Hardness tester Stand for Lee Precision 20x Microscope
I was recently discussing hardness testing with a member here. Having a way to hold the Lee scope steady and be able to move the boolit into the measuring grid with small and steady movements, make taking measurements fun and painless.
I got the idea of modifying a cheapo microscope from Larry Gibson a few years ago. I got lucky and found this child's toy Microscope kit at a thrift shop...It was marked $4, IIRC & I bought it on a Tuesday, when everything is 50% off.
After Modification
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psf328a171.jpg
Here is a Before picture
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps2217014c.jpg
First, I removed the eyepiece by turning counter clockwise til it comes off, then remove the one screw that holds the multiplier lenses on.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psebeabf8c.jpg
Then, find a drill bit the size of the Lee scope, and drill out the tiny bit of plastic, necessary to install the Lee scope.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...psabce69b4.jpg
I used some beeswax based boolit lube to "hold" the scope in place
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps0355c997.jpg
I used a piece of card stock as a 'slide', with some soft/tacky boolit lube on it, to hold the boolit sample for ease of adjustment.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps99d12363.jpg
That was about as easy of a Modification on anything that I have ever cobbled together.
Now, there are many other solutions, many simple ones. Feel free to post them here.