Best balance scale available?

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jski

jski

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Looking for the best balance scale available. I know the RCBS 5-0-5 was one of the best but RCBS is selling something else nowadays. The 5-0-5 was made by Ohaus. Don’t know who makes RCBS’s latest offering?

Question: What about the Ohaus 10-10? Are they still being made?
 
I have both the RCBS 10-10 and the Ohaus 10-10. Other than having a different shaped base unit they have the same balance arrangment. The best part is the rotary weight for single grains that is infinately adjustable. If you can find one used in the $100 range get it.

If you get a newer type you can fill the base with old lead bullets or shot and epoxy to add weight. This will make it more stable and therefore more accurate.
 
Likely the best balance I have is between an old RCBS 5-0-5 and an old Lyman M5 made by Ohaus with a lean towards the M5. I would look used and old because most of what is out there today, as far as powder scales is not very good stuff.

Ron
 
According to Lee Mfg, their p.o.s. scale is superior to all others!

Joking aside, ebay is a treasure trove of high quality vintage scales.

I purchased an Ohaus 10-10 a couple years ago and a Lyman D-7 got dropped off a few days ago. Both are dead on accurate and both come to balance quickly.
 
jski said:
Looking for the best balance scale available. I know the RCBS 5-0-5 was one of the best but RCBS is selling something else nowadays. The 5-0-5 was made by Ohaus. Don’t know who makes RCBS’s latest offering?

Question: What about the Ohaus 10-10? Are they still being made?
Click to expand...
OHaus quit making them in 2001 if I’m not mistaken.
My 10-10 was very good
My Lyman D-5 is very good
My Lyman M-5 is very good
My OHaus 10-05 is very good but sticky
 
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mrawesome22-250 said:
According to Lee Mfg, their p.o.s. scale is superior to all others!
Click to expand...
Actually, Lee safety scale has higher engineered resolution than my Ohaus 10-10 and RCBS 5-0-5 with .1 gr resolution.

In actuality, my two Ohaus 10-10 and Lee are slightly more sensitive down to 1 piece of 1/4"x1/4" 20 lb copy paper (~.05 gr) while RCBS 5-0-5 more consistently detect 2 pieces around .1 gr.

But Lee scale is slow because it lacks the magnetic dampening of 10-10 and 5-0-5. So technically, it is more superior to beam scales designed like 5-0-5. ;)

But my .02 gr resolution American Weigh Gemini-20 digital scale with actual sensitivity down to 1 piece of 1/4"x1/4" 20 lb copy paper registering .04 - .06 gr (Yeah, the .02 gr resolution thing) is more repeatable than even Ohaus 10-10 and Lee beam scales - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...tal-scale-for-the-money.841900/#post-10932746

jski said:
Looking for the best balance scale available. I know the RCBS 5-0-5 was one of the best but RCBS is selling something else nowadays. The 5-0-5 was made by Ohaus. Don’t know who makes RCBS’s latest offering?

Question: What about the Ohaus 10-10? Are they still being made?
Click to expand...
No, the USA made Ohaus 10-10 is no longer being made. RCBS used to make 10-10 in the USA but couple of years ago moved manufacturing down to Mexico and initial review of Mexican made RCBS 10-10 was not good as USA made scales.

If you are looking for Ohaus quality 5-0-5 like scale, take a look at Dillon Eliminator scale that AFAIK is still being made in the USA by Ohaus with same 5-0-5 features and sold by Dillon for $89.99 + $16.99 shipping - https://www.dillonprecision.com/eliminator-balance-beam-scale_8_7_25215.html

Extreme Reloading is selling the Eliminator for $83.99 + $22+ shipping - https://www.extremereloadingnv.com/product/dillon-precision-eliminator-beam-scale/

Of course, regardless which scale you buy, I highly recommend the use of check weights.

