Beam scales

[gmorganal]

I only have two beam scales, an RCBS 10-10 and a 40-year-old Redding. The Redding has no magnetic dampening, but the RCBS is dampened. Is it just my imagination, or does the dampening cut down of the sensitivity of the unit?

 

[in2deep]

My 1010 shows deflection on the scale for each kernel of powder added and the dampening only comes in to play if the pointer end of the beam arm swings almost all the way up near the top where the magnet is otherwise it appears to be unaffected by it. Never used an un-dampened scale to compare so maybe mine is bouncing less than your old Redding but it's very accurate and responsive.

As long as each scale reads the same weight repeatedly that's all you can ask of a scale. Even if the 2 scales don't agree with each other exactly if you always use the same one your charge will always throw the same. My beam is 2/10 ths light from my digital but I compensate for it now that I know.

If you have a laptop get a cheap USB computer camera and set it in front of the beam scale pointer and it will allow you to see each kernel deflect full-screen on the monitor and really speeds up loading and makes trickling so much easier and more accurate than squinting at that little pointer.

 

[bozo699]

My 1010 shows deflection on the scale for each kernel of powder added and the dampening only comes in to play if the pointer end of the beam arm swings almost all the way up near the top where the magnet is otherwise it appears to be unaffected by it. Never used an un-dampened scale to compare so maybe mine is bouncing less than your old Redding but it's very accurate and responsive.

As long as each scale reads the same weight repeatedly that's all you can ask of a scale. Even if the 2 scales don't agree with each other exactly if you always use the same one your charge will always throw the same. My beam is 2/10 ths light from my digital but I compensate for it now that I know.

If you have a laptop get a cheap USB computer camera and set it in front of the beam scale pointer and it will allow you to see each kernel deflect full-screen on the monitor and really speeds up loading and makes trickling so much easier and more accurate than squinting at that little pointer.

Exactly!

 

[1066]

I agree - I don't think there is any substitute for a good beam scale. I have several old undamped scales and oil damped scales, some of them are unbelievably sensitive but none are as convienent to use as the modern magnetically damped scales. (I have around 25 beam scales)

I do, however, find the 10/10 tends to be a little over damped for my taste, leading to a sluggish action. I prefer to use my 502 scales, I find they are quite capable of single kernal sensitivity.

See them in action here:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnVOoGd1bDU

 

[in2deep]

1066,
did you extend the pointer on your beam? and if so have to add weight in the pan to compensate?
And do you think the smaller 505 type scales settle faster than the larger capacity 1010 type with the longer arms?

 

[1066]

1066,
did you extend the pointer on your beam? and if so have to add weight in the pan to compensate?
And do you think the smaller 505 type scales settle faster than the larger capacity 1010 type with the longer arms?

Yes - I extended the pointer with a brass dressmakers pin. It's set into a small cube of polystyrene to raise it clear of the scale arm. I had to re-zero the scale by adding a small amount of weight to the scale pan.

Here is a video of how I re-zero the scale pan:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOKJxe0FUTk

I think the 502/505 scales are more sensitive that the 10/10's but I also like the old Lyman M5, the forerunner of the 10/10. They are far more sensitive than the 10/10. I think they were the last of the great scales when they were designed/built by engineers not accountants.

I think there is scope for a new style of powders scale - I would like to design a scale with a capacity of only 100 grains just for weighing the average powder charge - The current standard beam scales typically weigh 500 grains but is used for 98% of the time in the 5-50 grain range.
A scale with a max of 100grains would be much more accurate and easier to use.

 

[BoydAllen]

Carefully sharpen and deburr the knife edges, and adjust the pan holder weights so that the scale body sits level when the beam is zeroed. Pick up the pan hanger and pan by the hanger hook so that the wire hanger is held in position on it, and reset the assembly on the pan hanger knife edges so that the edges are exactly at twelve o'clock on the inside of the hanger loops, which should be spread just enough so that they cannot shift along the length of the edges, but not so much that they rub where the edges end. Make sure that the ends of the main knife edges are not touching the agate retainers, and then hold your mouth just right. There is more, but that should get you started.

 

[Jon Leary]

When using a trickler the pan holder will catch a few grains when you are charging the case. My remedy was to make a pan holder from apiece of 3/16th rod, bent to shape and made to the same weight as the original. Any grains that fall out of the trickler will land on the shelf. Also the scale should be mounted so the press doesn't disturb it. My 2 cts

 

[bozo699]

When using a trickler the pan holder will catch a few grains when you are charging the case. My remedy was to make a pan holder from apiece of 3/16th rod, bent to shape and made to the same weight as the original. Any grains that fall out of the trickler will land on the shelf. Also the scale should be mounted so the press doesn't disturb it. My 2 cts

??? I am at a complete loss here, I have never had powder accumulate anywhere from my trickler other than in the pan where it belongs. Please explain in detail,....I am a slow learner
Wayne.

 

[Jon Leary]

My experience was when the pan is removed to pour the powder into the case a few kernals will sometimes fall out of the trickler and land on the pan holder. Jon

 

[markr]

YUCH! Beam Scales...First off they don't cost enoughn secondly they aren't suceptable to variances in voltage, thirdly, you don't have to re-calibrate often enough and there nothing to go wrong really...They're just not for me! 8)

 

[bozo699]

My experience was when the pan is removed to pour the powder into the case a few kernals will sometimes fall out of the trickler and land on the pan holder. Jon

Jon,
Welcome to the forum, with that being said and not saying this in a rude way but come on! when I remove the pan, powder falls from the trickler to the platform of the scales? and a electronic scale is exempt from this? your bumping into the trickler or bumping the bench or something, the electronic scale needs to have a trickler in conjunction with it also or you have a electronic drop/with scale which has a built in trickler. EVERYONE on this forum has done what you said,....dropped powder on there scale platform,....said a few choice words, cleaned it off and continued on. One must learn to pay attention as to what there doing and even then this phenomenon will occur from time to time no matter what scale you use.
Wayne.

 

[gmorganal]

Guys, thanks for all the good comments. I have purchased a Dandy Products trickler and prism, and I think I'm going back to a beam scale. I'm just not sure whether I'm going to use the 10-10 of the Redding or buy a new beam. If you were wanting the best new out of the box beam scales, which one would you purchase?

 

[BoydAllen]

Talk to the fellow that tunes scales (posts on this site) about which one would be the best ( of the two that you have) and send it to him for a tuneup.