I know I'm new to this forum, and I have talked to Scott years ago about tuning these types of beam scales, I'm not trying to take anything away from Scotts work and what he does, at all!!!! But I have over the years looked at the scales he tunes, and I have figured how to tune them myself, with in 500ths of a grain weight or less, usually 200hundreths, Scott is the master for sure!!!! and I appreciate his knowledge form what I have learned from talking to him, Scott can make a POS weight scale down to where it should be!! my introduction to the forum, and no I do not tune scales other than my own!!!!! so don't ask Thank you Scott!
On beam scales part two
- Thread starter sparker
- Start date
I just have to ask. Are you saying you can tune scales to read within 0.050 or 0.020 grain ? That would be hard to see on my beam scale.
danny
Silver $$ Contributor
The only thing that I have found that can't be fixed, and I mean really be fixed is the often found "hanging beam syndrome". That is, where you add a charge and the beam sometimes hangs, then starts working. It has been suggested to add something to buffer the beam where it comes to rest. I consider this more of a "workaround" way to stop this, almost like "fixing the symptoms".
Danny
I use my A&D Lab scale to tune my beam scales, it measures down to the 4th decimal point, I can get my beam scales tuned under half of a tenth of a grain easily and their usually spot on, When I load, I use 3 different scales to back up my powder charge weights, Call it OCD if you will!!!! I'll pick thru my powder pan and remove small bits of powder if needed to get my charge weights as prefect as possible, I'm a target shooter, I don't load for volume ammo, but precise loads for my rifles, now back to the old beam scales, I use a OHAUS M5 and a very old Redding beam scale on my bench along with my A&D, I also have a RCBS 10-10 and a RCBS 10 beam scale, {I do not use the RCBS scales anymore} these scales are very old scales not new production, their probably 20 yrs old or older, even my A&D is about 15yrs old, beam scales are mechanical measuring tools, they're not perfect and need tuned and tweaked to make them as accurate as possible, Scott knows how to do this very well!!! Danny, your right, but consider the cost of 1 of these beam scales compared to my lab scale that cost $1600 hundred bucks when I bought it!
I get the OCD deal with multiple scales, but a set of known check weights should have the one scale owner covered in terms of being balanced.
6.5 forever
Silver $$ Contributor
Absolutely. I don't balance mine to zero. I have weights and my scale is balanced at 41.5!!
Last edited:
sparker
Silver $$ Contributor
Scale Instructions:
Use the check weight value to set the level of the scale. Test this a few times for repeatability. Adjust your powder thrower to throw about 1/2 grain less than your desired charge weight. Trickle up to the mark each time. If you go past it, dump it back into the hopper and throw a new charge. This will deliver the most consistent charges. When not in use, remove beam from scale and keep dust off of it. Never use lube on the bearings or pivot knives.
Scott
Use the check weight value to set the level of the scale. Test this a few times for repeatability. Adjust your powder thrower to throw about 1/2 grain less than your desired charge weight. Trickle up to the mark each time. If you go past it, dump it back into the hopper and throw a new charge. This will deliver the most consistent charges. When not in use, remove beam from scale and keep dust off of it. Never use lube on the bearings or pivot knives.
Scott
danny
Silver $$ Contributor
I only set the scale to mechanical zero, then check results against check weights. That is the only way I'll do it.
Danny
Ive owned 4 or 5 beam scales a Lyman about 40 years ago. It was good. Dont remember the model. Traded it for sor other stuff. A newer RCBS 10-10 that got sent back and they replaced it with the new RCBS M1000. Really pretty cheap. Checked out ok with check weights. But I use a newer Redding No2. Its the most sensitive beam scale Ive ever used. It dampens slowly but its accurate according to my check weights. And it reacts with just a couple small kernels of powder.
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
So don't zero empty but zero with the check weight you sent with scale(bullet)?
In for answer…….
sparker
Silver $$ Contributor
I do it this way. My reasoning:
If the zero is off, as you move the poises away from zero the vertical displacement due to the error at zero increases. Whereas, if there is an error in the check weight value, the vertical displacement due to that error decreases as you move the poises back towards zero.
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
With you.
I once had a Scott scale.
I play with them also, have gotten good them. I don't need a Job.
Scott is the Commander and Chief................................
Wouldn’t 4 be even better?
You need three... one to weigh under, one to weigh over, and one to weight just right. Average those and you're on the money!
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