Windsor Pin™ system
A unique instrument for measuring the strength of new or existing construction materials in situ utilizing the established principle of resistance to penetration. 
Measures the compressive strength of concrete, mortar and brick in-situ, quickly and accurately. A non-explosive instrument, the
Windsor Pin™ System uses a spring-loaded device to drive a steel pin into the concrete (or mortar). The depth of penetration of the needle correlates to the compressive strength of the material under test. A removable chuck and a small pin size facilitate the testing of mortar joints; this is the only system for testing the in-place strength of brick mortar joints.
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Portable and completely self-contained.
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Safe to use - non explosive.
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Economical - steel pin can be reused.
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Non destructive.
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Removable chuck facilitates testing of mortar strength in masonry.
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Conforms to ASTM C-803
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Test new concrete products and structures for early strength.
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Evaluate the in situ strength in existing structures, e.g., after suspected fire damage.
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Test strength of block, brick, and mortar joints within an existing structure, e.g., load bearing walls.
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Test polymer concrete and patching compound.
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Quality control of precast elements such as block, brick slabs and pipe.
The principle of the Windsor Pin™ system is that a spring drives a steel pin into the surface of the material. Since the depth of penetration is inversely proportional to compressive strength, the device provides a fast and safe way of determining the in situ strength of material.
The spring is loaded by tightening the retraction nut until the trigger mechanism latch closes to hold the spring in place. The stored potential energy is 91 lbs. in (108 NM). With the spring loaded it is compressed to a distance of 0.8 inches. Thus once the trigger is pulled there is enough force to test compressive strength of concrete to a maximum of 5300 PSI (36.9 MPA). The pin is made of a special high strength steel specifically designed for building material penetration and can be used about seven times. The Windsor Pin System comes with a go/no go gauge to test the pin(s) after each use. If the length is reduced sufficiently and the pin goes through the gauge, the pin(s) should be replaced. Not doing so will severely impact test results.
With the chuck on both the micrometer and the pin driver, flat surfaces can be easily and accurately measured. Simply make sure the chuck rests against the surface and pull the trigger. After the pin has penetrated the surface, clean the hole with the blower provided and measure depth of penetration. Compare this penetration depth to the previously prepared chart for the compressive strength of your material. Strength charts for typical mortar and concrete are provided with the unit.
The recommended practice is to take seven readings and discarding the two readings farthest from the mean. By doing this, the possibilities of accidently striking a flaw or near surface piece of hard aggregate, and using the resulting penetration to calculate strength; are sufficiently reduced. By grinding the test surface flat before testing, a more consistent result can be produced.
With the chuck removed, the pin driver is capable of accurately testing mortar joints. By inserting the V-barrel into the mortar joint, the pin will directly penetrate at the center of the joint. Then by following similar procedures as above, the compressive strength of the mortar joint can be accurately and safely tested. A similar V-shape on the micrometer facilitates measurement.
The spring of this instrument has been selected for its ability to undergo many compression cycles with no loss of energy. However, it is recommended that the instrument be sent back to James Instruments (or an authorized distributor) for cleaning, recalibration, and replacement of the brass loading nut, at least once every year.
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W-P-2000 |
Windsor Pin™ System |
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W-P-1040 |
Box of 40 pins with gauge for Windsor Pin™ system |
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Weight |
18 lbs.(8.1 Kg) |
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Dimensions |
17 x 12 x 6 inches (43 x 30 x 15 cm) |
Windsor Pin™ SYSTEM OPERATING PRINCIPLE
A spring-loaded device drives a steel pin into the surface of concrete or mortar and the depth of penetration is measured. Since the depth of penetration is inversely proportional to compressive strength, this system provides a fast and efficient way of determining the in situ strength of material.
The spring is loaded by tightening the loading nut until the trigger mechanism latch closes to hold the spring in place. The stored potential energy is 91 lbs. in (108 NM). With the spring loaded, it is compressed to a distance of 0.8 inches. Thus, once the trigger is pulled there is enough force to test the compressive strength of concrete to a maximum of 5300 PSI (36.9 MPa).
The pin is made of a special high-strength steel specifically for building material penetration and can be used up to seven times. The pin should be replaced if the length is reduced sufficiently enough for it to pass through a go/no-go gage.
PIN PENETRATION RESISTANCE TEST PROCEDURE
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Insert a new pin into the chuck.
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Tighten the loading nut until the trigger mechanism latch closes to hold the spring in place.
