[blackops]

I weigh my loads on a flat bench where I do all of my reloading. Recently I took my scale to the cement floor and it weighed a little bit more than on my bench. It still stays fairly close to the zero, but not exact. Then I took it to my shooting bench and it read slightly lighter. I just don't get it. Obviously every surface is different and they are all fairly close, but I'm one of those OCD guys when it comes to accuracy. I'm getting ready to just buy a electronic scale. What do you guys think?

[Larry Burchfield]

Over my years of reloading I have discovered that any time you move your beam scales they should be rezeroed. If there is much dust in your reloading area you will have to take the beam out of the scale and clean the little pivots and then wipe the dust out of the slots that they sit in.

I also check the zero on my scales from time to time just to macke sure that everything is on the up and up. I might add that my 5-0-5 scales are the only ones that I have ever owned and they are over 30years old.

Hope this helps
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/RVN/67/68/69
DAV

[fguffey]

I do not know what 'slightly different' means, I level the scale first, end to end, side to side then zero, I would not expect the scale to zero the same every time I moved it. A 150 grain bullet weighs the same, on the floor, kitchen table, reloading bench etc.,

F. Guffey

[Master Blaster]

Gravity is more powerful closer to the center of the earth?????

Keep the scale on your bench, invest $20 in a set of Check weights.

[USSR]

...any time you move your beam scales they should be rezeroed.

+1. This is normal.

Don

[Historian]

+2 for rezeroing yor scale when you move it. I also recommend buying check weights. You will use them more frequently than you think.

Historian

"Democracy requires wisdom."

[Mr. Creosote]

I have an old 5-0-5, maybe 30 years old now. Receintly I noticed it not returning to zero everytime. A little high, a little low. I completly disassembled it and cleaned it. A little dishsoap and water. I took out the V blocks and everything. Once it was back together it works perfect. I guess dust and debre and even finger oils over time can affect its function. And like the others have said, Check 0 everytime you move it

[rcmodel]

+1 on cleaning them.
And leaving them where you zero them.

Best keep the 5-0-5's to check your new electronic scale.

The old balance-beam scale will be more accurate then the new one I betcha!

rc

[Floppy_D]

... and turn the fan off when you can't figure out why it won't zero at all. :o

[Schleprok62]

... and turn the fan off when you can't figure out why it won't zero at all.

Hehehehe.... truer words were never spoken... This is to include the ceiling fan too...

[fitz47]

If none of the advise has helped contact RCBS customer Service.They will if need be replace counter balanc scale or what you need. I juste returned thirty year old tools, replaceed no problem

[dagger dog]

I made a reference mark on the top of my bench, (just a dot with a magic marker) and I place the adjustment screw on that mark and position the scale the same. Then always zero.
The zero will change slightly even with the scale placed in the same spot every time.

Ther are warnings about placing the scale in proximity of electrical feilds, as they can influence the magnetic dampening and cause the scale to read off.

[rondog]

Quote:
... and turn the fan off when you can't figure out why it won't zero at all.

Hehehehe.... truer words were never spoken... This is to include the ceiling fan too...
And the HVAC vents too.

[Seedtick]

dagger dog - I made a reference mark on the top of my bench, (just a dot with a magic marker) and I place the adjustment screw on that mark and position the scale the same. Then always zero.

I use location marks on my bench also. If I bump and move my scale I can move it back to the same place on the bench where I zeroed it before I started the loading session. And I zero it before each session. Anal? maybe.

ST

[more forty fives]

I have the same scale and it had me wondering how accurate it was.I would weigh a 230 grain bullet but they varied.So i bought a little digital scale from midway for 20-30 dollars.And they matched.Waste of money no piece of mind!

[JCisHe]

There is a slight breeze from the basement window where I reload... not even enough to feel and it causes the scale to bounce slightly.

I zero it every time I move it and check it with weights every time I reload.

Call me overly cautious... I say, "I still have all my guns and fingers."

Good luck!

