According to oldjag :
I picked up an Ames hardness tester on Ebay. It seems to check out
okay (within +/-2 Rc on the Rc25 and Rc 65 calibration bars that came
with it), but you have to turn the load knob pretty hard to get to the
final load point. The manual advises against lubrication except at
the factory during a refurb. Anyone have any time using one of these?

That's the hand-held one? IIRC, it does take quite a bit of
grip to tighten it enough. And I would go by their advice with the
tool, since they know what affects its accuracy.

I now use a digital readout one by "King" (in King of Prussia
PA), which looks at first glance like a bright red version of a little
portable Singer sewing machine. :-) Not as portable as the Ames, but
easier to use IMHO. (It was an eBay auction -- poorly described, and
went for a quite reasonable price, or I would still be using the Ames. :-)

Enjoy,
DoN.

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