I have the answer that you are looking for. Your scale needs a tune up. There are several areas that will probably need attention. First, I would adjust the weights in the pan holder so that the frame of the scale is perfectly level when the pointer is exactly aligned with the index mark. Next, I would take a loot at the knife edges, looking at them straight on. This inspection will likely reveal shiny spots that indicate dullness. I was able to follow the existing angle of mine, sharpening them by hand with a coarse diamond lap, and deburring the edges with a piece of hardwood. The metal is soft. Before you put the sharpened beam back on the scale, you can use Q tips and alcohol to thoroughly clean the agates that they rest on. Next I would spread the wire hanger that the pan holder hands on just enough that it cannot shift on its support, but no so much as to impede its free movement. From there you can take a look at how accurately the it weighs a variety of weights that you have verified on a scale of known accuracy and greater precision. Adjustment of the weight of the sliding weight may by indicated. This can be done for test purposes with pieces of magic mending tape. leaving one end free to facilitate trimming off small bits. After the needed adjustment is determined, model paint may be substituted and scraped to final adjustment. When settin up the scale, make sure that the surface is pretty level both side to side and front to back. After mounting the beam to the frame, and the pan hanger and pan on the beam. pick up the pan/hanger assembly with your thumb and index finger, from under the loops that rest on the knife edges and set reset the assembly on the edges so that the edges contact the inside of the loops at 12 o'clock. While you are at it, make sure that the main knife edge'' sends are not rubbing on anything. That should keep you busy for a while. I have done a couple of scales, and a friend has done one following my directions. They all work as they should. You may have to touch up the knife edges from time to time, depending on how the scale is handled and stored. He has been very pleased with his since he fixed it up. One trick is to make up a test weight that weighs exactly the same as your pan and the charge you are using (using a paper clip for a handle, an some tape and odds and ends) , that way you can check your scale if you have doubts, without having to dump the powder from the pan. Just set it aside with the powder in it and test the scale with the weight. Electronic scales are good for some things, but I have not liked the affordable ones for such things as trickling up to a charge. There is one that I tried that was accurate enough, but some of its constriction details were too flimsy for my liking. All in all, I like a tuned balance scale better. If you do not feel up to tuning yours, there is a fellow in Bakersfield, Scott Parker I believe, that reportedly does a dandy job for about $60. If you do a search on this site, you will find his contact information. I hope that this book has not been too long for you. Good luck.