Old scale, old problem, although it worked fine when I got it. Pan has never been taken apart.
Then why not raise the scale up with the adjustment screw?
The adjustment screw on my RCBS 5-0-5 will raise the scale to move the pointer beyond the range limit. Picture below shows the adjustment screw turned out more than thickness of bottle cap and there's plenty more threads left.
One cause could be pan somehow got replaced with heavier than original pan. If that's the case, weights in the pan support could be removed to compensate as outlined by ArchAngelCD's post.
The adjustment screw on my RCBS 5-0-5 will raise the scale to move the pointer beyond the range limit. Picture below shows the adjustment screw turned out more than thickness of bottle cap and there's plenty more threads left.
If OP's scale looks like this and still needs bottle cap under the adjustment screw, there's something wrong.
That's the way it looks, and I do need the bottle cap under it. Then I can run the adjustment screw in just a little bit to zero it. I don't have check weights, but weigh a 50grn. bullet, a 125 grn. bullet, and a 170 grn bullet. They are all spot on, +/- one or two tenths. In between and at the end of of a loading session I move the weights on the beam back to zero just to make sure it is still on zero, and it always is.
One cause could be pan somehow got replaced with heavier than original pan. If that's the case, weights in the pan support could be removed to compensate as outlined by ArchAngelCD's post.
But since OP posted the scale worked fine before, I would suggest cleaning of agate stone bearings and posts just to ensure they are "free floating" and not binding with the knife edges of the beam. To clean the agate stones and posts, remove the covers and clean (especially the bottom of "V" notches) with alcohol. Also inspect the knife edges of the beam and clean as necessary.
bds, I did this a while back and it made no difference, also the pan is original, and has never been taken apart.
You cannot use bullets as check weights as they can vary by 1 grain to several grains depending on type and brand.
If your 5-0-5 has been working fine (with the same pan) and now requires you to max out your adjustment screw and put a bottle cap under it to zero, something must have changed.
Did you adjust the weights in the pan holder yet? Everything back to normal now?
ArchAngelCD, tried it and it works fine now! I removed three of what looked like #12 shot and that worked. How it got off will remain a mystery to me, but thanks again for your help!
