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Please, scale advice needed quickly!

This morning I was carrying my RCBS scale 505 and fell on the stairs, falling hard on the scale. Now, it measures a range of bullet weights accurately, 40, 52, 75, and 125 all within normal limits but the screw foot that is used to level/zero the scale is screwed out a whole lot more than it was before.

I don't have a hundred bucks laying around to run out and buy a new scale. I need something inexpensive to use, and to check my 505 against.

A local shop has a Lyman Pocket Touch 1500, a Frankford Arsenal DS-750, and a RangeMaxx Mini Digital, all under 35 bucks. Any advice on which one is preferable?

Thanks in advance.
 
This morning I was carrying my RCBS scale 505 and fell on the stairs, falling hard on the scale. Now, it measures a range of bullet weights accurately, 40, 52, 75, and 125 all within normal limits but the screw foot that is used to level/zero the scale is screwed out a whole lot more than it was before.

I don't have a hundred bucks laying around to run out and buy a new scale. I need something inexpensive to use, and to check my 505 against.

A local shop has a Lyman Pocket Touch 1500, a Frankford Arsenal DS-750, and a RangeMaxx Mini Digital, all under 35 bucks. Any advice on which one is preferable?

Thanks in advance.
The choices you list, are in my opinion junk, don't waste your money.
Get a few known weights, recalibrate your scale after checking for mechanical damage, and go with it.
And don't be such a clutz next time!
 
The choices you list, are in my opinion junk, don't waste your money.
Get a few known weights, recalibrate your scale after checking for mechanical damage, and go with it.
And don't be such a clutz next time!

After I posted I thought, oh yeah! Read the reviews!

The RangeMaxx reviews are terrible. The other two are rated fairly high but if you read the reviews most of them mention drifting and not returning to zero. Hmm.

I cannot see any visible damage but the screw foot has to be screwed almost all the way out now in order to zero. I figure I must have bent the body. Of the scale I mean, not mine!

I guess as long as my 505 can return to zero repeatably and measure different bullets as expected, I'll just go with it and save my 35 bucks for another box of projectiles.

Hope I don't blow my face off! But seriously, I know what my charges look like in the cartridge case and I think I could spot a big discrepancy.

As far as not being such a klutz, well...
 
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I agree with getting check weights. They’re great to have, more accurate than another scale and can be used on any scale you own in the future. You could probably have one from Amazon tomorrow if you’re really hurting for time.
 
I agree with getting check weights. They’re great to have, more accurate than another scale and can be used on any scale you own in the future. You could probably have one from Amazon tomorrow if you’re really hurting for time.

+1 on this!
Did you check your scale on the same bench,same spot on bench as usual? If you zero your scale on a perfectly level and put it somewhere that’s not or visa versus it’s not going to read the same.
Check weights are a necessity anyway.
Wayne
 
I have the FA DS 750. It is difficult to trickle up, display often jumps .2-.3 grains (I only load to .1 grain variation when developing a load). I have to "tare" it often. When weighing charges I hve to weigh a charge, dump pan, check tare, set pan on scale and check zero reading. No florescent lights near, no EMF near, warmed up.
 
Put the scale on a known level surface. Put 125-175 gr bullet/check weight in the pan, move the weights to that number and zero the scale with the screw foot.
Remove the check weights and check the zero. Should be real close.
 
Put the scale on a known level surface. Put 125-175 gr bullet/check weight in the pan, move the weights to that number and zero the scale with the screw foot.
Remove the check weights and check the zero. Should be real close.
It's within.1 gr. with a light bullet, .2 gr. with a 125. Still, I'll get some check weights as suggested.
 
After I posted I thought, oh yeah! Read the reviews!

The RangeMaxx reviews are terrible. The other two are rated fairly high but if you read the reviews most of them mention drifting and not returning to zero. Hmm.

I cannot see any visible damage but the screw foot has to be screwed almost all the way out now in order to zero. I figure I must have bent the body. Of the scale I mean, not mine!

I guess as long as my 505 can return to zero repeatably and measure different bullets as expected, I'll just go with it and save my 35 bucks for another box of projectiles.

Hope I don't blow my face off! But seriously, I know what my charges look like in the cartridge case and I think I could spot a big discrepancy.