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It is very important to back off the loading nut completely to the top of the load screw before pulling trigger. Failure to do so will result in damage to the threads of both nut and spindle.
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Place the instrument on a smooth flat surface of the material to be tested (2-3 square inches). If necessary use a grindstone to prepare the surface.
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Place the instrument perpendicular to the test surface and pull the trigger. The instrument should be held firmly against the surface, particularly when testing vertical walls and ceilings.
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With the chuck removed, the V-shaped barrel can be inserted directly into the mortar joint – ensuring pin penetration at its center.
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Remove the instrument, then using the rubber bulb-type blower, clean out the small hole made in the material surface.
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Place the micrometer over the hole, making sure that the reference surface of the micrometer is flat on the material (For measuring mortar joints, the micrometer utilizes a V-shaped barrel similar to the pin driver.)
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Insert micrometer probe to the bottom of the hole using the knurled thimble on the head of the micrometer.
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Read and note the micrometer reading. Remove chuck to expose V-Shaped barrel if measuring in a mortar joint.
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After each strike, check the steel pin in the go/no-go gauge provided - located in the plastic box containing 40 steel pins. If the pin can easily pass through the slot in the gauge, or it appears too blunt, it should be discarded and a new one selected. (Note: When checking the length of a used pin, make sure that it is parallel to the surface of the gauge.)
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Repeat the above procedure seven times and reject the two readings farthest from the mean.
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Average the five best remaining point readings and, using the charts provided, look up the corresponding compressive strength. If the pin is too blunt or too short, the strength of the material can be considerably overstated.
MICROMETER STRENGTH PENETRATION STRENGTH PENETRATION
*READING psi mm MPa in x 104 -3.990 5350 0.25 36.9 10.985 5280 0.38 36.4 15.980 5210 0.51 36.0 20.975 5150 0.64 35.5 25.970 5080 0.76 35.0 30.965 5010 0.89 34.5 35.960 4940 1.02 34.0 40.955 4870 1.14 33.6 45.950 4800 1.27 33.1 50.945
4730 1.40 32.6 55.940 4660 1.52 32.1 60.935 4590 1.65 31.7 65.930 4520 1.78 31.2 70.925 4460 1.91 30.7 75.920 4390 2.03 30.2 80.915 4320 2.16 29.8 85.910 4250 2.29 29.3 90.905 4180 2.41 28.8 95.900 4110 2.54 28.3 100.895 4040 2.67 27.9 105.890 3970 2.79 27.4 110.885 3900 2.92 26.9 115.880 3830 3.05 26.4 120.875 3770 3.18 26.0 125.870 3700 3.30 25.5 130.865 3630 3.43 25.0 135.860 3560 3.56 24.5 140.855 3490 3.68 24.1 145.850 3420 3.81 23.6 150.845 3350 3.94 23.1 155.840 3280 4.06 22.6 160.835 3210 4.19 22.2 165.830 3140 4.32 21.7 170.825 3080 4.45 21.2 175.820 3010 4.57 20.7 180.815 2940 4.70 20.3 185.810 2870 4.83
19.8 190.805 2800 4.95 19.3 195.800 2730 5.08 18.8 200.795 2660 5.21 18.3 205.790 2590 5.33 17.9 210.785 2520 5.46 17.4 215.780
2450 5.59 16.9 220.775 2390 5.72 16.4 225.770 2320 5.84 16.0 230.765 2250 5.97 15.5 235.760 2180 6.10 15.0 240.755 2110 6.22 14.5 245.750 2040 6.35 14.1 250.745 1970 6.48 13.6 255.740 1900 6.60 13.1 260.735 1830 6.73 12.6 265.730 1760 6.86 12.2 270.725 1700 6.99 11.7 275.720 1630 7.11 11.2 280.715 1560 7.24 10.7 285.710 1490 7.37 10.3 290.705 1420 7.49 9.8 295.700 1350 7.62
9.3 300.695 1280 7.75 8.8 305.690 1210 7.87 8.4 310.685 1140 8.00 7.9 315.680 1070 8.13 7.4 320.675 1010 8.26 6.9 325.670
940 8.38 6.5 330.665 870 8.51 6.0 335.660 800 8.64 5.5 340.655 730 8.76 5.0 345.650 660 8.89 4.6 350.645 590 9.02 4.1 355.640 520 9.14 3.6 360.635 450 9.27 3.1 365.630 380 9.40 2.6 370.625 320 9.53 2.2 375.620 250 9.65 1.7 380.615
180 9.78 1.2 385 NOTE: The micrometer does not read actual penetration. This value is obtained by subtracting reading from one inch.
