Abstract Material testing machines are necessities in structural metal industries and engineering training institutions. Cost of importations had however made acquisition of the equipment difficult in most developing countries. This research aims at developing a hardness testing machine with 100% locally sourced components with a level of accuracy comparable with globally recognized manufacturers of similar equipment. A 5-Ton capacity Brinell-type hardness machine was designed, developed and tested. The machine has dimension specification: Base (602mm × 602mm); Height (1219.2mm). Total weight is 135kg. The cubical frame is made of two structural I-channel of depth (600mm) ×width (65mm) ×web (5mm). The horizontal I-channel that absorbs the bending load is of specification 600mm Depth ×65mm width×5mmWeb. Design indentation load of 50000N transmitted at the centre of I-channel was used resulting in maximum stress of 48.5N/mm2. A 5-Ton hydraulic jack, with attachments for workpiece support is placed rigidly on the lower I-channel. Sperical steel ball from ball bearings was used as indenter ball, positioned in a casing and rigidly fixed to the upper channel of machine in inverted position. Hydraulic jack pressure was monitored through a oil pressure meter connected through an orifice at the base. An upward movement of the ram lifts workpiece against stationary indenter. Indentation diameter on workpiece is measured with a micrometer travelling microscope. Repeated tests carried out on Aluminium, Copper and plastic gave diameters 2.9, 3.2, 7.5mm coressponding to 74.098, 60.56, 9.5BHN. Similar tests carried out on Brinell Hardness Tester Model (EEDB) and serial number (EEDB/13) give 79.6, 69.1, 9.5BHN percentage variation of locally developed machine from the standard machine used were 6.91, 12.36 and 0%. The effect of applied indenter force on hardness value was examined and results showed a maximum range of 1.428 BHN standard deviation. Test results indicated good reliability for use in basic material testing.