As far as not being such a klutz, well...
:)I don't weigh powder charges I throw them with a culver type powder throw from Harrel Brothers but I did have a Hornaday beam scale that I used to check my throws but have since gave that to my grandson to help him get started reloading and I bought a small digital scale from frankford arsnel for around 35.00 and I have a set of rcbs check weights and that thing is right on and have used it for a couple years so I would recommend that scale. It even comes with a check weight. Rich lee:rolleyes:++
I agree with getting check weights. They’re great to have, more accurate than another scale and can be used on any scale you own in the future. You could probably have one from Amazon tomorrow if you’re really hurting for time.
 
Now that you mention it, I remember reading that thread some time ago. Thanks for the reminder. Right now that scale is 19.99.
 
none

This morning I was carrying my RCBS scale 505 and fell on the stairs, falling hard on the scale. Now, it measures a range of bullet weights accurately, 40, 52, 75, and 125 all within normal limits but the screw foot that is used to level/zero the scale is screwed out a whole lot more than it was before.

I don't have a hundred bucks laying around to run out and buy a new scale. I need something inexpensive to use, and to check my 505 against.

A local shop has a Lyman Pocket Touch 1500, a Frankford Arsenal DS-750, and a RangeMaxx Mini Digital, all under 35 bucks. Any advice on which one is preferable?

Thanks in advance.
 
because these are .1 step function scales. terrible for accurate loading. a good beam is better than a cheap electronic.

I have the FA DS 750. It is difficult to trickle up, display often jumps .2-.3 grains (I only load to .1 grain variation when developing a load). I have to "tare" it often. When weighing charges I hve to weigh a charge, dump pan, check tare, set pan on scale and check zero reading. No florescent lights near, no EMF near, warmed up.
 
This morning I was carrying my RCBS scale 505 and fell on the stairs, falling hard on the scale. Now, it measures a range of bullet weights accurately, 40, 52, 75, and 125 all within normal limits but the screw foot that is used to level/zero the scale is screwed out a whole lot more than it was before.

I don't have a hundred bucks laying around to run out and buy a new scale. I need something inexpensive to use, and to check my 505 against.

A local shop has a Lyman Pocket Touch 1500, a Frankford Arsenal DS-750, and a RangeMaxx Mini Digital, all under 35 bucks. Any advice on which one is preferable?

Thanks in advance.

My guess is that when you dropped the scale the copper damper blade took a bit of a ding - you only need to have moved it a few thou to make the difference you are seeing. You can set the poises at zero and screw in your adjustable foot to about half way then rebalance the scale by removing a small amount of lead shot that is in the weight box beneath the pan - It would be advisable to check it through the range with proper grain check weights to satisfy your self that all is well.
 
Sir you could buy a 505 off ebay for the 35 dollars you wish to spend. Maybe even made in usa. Or post a wanted ad in the classifieds here someone that stepped into a fancy digital scale would probably gladly sell there old balance
 
Here's a picture I just grabbed off the net. See how the foot is extended so far? That's like mine now. It was never like that before. When zeroed it had no threads, of very few threads, exposed.

My question is, that hole in the beam I have indicated with a red arrow, is there supposed to be something in there like a weight? Mine is just an empty hole. I've had this scale for more than 20 years and never noticed that hole, or if it was filled with something.
 

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Here's a picture I just grabbed off the net. See how the foot is extended so far? That's like mine now. It was never like that before. When zeroed it had no threads, of very few threads, exposed.

My question is, that hole in the beam I have indicated with a red arrow, is there supposed to be something in there like a weight? Mine is just an empty hole. I've had this scale for more than 20 years and never noticed that hole, or if it was filled with something.

I don’t think so, at least not on my 5-10 or 10/10 I do have a old 502 and 505 but would have to dig for it.
Wayne
 
Here's a picture I just grabbed off the net. See how the foot is extended so far? That's like mine now. It was never like that before. When zeroed it had no threads, of very few threads, exposed.

My question is, that hole in the beam I have indicated with a red arrow, is there supposed to be something in there like a weight? Mine is just an empty hole. I've had this scale for more than 20 years and never noticed that hole, or if it was filled with something.

my question did the knives get damaged by my right arrow or did the brass colored piece get bent on beam itself by left arrow. Does the beam hit anywhere? If you see nothing bent I would clean it good, maybe put some pencil lead or graphite on the knives and I would buy check weights, there like $40 cheap!.... when it is zeroed use the check weights if it’s off see if it’s linear , if it’s off more than you want,.... for me any at all would be not be acceptable. But another scale! You might contact Sparker on here he might be able to direct ya he does amazing work on scales! There’s a 10/10 Scott tuned scale on for sale on this forum you should look into that option.
Wayne
0E6F3FAC-6A63-424A-88E3-FE1E4D4F7A07.jpeg
 

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