Beam scale
- Thread starter Nomes
- Start date
CoalCrackerAl
Member
If it works well. Why replace it? I use digital scales. But i keep my Lyman beam scale on hand too.
MarshallDodge
Member
If it is consistent then why change?
It's a good idea to keep a beam scale clean, especially the bearing surface. I keep mine in a cabinet when not in use.
It's a good idea to keep a beam scale clean, especially the bearing surface. I keep mine in a cabinet when not in use.
bihj
Member
If you have money that is burning a hole in your pocket, and that's how you want to spend it, sure, replace it. Send me the old one, I'll put it to good use.
I have a Lyman that was purchased new 40 years ago. Piece of garbage.
I also have a Redding that is much older than that, and it's a NICE piece! Much more precise and better made. Moves a LOT more freely than the Lyman. Has a dipper/paddle that goes down into a pool of oil that dampens its very free movement. Gives extremely precise results. It's the only scale/balance I use.
I also have a Redding that is much older than that, and it's a NICE piece! Much more precise and better made. Moves a LOT more freely than the Lyman. Has a dipper/paddle that goes down into a pool of oil that dampens its very free movement. Gives extremely precise results. It's the only scale/balance I use.
Yep, I too have a Redding No. 1. I don't use it much anymore, sometimes oil is messy. Last time I checked it, with mineral oil in reservoir it was right on with check weights. Taken care of and they will last beyond The Rapture. Have no Idea how old it is...
HowardC
Member
I also have the Redding beam scale N2omike describes along with a Herter's Model 5 "Technical Ballistic Laboratory" hehe, torsion wire balance. I use both depending on my mood. I'm pretty careful with the torsion wire scale so as not to damage the frog-hair wire. Both scales check well against both calibration weights and a small electronic scale. The only bad thing, if it is, is that the oil from the reservoir seems to capillary out of the well and eventually coat the entire scale. I think the crinkly finish on both contribute to the oil flow. Maybe if I used some heavier oil, such as the 30 wt noted in mike's picture it might alleviate the problem. I've always used clean mineral oil, which is pretty light viscosity. So, yes, they are a little messy...
Also makes me wonder whether Herter had Redding make his scales. But, I suppose crinkly finishes were pretty common in those days.
-West out
Also makes me wonder whether Herter had Redding make his scales. But, I suppose crinkly finishes were pretty common in those days.
-West out
I use heavy motor oil, don't fill it all the way to the top, and don't have any issue with it seeping out. Could even use gear oil. The thicker the oil, the better it will dampen... with no loss in accuracy. I don't even own an electronic scale. I prefer the manual balance. I believe my dad picked this up used at a gun show 40+ years ago for cheap. Glad he did! I'm 55 and started reloading with a Lyman Spar-T turret press before I had my driver's license. Lyman was pretty low quality compared to RCBS, Redding, etc back then. But, sometimes 'cheap' is a quality overcoming many faults. lol
Have since upgraded the Lyman powder measure, scale, case trimmer, etc. But ironically, replaced the old Spar-T turret press with the new Lyman turret. MUCH nicer piece, minus the priming system. Later found it was a copy of one that Redding sells. lol Lyman seems to have stepped things up a bit since back then.
HowardC
Member
Aye, thanks for the comments, Mike. I'll try that. Biggest issue is cleaning up the scales. That's a pain..!!
-West out.
-West out.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
I went back in time with my last press purchase. I think i got the last ''new'' one available. I forget if i got it from Cabela's or Amazon. One of them was out of stock. It was this set here.
www.midwayusa.com
Lyman T-Mag 2 Turret Press Expert Kit
The Lyman T-Mag 2 Turret Press has been reengineered and upgraded to offer unmatched versatility, power and precision. The T-Mag 2 offers: a high-tech...
www.midwayusa.com
LiveLife
Member
My Ohaus 10-10 is probably similar in age and I do not plan on replacing it as it verifies check weights down to 0.1 gr - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-unlimited-budget.912629/page-2#post-12465906
Get yourself ASTM Class 6 Troemner check weight set for $29 (Made in USA) and if scale verifies accurate, I would keep the scale - https://www.amazon.com/Troemner-151...icate-Stainless/dp/B078H9VQ5Z/ref=sr_1_8?th=1
FROGO207
Member
I also have an Ohaus 10-10 that is my main scale. I clean it gently once a year and it has maintained it's accuracy since about 1968 when I got it used. If yours is accurate it will probably outlast you.
Otto
Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2007
- Messages
- 2,261
Some people will never give up their beam scale. Sort of like the folks that still write checks at the grocery store and carry a flip-phone. Beams are accurate to a tenth of a grain and that’s not good enough (for me).
I obtain .02 gn +/- accuracy from my digital. And I use Apple Pay at Costco
frogfurr
Contributing Member
I would never verify a beam scale with an electronic scale but would not hesitate to verify an electronic scale with a beam scale. I would never verify a dial caliper with an electronic caliper but wouldn't hesitate verify an electronic with a dial caliper. You can see where I am going here.
I do not own and electronic scale. It's not because of my purchasing inability with cell phones or at grocery stores. It's because of the reviews I have read about them.
I do not own and electronic scale. It's not because of my purchasing inability with cell phones or at grocery stores. It's because of the reviews I have read about them.
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MarshallDodge
Member
The argument of digital vs beam always seem to come up in these discussions.
Digital scales are accurate if you use them correctly and soooo much faster than a beam scale.
Digital scales are accurate if you use them correctly and soooo much faster than a beam scale.
I don't write checks or have a flip phone but I do use an Ohaus 10-10 after using a digital with dispenser for years. Digitals are fine as long as they are designed well and can tolerate air currents and fluorescent lights. Mine also got glitchy. I only use the beam scale to set my weight on the micrometer stem in my powder dispenser. Using the dispenser with micrometer is oh so fast, easy and accurate.
Mountainman2
Member
I have a RCBS 502 that I have used for years and it works good for me. I also have check weights I use all the time. It’s not real fast but I have the rest of my life and I hope it is a long one.
Chuck R.
Member
How about good enough to see the impact of a kernel of H4831...
Is that accurate enough for ya?
Just a cleaned up 50+ year old 10-10 with a little magnification.
deadeye dick
Member
I use a flip phone AND pay cash with American money and use a beam scale. Just me!
theotherwaldo
Member
I picked up an Ohaus triple beam scale for weighing the heavier stuff like bullets and such, and use a basic Lee scale for checking powder.
Gravity has not changed much in the last 50 years.
I don't trust electronic scales when the weather is cold. Had too much scale drift with modern electronic scales. That is when I take out this Redding. The only trick is to remember the scale on the left is in 5 grain increments. The one on the right is tenths of a grain.
I don't trust electronic scales when the weather is cold. Had too much scale drift with modern electronic scales. That is when I take out this Redding. The only trick is to remember the scale on the left is in 5 grain increments. The one on the right is tenths of a grain.
frogfurr
Contributing Member
My 10-10 has outlived several flip phones.
