• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

What new beam scales are good?

Spike A

Gold $$ Contributor
Hi all I’m just wondering if anyone has updated their scale lately …. I see older post about what scales are good but nothing recent so wanted to check in… I’m using a 20 year old rcbs and have been ok with it, but have been thinking about updating or getting a second and wondering what’s good out there? Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Spike
 
Hi all I’m just wondering if anyone has updated their scale lately …. I see older post about what scales are good but nothing recent so wanted to check in… I’m using a 20 year old rcbs and have been ok with it, but have been thinking about updating or getting a second and wondering what’s good out there? Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Spike
Which 20 year old RCBS scale do you have?
 
Hi all I’m just wondering if anyone has updated their scale lately …. I see older post about what scales are good but nothing recent so wanted to check in… I’m using a 20 year old rcbs and have been ok with it, but have been thinking about updating or getting a second and wondering what’s good out there? Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Spike
Hit up @sparker for a tuned beam, he's running specials on scales through Christmas.
 
A few years back my 50+ year old Ohaus died. I replaced it with a Lyman Brass Smith beam balance and have been completely satisfied with it.

It holds zero and it checks within + or - 0.1 grain as advertised, and often better when checked with calibration weights throughout the range of my use.

If you decide to go this route, three things I would recommend: 1) Keep it covered* to prevent dust accumulation in the pivots and knife edges, 2) Periodically clean the pivots and knife edges with a Q Tip and alcohol, 3) follow the instructions for the large counterweight placement on the beam when the balance is not in service.

* A plastic bag, custom cut to fit works great.
 
Last edited:
"3) follow the instructions for the large counterweight placement on the beam when the balance is not in service."

What might that be? I have 3 scales and none of them came with instructions on where to place that. What is the recommendatiion?
 
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
 
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
Guys like to lube their scale knife edges.....graphite ..

Danny
 
I like the RCBS/Ohaus 1010 scales. I bought one decades ago and it got destroyed by movers. I ordered another 1010 from Ebay. Maybe Chinese, maybe not, but it is a better scale than the new Redding #2 that I bought before going back to a 1010.


TnkMEKkl.jpg
 
I like the RCBS/Ohaus 1010 scales. I bought one decades ago and it got destroyed by movers. I ordered another 1010 from Ebay. Maybe Chinese, maybe not, but it is a better scale than the new Redding #2 that I bought before going back to a 1010.


TnkMEKkl.jpg
Is that the new one or old one in the image?

Danny
 
One of my scales is a Lyman that has a knob to turn that parks the beam in a lifted position that elevates the knives off the anvil. I do that when I am done using it and I keep a cloth over it when not in use.
 
I recently bought an RCBS 10-10 in great condition that I found at auction, flying under the radar with no bids for $50. Needed some minor calibration, but definitely an improvement over the RCBS M500.
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
166,325
Messages
2,216,626
Members
79,554
Latest member
GerSteve
Back
Top