fx 120i

[TrxR]

Looking at buying a fx 120 and was wondering if a check weight wss a required purchase?

Thanks

 

[jerseyjoe]

While I don't own an FX 120i, I think having check weights is a good idea, even with a scale of that caliber.

 

[Comrade Terry]

check weight wss a required purchase?

Yes. You need to calibrate the scale from time to time in order to weigh out charges of consistent weight. I calibrate every time I sit down to use the scale.

It doesn't have to be an expensive check weight. Just use the same weight every time to insure consistency.

Get a check weight of a size nearest your powder charge range.

 

[mgdietrich]

Check weights are cheap, under $10 delivered from amazon. I bought a 50g

 

[KenOath]

A 100gm weight was recommended to me when I purchased my fx120 from Cambridge Environmental.. The check weights that come with an RCBS Chargemaster would work fine to.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Check weights are cheap, under $10 delivered from amazon. I bought a 50g

Yeah, only do that if you want to reprogram the scale. By default, it wants to use a 100g weight and I'm happy with default values.

 

[Twoboxer]

Call me crazy, but after calibrating with a 100g (1,543gr) check weight, I like to occasionally test with some check weight much closer to what I'm loading too.

 

[KenOath]

Call me crazy, but after calibrating with a 100g (1,543gr) check weight, I like to occasionally test with some check weight much closer to what I'm loading too.

I bought 2x50gm weights so that I can calibrate with the two when the fx asks for 100g, then I check with a 50g weight after it's calibrated.

 

[Twoboxer]

I bought 2x50gm weights so that I can calibrate with the two when the fx asks for 100g, then I check with a 50g weight after it's calibrated.

I like to check linearity a lot closer to the charge weights I'm using.

 

[KenOath]

I like to check linearity a lot closer to the charge weights I'm using.

Fair enough, won't do you any harm.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Call me crazy, but after calibrating with a 100g (1,543gr) check weight, I like to occasionally test with some check weight much closer to what I'm loading too.

Ok.


You're crazy.

 

[Twoboxer]

Ok.


You're crazy.

You made my wife very happy.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Having a series of calibrated weights to check the precision and accuracy of your balance within the weight range you most commonly measure is never a bad idea. You're most likely not "calibrating" the balance with these weights, which usually requires one or a small number of specific value calibration weights, you're merely confirming precision and accuracy within the range of interest. This is standard practice for many types of precision instrumentation that may be capable of measuring over a much wider range than that over which it may most commonly be used. Such calibrated weight sets are available at a number of places online and those appropriate for the weight ranges we typically measure in the reloading process can be purchased for relatively minimal prices.

 

[Martin52]

...if a check weight wss a required purchase?

The 'Z' model by A&D auto calibrates and does not require a separate weight. I have the FZ 300, it auto calibrates by pressing the keypad.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

You made my wife very happy.

Have you ever found a noticeable difference when using these check weights?

 

[T-shooter]

Once you get your weight and the scale calibrated, make a test weight close to the powder charges you will be using. Doesn't matter what's it's made out of as long as it doesn't wear from touching and doesn't collect moisture. Even using a cut down brass case, or a small pistol case, will work. Then you can spot check loads at any time to see it the calibration held or the scale drifted. I usually put mine on every 5-10 rounds and if everything is ok it should read exactly the same every time.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I'm beginning to believe that I am one of the few people on this thread who actually uses a pan on the scale in which to pour my powder while weighing and then lifting it and pouring out its contents into the prepared case. It seems everyboby else just pours their powder right on the platen.

When I lift the pan, the scale shows me a negative weight, but that's just relative to the zero I established using an empty pan. If the scale does not go back to zero when I return the now-empty pan to the scale, investigation ensues and I may do one or more things. Using a pan allows me to check my scale every single time I measure a load. So, instead of using yet another check weight (more sh*t to deal with,) I would urge everyone to use a pan when working with the FX-120; this way you get a check every time and it's easier to manage the powder.

The AutoTrickler depends on checking the weight every time and I'm sure it's a b*tch to use without a pan. The AutoThrow probably makes it even worse without a pan.

So I urge you to buy a suitable pan and to use it instead of various little check weights. You'll thank me for that.

 

[TrxR]

Got any suggestions on good pan to use? I was going to try a small metal measuring cup.

 

[Twoboxer]

Have you ever found a noticeable difference when using these check weights?

Not so far on the FX . . . IIRC the habit started a while back on my GemPro 250 which had a linear calibration function.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Not so far on the FX . . . IIRC the habit started a while back on my GemPro 250 which had a linear calibration function.

Excellent, you can now tell your wife that you have achieved the formal definition of crazy: "Doing the same thing over and over again hoping to get different results."

The GP 250 is a fine little scale, if all you have to weight is a pebble. It was useless as a handloading scale. Don't ask me how I know.