powder scale gift for new reloader. Is $125 wasted?

[Bart B.]

Just a question. How does one determine if a scale is repeatable without having a baseline weight reference to check the scale with?

It weighs the same thing the same number each time. 54.3 grains, for example. 20 to 30 times in a row.

On an expensive lab scale, 54.50961 grains. No problem.

Your bullets don't weigh exactly their stated weight, either.

Reloading is not an exact science. Too many variables in a given powder across all its lots to mandate exact weights of charges. Close but consistent is as good as it gets.

 

[Pwc]

I have a little Lyman pocket scale $24 and I use it to check my Pacific beam scale. Weights for the beam are right on. Just make sure the scale is level and in the environment (temp. and no air blowing on it) in which it will be used for at least 3 hrs. Don't take it from the house to the garage and expect it to be accurate when you turn it on.

 

[Depart123]

A little side trick for your beam scale...take a bit of iron filings and put them on the magnets next to the part that slides up and down in the slot. Tamp them down a bit flat with a popsicle stick so they don't touch the beam. Put powdered graphite under the pivots. Your beam will be more repeatable and sensitive.

When using my beam scale, I use a set of apothecary weights (Troemner) to zero the scale at or very near my charge weight.

 

[danny]

A little side trick for your beam scale...take a bit of iron filings and put them on the magnets next to the part that slides up and down in the slot. Tamp them down a bit flat with a popsicle stick so they don't touch the beam. Put powdered graphite under the pivots. Your beam will be more repeatable and sensitive.

When using my beam scale, I use a set of apothecary weights (Troemner) to zero the scale at or very near my charge weight.

I zero my scale by centering the beam reference mark to the scale body reference mark, and I have check weights. When centered, a scale that is working correctly will weigh corrrctly the whole range. That is how Ohaus and RCBS tell you how to do it.

Danny

 

[Depart123]

I zero my scale by centering the beam reference mark to the scale body reference mark, and I have check weights. When centered, a scale that is working correctly will weigh corrrctly the whole range. That is how Ohaus and RCBS tell you how to do it.

Danny

Then my extra bit of caution hinders nothing, right? I mean if it's really all the same?

 

[1066]

A little side trick for your beam scale...take a bit of iron filings and put them on the magnets next to the part that slides up and down in the slot. Tamp them down a bit flat with a popsicle stick so they don't touch the beam.

/QUOTE]

Can you explain that a bit more? or show a picture? I can't seem to imagine exactly what you're doing here.

 

[Depart123]

I'll post a picture when I get home.

But basically, I pulled this scale out of storage just for a change of pace one day. In the course of a couple of moves, the magnets that do the magnetic dampening had accumulated some iron or steel filings in the gap that the little metal piece attached to the beam rides in.

I was surprised how sensitive the scale was when I did some testing dropping single kernals on it. So, I cleaned it all up and removed the filings with a q-tip. The sensitivity and repeatability was pretty drastically reduced. I got some more iron filings and put them back on the magnets and the sensitivity returned. So...now they stay.

 

[Flouncer]

Insanity. Just get a $28 Lee scale. It's over. Holy Moly.

This >
I have a relative who is going to start reloading. A powder scale is on his Christmas list.
His primary loading will be hunting rounds like the .300 Weatherby Magnum.

 

[Depart123]

This is the iron filings.

 

[JFrank]

View attachment 1078259
This is the iron filings.

Have you tried a bit of caned air to carefully clean off the scale

 

[JFrank]

None of the balance beam scales are what they used to be. For quality workmanship, no matter the brand, you have to buy vintage.

In my opinion, the floating agate bearing, magnetic dampening of the early Ohaus's is a superior system to the hardened steel inserts. JMHO.

I believe both systems are effective as long as you keep them clean.
Tried shaving graphite dust on the agates with mixed results.