Mass produced since the 1930's and patented by Rex in 1947, the Model 1500 is still considered to be the best all around instrument of its kind.  While other manufacturers have attempted to copy the Rex design, none can offer the quality of a Rex 1500. With its light weight and small size, the user can carry it at all times.  Should it be dropped, even if not in its leather carrying case, it will not be damaged or become inoperative 99 times out of 100.  Because the gage is so durable, the Model 1500 comes with a lifetime guarantee. 

The key to the gage's durability is its sliding vernier scale - there are no cams, gears, or levers to wear out.  This vernier scale holds the maximum reading, and is especially useful for testing in hard to reach areas. The 1500 is made in accordance with ASTM D-2240 and is therefore fully as accurate as any dial models.  The vernier scale is marked in increments of 5 points, and with a little practice, one can obtain readings to within 1 point.

Features:

• Ultra lightweight
• Excellent for hard to reach places
• Virtually unbreakable
• Superior accuracy
• Precision construction
• Easy to read
• Holds reading until reset
• Furnished with a leather pouch

The Rex H-1000 Mini-Dial Durometer is both compact and easy to use.  It's small dial face and included leather clip-on carrying case make it easy for an inspector to carry the gage - for work around the shop, or out in the field.  The H-1000 durometer holds the maximum reading until reset by pressing the button at the top of the gage.  The max-hold feature and small dial size make the H-1000 a good choice for hard to reach places, or for out of sight testing.

Features:

• Small face (1.675" Diameter)
• Easily fits into your pocket or clipped on belt
• Increments of 1 from 0-100
• One year warranty
• Furnished with a leather carrying case

The Model 1600 Durometer is Rex's standard model for good reason.  The gage features a full-sized dial face for readability to within 1/2 point.  The 1600 offers the maximum accuracy available in a dial model gage at a minimum cost.

Features:

• Large dial
• Full 360 degree sweep
• Superior 1/2 point accuracy
• Custom made carrying case
• One year warranty

Introduced in 1965, the Model 1700 was designed to enable the user to observe and measure the "creep" present in a specimen.  Creep refers to the tendency of the durometer indentor to continue to penetrate a specimen over time, giving lower durometer readings. For example, if the durometer is held against a specimen in full contact and with constant pressure, the durometer reading will decrease over a period of seconds after the initial reading is taken.

So, in a specimen with creep, the initial reading may be 35.0 durometer points, while the reading after three seconds may be 33.5 durometer points.  The Model 1700 features a max-hand and an active hand so that creep may be observed.  The max-hand holds the maximum reading while the active hand can be observed creeping down the scale.  The 1700 is equipped with a max-hand reset button on the top left of the gage.

Features:

• Holds reading until reset
• Reads maximum and creep
• Unique foolproof reset
• Superior 1/2 point accuracy
• Custom made carrying case

The Max-Hand 2000 durometer is Rex Gauge Co.'s latest innovation for the testing of specimens with "creep".  The Max-Hand 2000 has a max-hand and an active hand for observing the creep characteristics of a specimen.  Creep refers to the tendency of the durometer indentor to continue to penetrate a specimen over time, giving lower durometer readings.  For example, if the durometer is held against a specimen in full contact and with constant pressure, the durometer reading will decrease over a period of seconds after the initial reading is taken. 

So, in a specimen with creep, the initial reading may be 35.0 durometer points, while the reading after three seconds may be 33.5 durometer points.  What makes the Model 2000 unique is the magnetic-drag maximum reset mechanism.  The user simply rotates the reset knob on the front of the gage to clear the previous reading.  The simplicity of the reset mechanism ensures a lifetime of use, and makes the Max-Hand 2000 the most affordable durometer for testing specimens with creep.

Features:

• Reads maximum and creep
• Cost effective, hand operated
• Holds maximum reading until reset
• Custom carrying case
• Superior 1/2 point accuracy
• One year warranty

Tire hardness can be a critical factor in setting up a race car.  A tire that's too hard may sacrifice traction, while a tire that's too soft may give great traction but wear too quickly, and an unmatched set of tires may result in an ill handling car.  To properly set up a car, a measure of tire hardness is necessary, and the easiest and most cost-effective way to obtain such a measure is to use a durometer.

The 2100 is a handheld gage weighing only 4.2 oz.  The indicator case, bezel, and barrel are all billet machined aluminum.  Because of its billet construction, and the fact that the durometer is manufactured in the USA by Rex Gauge Company (an industry leader in durometers for over 60 years), the craftsmanship that goes into the 2100 is unsurpassed.  The gage is furnished with a carrying case and a one year warranty.  

The Rex DD-3 Digital Durometer is the successor to the popular Rex DD-1.  With its impressive list of features, the DD-3 is truly state-of-the-art, and is the ideal instrument for lab use.  Some of the new features are: a new, larger direct drive LCD display, RS232 data ports for computer compatibility, a locking feature to prevent accidental erasure of tolerances, automatic shutoff, low battery warning, and new accessories such as MTI and SPC type printers, audio attachments and software.

Features:

• High and low buttons for setting tolerance limits
• Solid state circuitry with LCD display
• Comes with batteries
• One year warranty
• Response speed is immediate
• Holds reading until reset
• 0.1 resolution
• Dial rotates up to 270°
• Custom made carrying case
• Certification included

Changing scales is accomplished by unscrewing one barrel and replacing it with another - no supplementary calibration or adjustments are necessary.  A test block, calibrated to the selected scale is also included. The block allows the user to perform quick functional checks on the instrument.  The indicator and barrels are made in the USA, and are calibrated to the ASTM-D2240 standard for durometer hardness testers.

