Beam scale drifting zero

[Gil P.]

It's an old Lyman scale made by Ohaus. I just got it, and while it looks vintage, everything appears almost new.

What might be causing a drifting zero and how can I fix it? It's not my primary scale but I want it as a reliable back up.

 

[dolek]

Have you cleaned the knives ,contact points ? Lubed w/ graphite ?

 

[JFrank]

Can you Describe a drifting zero with a touch more detail?
I may have an answer/direction for you

 

[Tempest]

Is it on level surface? Wind from HVAC?

 

[Big Mc]

It's an old Lyman scale made by Ohaus. I just got it, and while it looks vintage, everything appears almost new.

What might be causing a drifting zero and how can I fix it? It's not my primary scale but I want it as a reliable back up.

Send it to Paul . Problem solved.Tommy Mc

 

[Gil P.]

I'm aware there are some beam scale tuners on this forum, but I'm not sure of their names. What's Paul's name on this forum?

 

[Cap'n]

If you don't better describe the problem, you make it hard for anyone to offer sound advice. A tuned scale, if not being used or set-up properly will still give poor results.

 

[Gil P.]

Can you Describe a drifting zero with a touch more detail?
I may have an answer/direction for you

Yes I can, I level the scale on a level surface, no air currents, no a/c. The needle will at first point to level, but if I touch the pan and let it move up and down and settle itself, it will read high. I had an Rcbs scale in the past but gave it away. I never used it much after I got a digital scale and I never learned how to care for beam scales.

The Lyman scale looks very clean and well taken care of, no worn paint anywhere, not even on the scales teeth.

 

[Gil P.]

Is it on level surface? Wind from HVAC?

Yes and no wind, no a/c. I reload in the garage.

 

[Gil P.]

Have you cleaned the knives ,contact points ? Lubed w/ graphite ?

I have not. Where should I lubricate it? I assume I can use a lead pencil for the graphite?

 

[dolek]

I have not. Where should I lubricate it? I assume I can use a lead pencil for the graphite?

Correct, pencil works fine to get right in there where the knives make contact and the knife edge . You can run a Q-tip with alcohol to make sure the surfaces are clean first .

 

[Bc'z]

I drag a #2 pencil on knife edges after cleaning agates and blades with alcohol and Qtip.
Also check dampener blade opening to make sure no accumulation of metal particles or fibers from steel wool and the like.
My tuned beam scale has a small piece of electrical tape on dampener blade to impede the magnetic flow a little bit.

 

[K22]

Yes I can, I level the scale on a level surface

I had a similar problem with mine. When you say you leveled the scale is the scale housing level when the scale is zeroed? Let me explain.

Thanks to Boyd Allen, he helped me fix my issue.

First I used the manual adjustment screw to adjust the scale so the pointer was on zero. Then I placed a level on the scale body. The scale housing was not level when the pointer read zero. (As it turns out, this was the source of my problem of having the scale return to zero.)

Next I adjusted the scale so the housing was level which caused the pointer to be off (high in my case) a few .1's grain. With the housing level I removed the pan holder, disassembled it, and by trial and error removed a different size shot in the pan holder (starting with smallest first) until the pointer was zeroed. The result was the scale housing was completely level and the scale pointer read zero. (If it was reading low I would have added a few chips of plastic from a old credit card to add weight in the pan holder)

From that point on the scale always returned to zero. I keep a small level on the scale housing to verify that the scale housing is always in a level condition in case I bump it.

You're problem could involve a more involved fix such a reconditioning the knife edges but you may want to try the above "fix" first before embarking on sometime more elaborate.

 

[JFrank]

Yes I can, I level the scale on a level surface, no air currents, no a/c. The needle will at first point to level, but if I touch the pan and let it move up and down and settle itself, it will read high. I had an Rcbs scale in the past but gave it away. I never used it much after I got a digital scale and I never learned how to care for beam scales.

The Lyman scale looks very clean and well taken care of, no worn paint anywhere, not even on the scales teeth.

Sounds like a through cleaning is in order, ensure that each area of movement/ contact is gone over with a long Q tip and Alcohol inspection of the V groove main poise screw and washer, inspect that washer for a burr & ensure it’s riding in the very center of the V groove when zeroed, check your pan hanger is moving freely etc.
The fellas have you covered here pretty good so no need to cover the same ground.
Take yer time and report back
J

 

[Cecil S.]

Great advice given here. Clean that scale and use graphite you may be amazed at the difference. I was. You have a very good scale there.

 

[BoydAllen]

When I have used graphite, it was by lightly dragging the side of a hard pencil lead one time down each knife edge, no more. There should be no loose graphite.

 

[Richard Coody]

I would do all the things recommended above

But I would do one simple test just for peace of mind. A balance scale is very sensitive. My bet is one kernel of your selected powder will register on the scale. If it doesn't then it is time for Scott Parker

 

[dolek]

I would do all the things recommended above

But I would do one simple test just for peace of mind. A balance scale is very sensitive. My bet is one kernel of your selected powder will register on the scale. If it doesn't then it is time for Scott Parker

Have you had scott do work for you ?

 

[Liven The Dream]

Old Scale = Possible Weak Magnets ?
After all the above suggestion's have not worked ? New Earthen Magnets may be helpful ?
The Pan Hanger maybe part of the game ?

Best of Luck

 

[Richard Coody]

Have you had scott do work for you ?

Yep

Got an older
Ohaus 10-10
He tuned for me. Wasn't in a hurry though. A backup scale for the bad times.