Rockwell Hardness Test Demonstration

In this video I go over the Rockwell Hardness test with an analog machine. This is a Wilson machine.
I talk about the setup for Rockwell “A” , “B” and “C” tests, along with the typical uses for each.
I go through the steps needed to perform a test, and some of the common mistakes in testing.
#Metallurgy #Rockwell #HVCC

[@christopherlaborde1670]

Thank you for showing us part of the quickly vanishing skillset of the lost art of actually “Making stuff.” We owned a machine shop growing up would take me aside to teach me me before I was “educated.” I miss this stuff. Thank you.

[@gibbyislame6342]

Thank you R. Dean Odell for the Rockwell Hardness Test Demonstration. Very cool.

[@donnoonan6838]

Great video. Exactly what I needed to refresh my memory how to correctly use our Rockwell Tester. Thank you.

[@RDeanOdell]

Great to hear! Thanks for taking the time to leave a positive comment.

[@vikingpary]

Thank you. Excellent video. Clear speaking. Not monotone. Very informative.

[@neffk]

Nice video. Covers all the details. I'm listening at 2.5 and your voice is coming through very clear. That means you speak at a constant rate, which I appreciate. Very specific, I know, but thanks anyway.

[@kunalguleria9617]

Best video on Rockwell Tester. Searched so much on KZbin !!

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks so much!

[@amelenker7438]

The new ones are digital and I thought your video is going to be complicated. But you explained the whole concept in the best way. Thanks a lot.

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks! Great to hear. I actually made an updated video on the same topic as well.

[@StewartRedmond]

Thank you for the detailed instructional video, helped me a lot.

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad it helped.

[@advancedquality5336]

Don't forget ASMT E 18 requirements. Anvil selection is important as is the pre-cleaning of the test piece. The diamond needs to be checked. I suggest a scrap piece of metal be tested first, only to push air out of the system after changing the anvil or indenter. Test block handling and use needs to insure that indentions are sufficiently separated (1.5D). Correction factors may apply. These need to be added or subtracted as appropriate. Don't test titanium. There's more, but let's keep it simple.

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks for the input!

[@sohailasghar5382]

I'm very much satisfied with this video Thanks for information

[@RDeanOdell]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching.

[@garyr300]

Great video, thank you. Do you know if you can convert to the scale when using a wilson superficial tester? those I think are n or t scale?

[@rocketscience777999]

Thanks for the video. As an engineer, I rely on the readings to very the the heat treat of various steel and nickel allows, but I wasn't familiar with what the actual process is that generates the readings.

[@RDeanOdell]

So great to hear! Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment.

[@tedkaczynskiamericanhero3916]

I'm right in the beginning, and a millennial, but man I love old machines with dials and not digital readouts. Idk if it's because it takes more skill to quickly read that specific dial on the machine or what, but when I see somebody using equipment with a dial readout, I always feel more confident with what I'm getting.

[@simonsaelaertfurniture9883]

Nice one thanks!

[@RDeanOdell]

Thanks! I appreciate your comment.

[@craigtaylor9345]

Awesome video, I was just gifted a Clark C8A hardness tester. I’m missing some weight’s and the anvil.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Google for the name of the tester to find the MFG, contact them and get a operators manual for it

[@garycullen1241]

You speak very clear and good, complete sentences, no ums, ums, ums, etc. So when you did the hardened block at the end of the video and it only read 60 Rockwell, isn't that when you calibrate the machine? What do you have to do to change it so the machine reads 64 Rockwell instead of the 60 Rockwell. Isn't that the purpose of calibrating the machine, so it reads 64?

[@CTRockin]

I believe if the gentleman lowered the telescopes from under the 2-1/2” flat anvil, his readings would be closer. Never loosen and tighten the gripsel- the indenter has a flat that lines up with the gripsel and is held in by the spring pressure on the ball against the flat. Not a bad demo compared to what I have seen on KZbin!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

The testing block DOESN'T calibrate the machine, it is just used to verify the maching is reading properly, the test block is created & verified by a outside source, the machine MFG etc.

[@billieticklish]

Did i just see you lift 150 kgf with a pinch? or you're just using dummy weights?

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, the weight is just a few pounds. The 150kg is the load applied to the penetrator, there is some serious mechanical advantage inside the machine.

[@eitb7537]

Hi Billie. Thank you for this question. Actually I am also going to ask d same question. But finally found yours.

[@petemclinc]

Informative demo but showing how you move the dial with the handwheel as you call it would be better.

[@georgea6403]

When testing a camshaft. Must the shaft be supported directly below the harness contact point or can the camshaft be on 2 v blocks and tested in between the blocks with no support directly under the contact point?

[@RDeanOdell]

It’s fine to use V-blocks. Here is a guy who grinds cams for a living, and that’s how he does it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/moGcgnRrncuVipIsi=V_6fUpDuy3kuWc1O

[@georgea6403]

@@RDeanOdell lol. That’s exact video I just saw and is why I’m questioning it. I asked him too but he hasn’t replied. I believe he’s doing it wrong. I’m trying to find an expert on this. Thanks for responding

[@RDeanOdell]

@@georgea6403 so using v blocks increases the chances for there being an error; there could be dirt or whatever on 4 different surfaces instead of one. I wouldn’t worry about deflection on the camshaft though, the Rockwell test doesn’t apply that much force..

