BHN tolerance for bullet casters

[Tim Ault]

There is a few posts/threads over at castboolits site that mentions using different grade/ hardness of pencils to get a pretty good estimate of the hardness of an alloy  not a perfect way but it's rather inexpensive and gives good results

[jrubin]

Ive found that if I can get a consistent value from the hornady, which I do, and it is known to be pure lead, then I can measure samples against that value as a base line.  This is a lot safer that justifying another lead hardness tester purchase to the wife.

[Daryl]

My greatest fear, is that when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them.

[jrubin]

Some would say that the 15$ pencil set does the same job at a fraction of the price too.

[Scota4570]

The best way to determine if an unknown lead ingot is pure is to drop it on a concrete floor.  If if says, "clunk" they you are good to go.  IF if rings then it is some type of alloy.  Hardness testers are fine but for selecting lead a the scrap yard just drop it and listen. 

[Daryl]

I would change that clunk to a thud - the L puts a ring to it, to my ears.

[jrubin]

Lemme wait till the wife makes an unnecessary purchase, then ill slip the purchase in the same day