Beam scale zero

[cwebster]

I have done some work on my own scales, and they all work pretty well. After I clean the agates that the main knife edges sit in, and their seats, the next thing that I do is to level the scale body and adjust the weights in the pan holder so that the beam pointer is pointing exactly to zero with the pan on and the poises set to zero. I want the CL of the edges to bisect the angle of the agates. From there I sharpen the edges, and do a couple of other things. With a scale like the M5 or my 10-10 there are flat surfaces that making the leveling easy. Other designs are more challenging, with only the tops of the agate retainers to work with. This can be a bit tricky, but I can make it work.

I do the same. Not sure if it makes them any better but it sure doesnt hurt.

 

[JFrank]

My Amateurish attempts at tuning scales has been fairly successful but fall short when tasked with linearity issues and v groove flaws ( shown below) and sharpening knife edges beyond typical and careful stoning. If you look at the set washer behind the main poise, the relationship to the v groove and how each increment is effected the process as a whole is quite interesting.
Also I do not use pencil graphite as a knife edge lube, I find cleaning with a Q tip and alcohol does the job.

 

[Tesoro]

I have done some work on my own scales, and they all work pretty well. After I clean the agates that the main knife edges sit in, and their seats, the next thing that I do is to level the scale body and adjust the weights in the pan holder so that the beam pointer is pointing exactly to zero with the pan on and the poises set to zero. I want the CL of the edges to bisect the angle of the agates. From there I sharpen the edges, and do a couple of other things. With a scale like the M5 or my 10-10 there are flat surfaces that making the leveling easy. Other designs are more challenging, with only the tops of the agate retainers to work with. This can be a bit tricky, but I can make it work.

Also handy to own a set of small flat nose smooth jaw pliers. The stirrup, where the pan hangs, usually needs to be tweaked and straightened so when it rocks under load it does not touch the sides of the cutouts on the knobs. The stirrup loops should also be parallel with each other and the bottom of the wire vee should hang directly under the beam center. And the pan hangar needs to be straightened so it swings the pan parallel with the beam. I
f the pan swings out of line then it twists the beam and interferes with the mating of the knife edges and agate so cant get accurate weigh until the swing slows down. If it is inline then you can see the final weigh before the swing stops.
A good way to check is to swing pan and look straight down on the pointer. If you see it moving slightly side to side then you are no good.

 

[6MMsteve]

I use a bullet to zero my scale or check zero, being exact on wt can be misleading, because of moisture in powder..some folks dry powder some don't

 

[Chocdawg]

Do yourself a favor, buy once and cry once and get a Auto Trickler V4.

 

[JFrank]

Beam scales are quite capable. This guy has it figured out pretty well.

 

[Tesoro]

Also you cant tune a scale without owning a 10x jewelers loupe.

 

[cwebster]

Also you cant tune a scale without owning a 10x jewelers loupe.

What do you do when you have good readings at one point and off a tenth at others? Just zero for a known weight?

 

[1066]

Do yourself a favor, buy once and cry once and get a Auto Trickler V4.

I remember seeing exactly the same comment when the Auto trickler V1 was introduced.

 

[Tesoro]

What do you do when you have good readings at one point and off a tenth at others? Just zero for a known weight?

'Zero' the level scale with check weights so it weighs correctly at or close to your target weight. If you have to adjust too far out of level then add/subtract a sliver of shot in the pan reservoir.
We use scales differently than most. I used to use them to weigh expensive gems and determine their precise weights, each one being different. We use them to duplicate a desired weight and i couldnt use my scale properly without a set of Lyman,or other check weights. Even if the check weights are off a tenth, it really dosent matter for purposes of load development.

 

[cwebster]

'Zero' the level scale with check weights so it weighs correctly at or close to your target weight. If you have to adjust too far out of level then add/subtract a sliver of shot in the pan reservoir.
We use scales differently than most. I used to use them to weigh expensive gems and determine their precise weights, each one being different. We use them to duplicate a desired weight and i couldnt use my scale properly without a set of Lyman,or other check weights. Even if the check weights are off a tenth, it really dosent matter for purposes of load development.

I agree with the tenth of powder not showing up on paper, but its 36 degrees and raining all day. Got to have something to do and i aint doing windows.

 

[JFrank]

I agree with the tenth of powder not showing up on paper, but its 36 degrees and raining all day. Got to have something to do and i aint doing windows.

A tenth of a grain will definitely show up on paper, if you want to shoot 1000 yards proficiently you’ll need a scale that resolves .02 ish consistently.

 

[cwebster]

A tenth of a grain will definitely show up on paper, if you want to shoot 1000 yards proficiently you’ll need a scale that resolves .02 ish consistently.

1000 yds is not in the plan for sure

 

[JFrank]

1000 yds is not in the plan for sure

A tenth will show regardless

 

[cwebster]

A tenth will show regardless

OK, we'll agree that we disagree. The m5 is being sensitive and repeatable, just not absolute at different settings. That probably means more than anything.

 

[JFrank]

OK, we'll agree that we disagree. The m5 is being sensitive and repeatable, just not absolute at different settings. That probably means more than anything.

No worries
I have a M-5 as well. Beyond the fine posts above my rainy day tip is to Inspect your v grooves , ensure the main poise set washer doesn’t have any burrs and sets cleanly in each groove.

 

[Chocdawg]

I remember seeing exactly the same comment when the Auto trickler V1 was introduced.

It's solid technology, very reliable and frees up a ton of time. Yes, bigger $ but benefits greatly out weigh gross metering and trickling into a balance beam. A process fraught with mechanical error and human variation. But if one enjoys another way that's okay too!

 

[Tesoro]

A tenth of a grain will definitely show up on paper, if you want to shoot 1000 yards proficiently you’ll need a scale that resolves .02 ish consistently.

Huh? I think someone misread my post: a m5 will resolve to .02 consistently with a small amount of refining.
How do you know your $1000 electric scale is weighing accurately? Check weight. Same thing u do with $100 m5. They both weigh to the degree required for precision loading, if u believe a kernel or two makes a difference.

 

[JFrank]

Huh? I think someone misread my post: a m5 will resolve to .02 consistently with a small amount of refining.
How do you know your $1000 electric scale is weighing accurately? Check weight. Same thing u do with $100 m5. They both weigh to the degree required for precision loading, if u believe a kernel or two makes a difference.

Sorry for any confusion, I responded to post #31and yes a tuned beam scale will certainly resolve one kernel, I know because I use one for LRBR, all I said is captured in quote.

 

[Tesoro]

Sorry for any confusion, I responded to post #31and yes a tuned beam scale will certainly resolve one kernel, I know because I use one for LRBR, all I said is captured in quote.

Good! I can afford a $1000 electric scale but get my kicks out of using a 50yr old $100 scale to get the same result just as quickly and accurately.