readings.

Remember that part of my explanation detail comes from having customers that made the parts that held the wings on the airplane I was flying home in. I had a very short line of responsability IE I said the tester was right, they said the part was right, and my ass was riding on the result. I don't know what your testing, but I'm assuming your working on personal projects.

Insure that the unit has the correct amount of the proper viscosity oil. The load must be applied slowly, the oil dampening controls this.

Tailgunner -

Many thanks. I've determined my dial indicator is a little sticky at the top range, thus the strange behavior.

This is indeed for personal use. I'll use this and my furnaces primarilly for harnedning swaging punches and learning how to properly heat treat everything I want to heat treat :-)

Thanks again - Tom

OMJ - hydraulics *seem* to be working fine. It takes about 2 seconds to apply the weights when the lever is moved.

Also - I've found a manual from a very generous eBayer who doesn't want $50 for a copy of it. Once it comes in I'll be able to correctly set this unit up and see what I've got.

Tom