Most reloader's check weight sets (in grains) only go down to .5 gr. Lyman set for $33 - https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Shoote...6RCK1W2K8KH&psc=1&refRID=XC5RBYR616RCK1W2K8KH

You can buy $13.49 check weight set (in milligrams) that goes down to 10 mg (and use 1 mg = .015 gr conversion) - https://www.amazon.com/Bekith-Preci...CNC7MZHAPKP&psc=1&refRID=5W5CVPMSXCNC7MZHAPKP

I use Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weight set (in milligrams) from Zoro (Division of Grainger) for $83 - https://www.grainger.com/product/OHAUS-500mg-to-1mg-Calibration-Weight-5RDA0
 
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South Prairie Jim said:
My OHaus 10-05 is good but sticky
Click to expand...
Beam scales like Ohaus 10-10 and RCBS 5-0-5 work on agate stone bearings that must be clean and free float on posts.

How to clean/tune/zero your 5-0-5/10-10 beam scales:

- Remove the bearing covers with a Phillips screwdriver (see pictures below)
- Make sure the posts the agate bearings free float on are clean
- Clean the agate bearings, especially the "V" notches
- Re-install the covers
- Clean the knife edges
- Level the bench surface using a bubble level at 90 degrees
- Turn HVAC/vent off and close the window/door to the room as any ambient air movement will affect scale reading/zero
- Place the powder pan on the pan support
- Set poises to zero
- Adjust the leveling foot so the pointer is at the zero line

Ohaus 10-10 knife edge on agate stone bearing with cover on and off

index.php


RCBS 5-0-5 post that agate stone "free floats" on

index.php

If the balance beam doesn't move freely and repeat zero, remove the covers and inspect/clean the stones and posts along with checking the knife edges on the beam. Once knife edges and agate stone bearings are free floating, the beam scale should detect addition of 1/4"x1/4" piece of 20 lb copy paper which weighs about 0.05 gr and definitely 2 pieces weighing about 0.1 gr (This is what I used to check accuracy of scales before I bought Ohaus Class 6 check weights that went down to 1 mg = 0.015 gr).

My Ohaus 10-10 beam scale showing sensitivity to 2 pieces of 1/4"x1/4" copy paper (BTW, vertical lines at pointers are in 0.2 gr increments) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-busting-digital-scales.821449/#post-10551544

index.php
 
Excellent information, I’ll go ahead and save this thread.
I have a thing for beam scales and actually fairly good at tuning them but not great..... I’ve had this 10-05 completely stripped cleaned and re assembled, I’ve sharpened the knives very carefully with a fine stone and this thing is so sensitive it’ll weigh like a single kernel also carful to keep the vane running true to the magnets blah blah everything is perfect for several rounds than it starts sticking. No joy !!
Sorry for the derail.
J
 
Regardless of your choice a set of check weights is useful to zero the pointer and eliminate any doubt. I have a set of Lyman’s.
 
Lots of fine old scales on eBay from time to time. Redding No. 2, Bonanza No. 1, Ohaus, etc...

They will all work with more than good enough resolution for reloading. Just make sure the balance points and knives are clean and that the scales repeat consistently. Check weights, as noted, are good to have in the range of the charges you typically weigh.

There are electronic scales with good repeatability, but they are pricey. But... if you've got the funds, why not!

As mentioned, even the Lee scale is accurate enough, it's just harder to read, and with no damping it takes a while to settle.
 
LiveLife said:
Actually, Lee safety scale has higher engineered resolution than my Ohaus 10-10 and RCBS 5-0-5 with .1 gr resolution.

In actuality, my two Ohaus 10-10 and Lee are slightly more sensitive down to 1 piece of 1/4"x1/4" 20 lb copy paper (~.05 gr) while RCBS 5-0-5 more consistently detect 2 pieces around .1 gr.