MICROMETER STRENGTH PENETRATION STRENGTH PENETRATION
*READING psi mm MPa in x 104 -3
.990 5880 0.25 40.5 10
.985 5810 0.38 40.1 15
.980 5740 0.51 39.6 20
.975 5680 0.64 39.1 25
.970 5610 0.76 38.7 30
.965 5540 0.89 38.2 35
.960 5480 1.02 37.8 40
.955 5410 1.14 37.3 45
.950 5340 1.27 36.8 50
.945 5280 1.40 36.4 55
.940 5210 1.52 35.9 60
.935 5140 1.65 35.5 65
.930 5080 1.78 35.0 70
.925 5010 1.91 34.6 75
.920 4940 2.03 34.1 80
.915 4880 2.16 33.6 85
.910 4810 2.29 33.2 90
.905 4740
2.41 32.7 95
.900 4680 2.54 32.3 100
.895 4610 2.67 31.8 105
.890 4540 2.79 31.3 110
.885 4480 2.92 30.9 115
.880 4410 3.05 30.4 120
.875 4350 3.18 30.0 125
.870 4280 3.30 29.5 130
.865 4210 3.43 29.0 135
.860
4150 3.56 28.6 140
.855 4080 3.68 28.1 145
.850 4010 3.81 27.7 150
.845 3950 3.94 27.2 155
.840 3880 4.06 26.7 160
.835 3810 4.19 26.3 165
.830 3750 4.32 25.8 170
.825 3680 4.45 25.4 175
.820 3610 4.57 24.9 180
.815 3550 4.70 24.4 185
.810 3480 4.83 24.0 190
.805 3410 4.95 23.5 195
.800 3350 5.08 23.1 200
.795 3280 5.21 22.6 205
.790 3210 5.33 22.2 210
.785 3150 5.46 21.7 215
.780 3080 5.59 21.2 220
.775 3010 5.72
20.8 225
.770 2950 5.84 20.3 230
.765 2880 5.97 19.9 235
.760 2810 6.10 19.4 240
.755 2750 6.22 18.9 245
.750 2680 6.35 18.5 250
.745 2610 6.48 18.0 255
.740 2550 6.60 17.6 260
.735 2480 6.73 17.1 265
.730 2040 6.86 14.0 270
.725 1970 6.99 13.6 275
.720 1910 7.11 13.2 280
.715 1850 7.24 12.7 285
.710 1790 7.37 12.3 290
.705 1720 7.49 11.9 295
.700 1660 7.62 11.5 300
.695 1600 7.75 11.0 305
.690 1540 7.87 10.6 310
.685 1470 8.00 10.2 315
.680 1410
8.13 9.7 320
.675 1350 8.26 9.3 325
.670 1290 8.38 8.9 330
.665 1220 8.51 8.4 335
.660 1160 8.64 8.0 340
.655 1100 8.76 7.6 345
.650 1030 8.89 7.1 350
.645 970 9.02 6.7 355
.640 910 9.14 6.3 360
.635
850 9.27 5.8 365
.630 780 9.40 5.4 370
.625 720 9.53 5.0 375
.620 660 9.65 4.5 380
.615 600 9.78 4.1 385
.610 530 9.91 3.7 390
.605 470 10.03 3.2 395
.600 410 10.16 2.8 400
.595 350 10.29 2.4 405
.590 280 10.41 1.9 410
.585 220 10.54 1.5 415
.580 160 10.67 1.1 420
.575 90 10.80 0.7 425
NOTE: The micrometer does not read actual penetration. This value is obtained by subtracting reading from one inch.
Q. I have a concave mortar joint; can the Windsor Pin™ test it?
A. Yes, just remove the flat plate on the Driver Unit to expose the V-shaped tip. Don't forget to do the same with the depth gauge.
Q.How many tests do you get from each pin?
A.Depending on the strength of the material you might be testing you should get anywhere from three to five tests per pin.
Q.How accurate is the Windsor Pin™ System?
A.With the proper correlation testing, the Windsor Pin™ can get you within 10 percent of the actual in place strength. Just like most NDT tests you get your best results with a direct correlation of cores, cylinders, or prisms to match with the pin penetration.
Q. Can you over load the Driver Unit?
A. Yes, we recommend that you hold your hand over the trigger until you feel it click in. Remember to back screw off before you fire the unit.
