The Elcometer 3086 Motorised Pencil Hardness Tester (part number K0003086M001) measures the hardness of a coating by drawing pencil leads of known hardness grades across the coated surface, automating the test that the manual Elcometer 501 Pencil Hardness Tester performs by hand. This model has been discontinued.

Manual pencil hardness testing is limited in its reproducibility and repeatability by two factors: the uniformity of the carriage speed and the variation in the force the operator applies as the tester moves across the coating. The Elcometer 3086 removes both variables by being fully independent. An internal motor drives the unit at a constant, uniform speed across the surface while a user determined force, set between 0 and 10N, is held fixed throughout the stroke. Using the pencil lead holder, leads of varying hardness values are interchanged quickly to determine a coating's hardness rating.

Built from anodised aluminium, the unit measures 280 x 140 x 240mm and weighs 3.8kg. It can be used in accordance with ASTM D 3363, BS 3900 E19, EN 13523-4 and ISO 15184, the recognised methods for pencil hardness of organic coatings, and a Certificate of Calibration is available showing readings and traceability. The Elcometer 3086 is used in coatings laboratories and coil coating quality control. It is supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised Elcometer distributor.