[ar10]

I have a 18" sq piece of polished 1" granite I salvaged off a floor from years ago. I level it, (it doesn't move much), and put my Ohaus beam and Lyman electronic on it. It stays level all winter while I reload. I use the 200gn check weight that came with the lyman to check each scale. The Ohaus actually reads better than the electronic.

[lgbloader]

Not much to add except a good old fashioned YUP.

And I zero it before each session. Anal? maybe.


Nahhh... I'd say that's par for the course, Mate.

LGB

[jim in Anchorage]

My Ohaus 5-0-5 [35 years old] works fine. I keep a Q tip at the bench and clean the pivot point Every time I use it. Zero,then just blow lightly on the pan-I want to see a return to zero every time.

[counterclockwise]

.
I glued a carpenters bubble level rescued from another device onto the frame of the 5-0-5 to keep an eye on level.
It does make a difference. I brush the beam, weights, and pans periodically to assure that dust has not settled more on one side than the other. If I relocate the 5-0-5 from one place to another, even on the bench, it is necessary to reset the pointer to the scribe line on the frame while under zero load, usually.

If you get a digital, keep the 5-0-5 in working order to back check it. My experience with digitals has been disappointing, but I have limited my purchases to the cheap ones. There may be some expensive ones that work OK.

[ranger335v]

As a side issue on scales, placing a beam scale on the bench makes it a lot harder to read than it need be. Make a shelf, or box, to hold it up about chin/nose high is MUCH better. And include enough room to place a trickler in the right place. Put your powder measure on a stand near the right end of the scale to simplifiy charging, done right you won't have to move to dump, weigh and charge cases.

Most of those who feel a digital is faster than a beam seem to be placing both the scale and measure in the wrong places. A decent magnetic beam scale used for powder, kept clean and properly leveled is as fast as a digital in application and will last forever if it's taken care of.

[ar10]

As a side issue on scales, placing a beam scale on the bench makes it a lot harder to read than it need be. Make a shelf, or box, to hold it up about chin/nose high is MUCH better. And include enough room to place a trickler in the right place. Put your powder measure on a stand near the right end of the scale to simplifiy charging, done right you won't have to move to dump, weigh and charge cases.

Sometimes being a shortass has its advantages. :D I don't have that problem.

[blackops]

I've have cleaned the 505 and now I keep my garage door closed. I noticed the slightest breeze throws it. Also I zero it before every sitting. Seems to be more accurate. Thanks for the help guys. Also do you guys think electronic scales are more accurate?

[ar10]

Also I zero it before every sitting. Seems to be more accurate. Thanks for the help guys. Also do you guys think electronic scales are more accurate?

Nope.

[Borg]

Get yourself a bullseye level and make sure your bench IS level. If you move the scale to where it isn't, it will be off.
Borg

[Maj Dad]

Bumped the scale. Re-zero. Nudged the scale - re-zero. Learn to leave it alone, or re-zero every time you Oops... Might not change it, but just might...
P.S. Whatever you do, do it again every time you weigh. I hold the beam down and stop the swinging of the pan and gently release it each time. It truly helps with consistency.

[Hud]

]As ranger335v said,Make a shelf, or box, to hold it up about chin/nose high is MUCH better. And include enough room to place a trickler in the right place.
My reloading bench is in the garage. My 5-0-5 scale & trickler sit in routed spaces on a walnut base with rubber feet. The scale resides on its base under a flat top plexiglass cover when not in use to keep dust off. Then is put on top of the case to get it closer to eye level and zeroed for use .
If Derek had the attachment feature fixed, I'd show ya.

[rfwobbly]

Also do you guys think electronic scales are more accurate?

"Accuracy" as in repeatability, or "accuracy" as in being on the number it says?

• I think that owning a cheap one of either is fooling yourself. So with both types most of the time you get what you pay for.

• If you really research and buy a scale of either type worth owning, then you probably don't need the other type!

[Matt3357]

If you are having problems with it acting like its sticky, there might be metal shavings in the magnet slot. I got mine used a few months ago and it was doing that and it even says in the instructions to be sure the magnet is clear of metal shavings as it will cause it to stick high or low.

Matt