A common error when using a durometer is to imbed the foot of the gage into the specimen by pressing down with excessive force.  All Rex instruments are made in accordance with ASTM D-2240.  This standard states that for types A, B, and O the gage should be pressed onto the specimen with a load of 1 kg.  The Rex Constant Load Weight for gages with an 822g spring load (types A, B, O) slides onto the lower barrel of the gage, gives it a wider foot, and raises the mass of the gage to the suggested 1kg. 

With the load weight on the gage, all the user has to do is set the gage on the test specimen - no further pressure is necessary.  Thus the Constant load weight eliminates the human error that would otherwise occur due to users pressing on excessive or inconsistent force. Constant Load Weights are precision CNC machined from stainless steel and are polished and calibrated by skilled craftsmen at Rex Gauge Co. in the USA. **Note: Increasing foot diameter can effect durometer readings.  

As stated above, a common error when using a durometer is to imbed the foot of the gage into the specimen by pressing down with excessive force.  All Rex instruments are made in accordance with ASTM D-2240.  This standard states that for types OO and OOO the gage should be pressed onto the specimen with a load of 400g.  The Rex Constant Load Weight for the type OO and OOO gages screws onto the top of the gage and raises the mass of the gage to the suggested 400g. 

With the load weight on the gage, all the user has to do is set the gage on the test specimen - no further pressure is necessary.  Thus the Constant load weight eliminates the human error that would otherwise occur due to users pressing on excessive or inconsistent force.  Constant Load Weights are precision CNC machined from stainless steel and are polished and calibrated by skilled craftsmen at Rex Gauge Co. in the USA.  

Rex Gauge Co.’s RDC-1 durometer calibrator was designed to help durometer users obtain in-house calibration ability.  The calibrator comes complete with weights for calibrating spring loads of gages in the A, B, C, D, DO and O durometer scales.  It also includes an adapter which gives the RDC-1 the ability to calibrate durometers from manufacturers other than Rex.  The RDC-1 is a great way for durometer users to cut the costs of sending durometers out for calibration at the recommended yearly intervals.

From the beginning, the Rex calibrator was designed to be simple to use.  Unlike a conventional scale, it doesn’t require the fabrication on an exotic fixture to hold the gage, and the user doesn’t have to perform any complicated calculations to determine if a gage is in calibration. With the RDC-1, simply secure the gage in the clamp and slide the weight to the appropriate point on the scale, if the gage reads within +/-1 of the point indicated on the scale, it’s in calibration. 

The RDC-1 offers quality unparalleled by any other.  With its thick steel base, oversize stainless steel column, and thirty pound weight, the RDC-1 is the sturdiest calibrator made.  All components are precision CNC machined to exacting tolerances, and then plated or painted to insure long life.  The RDC-1 comes to you fully calibrated with documentation traceable to NIST. It also comes with instructions and technical notes covering specifics about durometer calibration.  The Rex RDC-1 calibrator is made and assembled in the U.S.A.

Since type "A" durometers test rubber and other softer non-metallics, it is possible for the user to imbed the foot of the durometer into the test specimen and obtain false readings.  To obtain accurate readings using a durometer, one must develop the proper "feel" for the gage.  Rex Gauge Co.’s Test Block Kit (TBK-1) gives the user the ability to develop the proper "feel", and, while it is not to be used for calibration purposes, it enables the user to perform a quick check for proper durometer operation.

The kit consists of seven color coded test blocks each of which measures ¼" x 2" x 2".  The blocks are calibrated at Rex Gauge Co. and correspond to durometer values of 30 pts. to 90 pts. in increments of 10.  The kit comes to you in a sturdy magnetic-latching carrying case with the true readings for each block on the inside cover of the case.  At an additional cost, a certificate of conformance is also available for users who need documentation of traceability to NIST.  Single test blocks for other durometer scales are also available.

Since type OO and OOO durometers test soft rubber, foams, gels and other very soft non-metallics, it is possible for the user to imbed the foot of the gauge into the test specimen and obtain false readings.  To obtain accurate readings using a durometer, one must develop a proper "feel" for the gage.  Rex Gauge Co.'s Test Block Kit for OO and OOO durometers gives the user the ability to develop the proper "feel".  While not to be used for calibration purposes, the kit also enables the user to perform a quick check for the proper operation of the durometer.

The kit consists of five color coded test blocks each measuring 1/4" x 2" x 2". The blocks are calibrated at Rex Gauge Co. and correspond to durometer values of 20 pts. to 60 pts. in increments of 10 pts.  The Kit is furnished with a sturdy magnetic-latching carrying case with the true readings for each block on the inside cover of the case.  At an additional cost, a certificate of conformance is also available for users who need documentation of traceability to NIST.

For type D durometers, includes 3 blocks and case.

One of the most common problems durometer users experience is false readings due to pressing too firmly on the gage and imbedding the foot of the gage into the test specimen.  To make Rex durometers a good instrument for testing in hard to reach areas, we designed our gauges with the smallest foot possible which is ½" diameter.  This small foot makes it easy for an inexperienced user to imbed the foot of the gage into the soft specimens thus obtaining false readings.

One simple way to prevent this operator error is to install a Rex Big Foot attachment onto the lower barrel of the gage.  The Big Foot increases the diameter of the foot from ½" to 1 3/8" diameter, which makes it nearly impossible for the user to imbed the foot into any test specimen.  The Big Foot is an option which can be ordered installed on any new gage, or ordered separately.  It includes a wrench and instructions.  **Note: Increasing foot diameter can effect durometer readings.  

Rex gages need this foot extension to meet DIN standards for durometer testing.  The DIN foot attachment increases the size of the standard gage foot, thus meeting the DIN standard and reducing the possibility of operator error.

The DIN foot is an accessory which can be ordered installed on a new gage, or ordered separately.  It includes and wrench and instructions.  **Note: Increasing foot diameter can effect durometer readings.