Shop Press Brinell test

[tonyfoale]

It is hard to meassure with precision the diameter of impressions.
The method of taking pictures correcting the picture scale and meassuring picture can include many more variables and incetities to the end result.
Stopped developing this since was having trouble to produce trusteable repeteable results.

That is what I expected. The Rockwell system of measuring the indentation depth with a gauge as you apply the load always seemed to me to be a much better system for a DIY project. With the Rockwell test you apply an initial small load to take up backlash and take up the effects of any dirt on the surface. This becomes the reference position and then you add the full load and measure the vertical movement. The actual Rockwell machines use a lever system and weights to get the load but you could use a pneumatic or hydraulic system to apply the load directly. FWIW Here is a picture showing the innards of a Rockwell machine. Vickers machines also use a lever system for loading.

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