But Lee scale is slow because it lacks the magnetic dampening of 10-10 and 5-0-5. So technically, it is more superior to beam scales designed like 5-0-5. ;)

But my .02 gr resolution American Weigh Gemini-20 digital scale with actual sensitivity down to 1 piece of 1/4"x1/4" 20 lb copy paper registering .04 - .06 gr (Yeah, the .02 gr resolution thing) is more repeatable than even Ohaus 10-10 and Lee beam scales - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...tal-scale-for-the-money.841900/#post-10932746


No, the USA made Ohaus 10-10 is no longer being made. RCBS used to make 10-10 in the USA but couple of years ago moved manufacturing down to Mexico and initial review of Mexican made RCBS 10-10 was not good as USA made scales.

If you are looking for Ohaus quality 5-0-5 like scale, take a look at Dillon Eliminator scale that AFAIK is still being made in the USA by Ohaus with same 5-0-5 features and sold by Dillon for $89.99 + $16.99 shipping - https://www.dillonprecision.com/eliminator-balance-beam-scale_8_7_25215.html

Extreme Reloading is selling the Eliminator for $83.99 + $22+ shipping - https://www.extremereloadingnv.com/product/dillon-precision-eliminator-beam-scale/

Of course, regardless which scale you buy, I highly recommend the use of check weights.

Most reloader's check weight sets (in grains) only go down to .5 gr. Lyman set for $33 - https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Shoote...6RCK1W2K8KH&psc=1&refRID=XC5RBYR616RCK1W2K8KH

You can buy $13.49 check weight set (in milligrams) that goes down to 10 mg (and use 1 mg = .015 gr conversion) - https://www.amazon.com/Bekith-Preci...CNC7MZHAPKP&psc=1&refRID=5W5CVPMSXCNC7MZHAPKP

I use Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weight set (in milligrams) from Zoro (Division of Grainger) for $83 - https://www.grainger.com/product/OHAUS-500mg-to-1mg-Calibration-Weight-5RDA0
Click to expand...

Excellent info. I own an older 505 and I have people ask me all the time what they should buy. I tell them to look for an older 505, but its good to know that the Dillon is virtually the same scale and for a reasonable price!
 
I've had my Redding for for almost 50 years, used it a lot. I sent it back about 20 years ago just to be ck'd out, came back calibrated and on the money. hdbiker
 
My Lyman D7 with tungsten carbide knife and V is accurate and sensitive. But it tends to walk the knife in the V blocks and when it touches the frame, it isn't reading anything right. I have been getting by with a PACT digital for some years.
 
mrawesome22-250 said:
According to Lee Mfg, their p.o.s. scale is superior to all others!

Joking aside, ebay is a treasure trove of high quality vintage scales.

I purchased an Ohaus 10-10 a couple years ago and a Lyman D-7 got dropped off a few days ago. Both are dead on accurate and both come to balance quickly.
Click to expand...
My Lee scale gives exactly the same answer as my RCBS 5.0.2.
 
You would if you had a set of “check weights” , onliest way to know for sure ;)
 

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whughett said:
You would if you had a set of “check weights” , onliest way to know for sure ;)
Click to expand...
What if the check weight was wrong? Ultimately, somebody's scale gets to be the authority. Lee's capacity is 110 grains, about 7 grams, so common check weights aren't useful with it. Trust is established within that range by agreeing with other scales with the capacity for check weights. My weights are 20 grams and 30 grams. The RCBS 5.0.2 handles the check weights, and the Lee is right there with the RCBS after the check.
 
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Guys, with my dubious experience with digital scales, I’ve become convinced you need to get an expensive digital scale to match the precision and reliability of a good analog (balance beam) scale.

I’ve had a MyWeight GemPro 250 for 3 years, which is supposedly one of the best less than $200 scales, and it has been a constant source of frustration to me.

I have an RCBS 5-0-5 and am getting a Ohaus 10-10 off of eBay.
 
jski said:
Looking for the best balance scale available. I know the RCBS 5-0-5 was one of the best but RCBS is selling something else nowadays. The 5-0-5 was made by Ohaus. Don’t know who makes RCBS’s latest offering?

Question: What about the Ohaus 10-10? Are they still being made?
Click to expand...
I just bought this one and couldn't be happier Screenshot_20200306-164300.png
 
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