[@troxistmajin8740]

Does the geometry of the test item matter? (I see there is a generic cylinder puck used in your test) What about using stainless steel instruments manufactured in a shop where the geometry might make it hard to test?

[@RDeanOdell]

The key for a Rockwell test is stability. Objects that are curved can be accounted for with a cylinder correction. You can shim a small specimen, but it is better to work with a stable part. Often the raw stock is checked before machining operations (unless the part is heat treated.

[@bashirarslan]

We have wilson rockwell hardness series 500

[@juancatalan5597]

Great video! What about The color marks on The dial?

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi. The red numbers are for the “B” scale and the black numbers are for the “C” scale. The orange green and grey marks have no purpose that I am aware of.

[@CTRockin]

The color portion of the indicator is for rapid testing. I believe on the indicator itself it’s denoted as a “zerominder.” Once you achieve the 2-1/2 turns, you depress the trip bar and then can zero the indicator while the 140kgf load is being applied. Always watch the movement of the large indicator needle, not the handle. Once the needle comes to rest, count one thousand one to one thousand three and gently remove the major load to the minor load position and take your reading. You are allowed + or - 0.5 HRC 60 and greater

[@bashirarslan]

Hello sir Can you help me with identation kit with certificates attached for aviation works

[@manofallmasterofnone1020]

I'll say I'm "hitting my head on the wall" to understand this. Higher the number EX. 70 is harder than 60? I'm trying to understand this so I have an idea how to run a cnc program.

[@joannayw5272]

good information for beginners like me. what model is it?

[@CTRockin]

Wilson 3JR.

[@joannayw5272]

Is it the smallest model? We need tester for very small parts...no need for a huge tester. Can you recommend a model for that?

[@CTRockin]

@@joannayw5272 if you’re performing Rockwell tests, what you have to look for is the vertical opening. That test is a copy of a Wilson 3R. The 3 stands for 8” opening. There are some older Wilson 1JRs (4”) used out in the field, but the 8” is very common. Remember to take in consideration the anvil and Indenter used, that takes away from the vertical capacity

[@TheLoon4ever]

So Stupid question. When I check some non heat treated steel on our Rockwell checker at work it checks like -10 on the rockwell C scale. Is that reasonable or does it some like something might be messed up with our checker? I would think it should still have some sort of hardness, not Zero or subzero.

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, sometimes that happens when something is wrong with the piece, like it’s rocking or there is dirt. More likely is that the piece isn’t hard enough to register on the C scale, I would try with Rockwell B and see if you get more reasonable readings.

[@TheLoon4ever]

@@RDeanOdell I also think it's just not hard enough to read properly. I wanted to hear/read it from someone who worked with Hardness/Material more. Thanks!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

You need to find out WHAT the requirement of the part you want to check should be MFG blueprints if requiring a specific hardness will state it in a specific category like Rc etc. this machine shone can be set up to check on different scales

[@TheLoon4ever]

@@REVNUMANEWBERN Absolutely! In this case It would be FOR REFERENCE ONLY. Lol In all serousness the Piece being tested was not Hard enough for the way Scale our tester was set up. So the -10 reading was reasonable. We were having some debates in the Machine Shop about things relating to Heat Treat and I needed a Sanity Check. Sometimes someone's telling you something and you just know they aren't as correct as they think they are.

[@payno6643]

Hello, I dont have the weights with my machine. Do you know what they actually weigh?

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, I think it’s going to depend on what machine you have. As far as I know, the weights are particular to the model of machine. Some machines have the weights internally as well.

[@troxistmajin8740]

Is Rockwell Hardness tester a destructive test? meaning, does it make an indent in the part?

[@RDeanOdell]

Yes, it makes a small indent. The term “destructive” is relative A large casting or forging will not be damaged by an small indent, but a small ground pin or precise part could be made cosmetically or structurally unsound with a standard Rockwell test. Rockwell superficial, Knoop, or Vickers tests reduce the size of the indent, but may not be as accurate in thicker sections,

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

NO it is NOT a destructive test, destructive test means what it says, DESTROY

[@lennynoronha8940]

does the minor load vary from machine to machine?

[@RDeanOdell]

Hi, the minor load will be less for a Rockwell Superficial test (which has a much smaller major load). Some machines will output the load in Newtons instead of Kilograms as well, so the number will be different.

[@lennynoronha8940]

@@RDeanOdell but if it has a maximum major load of 150kgs, can't the machine still have a smaller minor load?

[@CTRockin]

Superficial scales (15,30 and 45kgf) have a 3kgf minor load. Standard (60, 100 and 150kgf) has a 10 Kgf The minor load purpose is to imbed the Indenter past any crust or debris before the actual depth measurement is made

[@shanepipkin4041]

where can I test some metal at with one of these?

[@RDeanOdell]

Most colleges with a machining or engineering department will have one, as well as machinist shops and material laboratories.

[@payno6643]

What do the weights actually weigh?

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

3:37 shows the total weight of a stack up loaded on the machine has to be to use the different penatrators, EACH block has a weight on it, they are designed to fit together so the TOP one in the stack shows that TOTAL weight of that setup

[@unaffected_covid]

3 weights = 150 grams of force. 2=100. 1=60? Wait a minute...🤔

[@jasonestubbs]

They are weighted 40, 50 and 60 KG's

[@unaffected_covid]

@@jasonestubbs ooooh

[@AlphaBobFloridaOverlord]

You need to get your thyroid checked - you've got symptoms of hyperthyroidism. [I'm not kidding, or trying to sell you anything]