Beam scale

[RetiredArmy]

My new to me Scott Parker (bought from Scott) tuned Redding 2 arrived on Sat. Very pleased, very sensitive (1 kernel 4350). For those of you using beam scales my question is, do you leave them set up on your bench or store the away? If you store them, how?
Thanks Bill

 

[Bc'z]

Set up.
Clean knives and aggots regularly, apply lead to knives.
Rebalance and zero every load session.

 

[CarlGeorge]

I have an Ohaus 10-10. I pack it up (beam, hanger and pan stored in the unit and dust cover placed over unit) every time I'm done using it. I figure the largest "risk" is getting dust in the stone pivots. But I leave it (packed up) on the bench. I don't put it "further away" in a box or anything like that.

 

[RetiredArmy]

Set up.
Clean knives and aggots regularly, apply lead to knives.
Rebalance and zero every load session.

P.m. sent

 

[1911nut]

Set up.
Clean knives and aggots regularly, apply lead to knives.
Rebalance and zero every load session.

What does “ apply lead to knives.“ mean?

 

[Bc'z]

What does “ apply lead to knives.“ mean?

Drag pencil lead across knives for a lubricant

 

[1911nut]

Drag pencil lead across knives for a lubricant

I’ll try that.

If I had room on my bench to keep my scale set up I’d get an acrylic/ plexiglass cover made up at a glass business.

 

[JMayo]

I cover all my gadgets with plastic hoods.
Dust is not needed.
With a beam scale I always took the beam down. No need for wear 24/7.

 

[K22]

When I had the super excellent Ohaus 10-10 scale I'd packed it away after each reloading session since it had a fitted holder and cover - very convenient.

However when the scale went south after 40 years of heavy use I purchased the new Lyman "Brass Smith" scale which does not have these storage features so I leave it set up with the large poise weight placed on 250 grains as the owner's manual recommends which presumably minimizes the pressure on the pivots and knife edges. On time will tell is this is effective.

PS: I made my own dust cover by fashioning a zip lock bag to cover the scale on my bench.

 

[KMart]

Break it down and put everything in its place. It then goes in a cabinet.
Mine is a Parker tuned Ohaus 10-0-5

 

[bobm]

My 1010 sits on the leveling plate covered with a lint free cloth for dust protection when not in use.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I use my 1010 about every day. Disassembly and plastic cover ain't happening each time. It sits on the leveling plate covered with a lint free cloth for dust protection when not in use.

View attachment 1118339 View attachment 1118340 View attachment 1118341

Like the Plate ...

 

[CharlieNC]

I've had the same tuned Redding for 3 years. Leave it setup with the tray removed so the beam remains idle when not in use. A cheap camera to see the pointer is mandatory!

 

[akajiggs]

@ScottParker ,in your opinion since you rebuild these scales,which is the best way to store scales?
Thank you

Jim

 

[JFrank]

I keep mine set up, when not in use I set the main poise to about 250 gr and cover with a cloth.
J

 

[Straightshooter1]

My new to me Scott Parker (bought from Scott) tuned Redding 2 arrived on Sat. Very pleased, very sensitive (1 kernel 4350). For those of you using beam scales my question is, do you leave them set up on your bench or store the away? If you store them, how?
Thanks Bill

Being retired and having downsized my living space, I have limited work space. Therefore, I put my RCBS M500 away in it's box after each use not only to have more available work space as needed but also to keep as much dust from collecting on it as possible. Every so often I'll use some canned air to purge any dust/grit from the knives and ceramic bearing. It doesn't take me long to set up and calibrate (like maybe 2 minutes to put it in the same location, including setting up a web cam for close up viewing of pointers on a computer screen and calibrating with Lyman's Scale Weight Check Set). If I had space, I'd keep it covered in the same location with the beam resting where knives are not in contact with anything. Am able to get accurate and consistent measurements down to a single gradual of powder.

 

[Mark W]

My Parker tuned Lyman M5 has a permanent spot on my loading bench. I remove the pan and cover it with a lint free cloth when not in use. Like others mine gets blown off regularly. I also wipe down the pivot points with alcohol on occasion and have used pencil lead in the knives.

 

[dsculley]

I made a box of plexiglass with a front door that swings up. Mine sits inside the box all the time. I simply open the door to use it. It is protected from drafts when in use and from dust when not in use.

 

[sparker]

@ScottParker ,in your opinion since you rebuild these scales,which is the best way to store scales?
Thank you

Jim

When not in use, remove beam from scale, keep dust off of it.

Scott