Best balance scale available?

[JFrank]

Well that’s a lot to take in and I thank you very much, you seem to be singling out one weight and discounting the other , I know what works for me, I weigh to a single kernel and shoot benchrest accuracy using check weights that repeat on multiple scales. I won’t continue this conversation any further to avoid arguments.
I do stand by my position

 

[LiveLife]

you seem to be singling out one weight and discounting the 20.03 gr

As I already posted, I would not consider using a porous material that could absorb moisture as a check weight.

I do use 1/4"x1/4" pieces of 20 lb copy paper to test sensitivity of scales (I like to see detection with 1-2 pieces) but not as check weights to verify the accuracy of scales.

I know what works for me, I weigh to a single kernel and shoot benchrest accuracy using check weights that repeat on multiple scales.

Well, that I agree with as OP asked, "Best balance scale available?" and that is a beam scale that repeatedly verifies check weights stored clean and handled with tweezers to reduce surface contamination.

But not paper business card that can collect moisture, dust, finger oils, etc. as a "general" reloading practice as not everyone reloads in environmentally stable conditions.

 

[JFrank]

OK
Thank you

 

[JFrank]

To me for reloading, accuracy of .1 gr resolution of beam scales was good enough to load consistent rounds, even for record setting match shooting and 1000 yard Palma matches for decades.

My Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weights have following tolerances (1 mg = .015 gr) - http://www.uniquetek.com/store/696296/uploaded/calibration_weight_tolerances.pdf

• 100 mg - 1 mg (.0154 gr)
• 50 mg - 0.5 mg (.0077 gr)
• 20 mg - 0.5 mg (.0077 gr)
• 10 mg - 0.5 mg (.0077 gr)
• 5 mg - 0.2 mg (.0030 gr)
• 2 mg - 0.2 mg (.0030 gr)
• 1 mg - 0.1 mg (.0015 gr)

Unlike most "reloaders" aluminum check weights that go down to .5 gr, hopefully my Ohaus stainless steel check weights that go down to 1 mg (.015 gr) will oxidize slower.

 

[JFrank]

Why would anyone need a .0015 check weight for a scale that only resolves .1 gr

Why add a winky

 

[Skgreen]

How do you verify the accuracy of the check weights ???

All of my scales are reasonably close to each other. I'm more concerned with the consistency of the readings vs. the actual weight.

 

[LiveLife]

Why would anyone need a .0015 check weight for a scale that only resolves .1 gr

Actually it's 1 mg check weight that weighs approximately 0.015 grain and that's what comes with the Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weight set.

0.0015 gr is the weight tolerance for 1 mg check weight for Class 6 check weights

ASTM Class 6 check weights have following tolerances (1 mg = .015 gr) - http://www.uniquetek.com/store/696296/uploaded/calibration_weight_tolerances.pdf

• 1 mg - 0.1 mg (.0015 gr)

That small of weight allowed me to verify how low of check weight my 0.02 grain resolution Gemini-20 digital scale went down to as it verified 2 mg (0.03 gr) check weight but not 1 mg (0.015 gr) check weight.

Why add a winky

My winky was in response to Old Stumpy's comment on oxidation of check weights

Perhaps they will oxidize over time and weigh less then.

Unlike most "reloaders" aluminum check weights that go down to .5 gr, hopefully my Ohaus stainless steel check weights that go down to 1 mg (.015 gr) will oxidize slower.

 

[Reloadron]

I am sorry but I would not consider anything like paper fiber that could absorb ambient moisture as "check weights". I wonder if there is a single pharmacy that uses business card as their check weights?

Years ago we had a thread all about this, including paper squares. I left some paper squares out on a try while I showered and in just that short time they gained weight just from the high humidity environment. You want accurate numbers? Then you invest in some decent standard weights. Also, as you mentioned standard weights are divided by class and when buying a good quality set you pay for a cert sheet. Most basic powder scales do what they were intended to do just fine. A little TLC and maintaining them and they give decades of reliable service.

Ah, matter of fact you started the one thread about digital scales.

Ron

 

[Reloadron]

Years ago we had a thread all about this, including paper squares. I left some paper squares out on a try while I showered and in just that short time they gained weight just from the high humidity environment. You want accurate numbers? Then you invest in some decent standard weights. Also, as you mentioned standard weights are divided by class and when buying a good quality set you pay for a cert sheet. Most basic powder scales do what they were intended to do just fine. A little TLC and maintaining them and they give decades of reliable service.

Ah, matter of fact you started the one thread about digital scales.

Ron

Have no idea. Wanted to add an Edit and managed to quote myself.

Ron

 

[JFrank]

UNCLE!!!!


Gents
All I’m saying is anybody can create their your own weights, it’ damn sure isn’t rocket science to varify an object.
Please move on.
J

 

[LiveLife]

Ah, matter of fact you started the one thread about digital scales.

Yes - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...tal-scale-accuracy.759750/page-4#post-9591790

All of my scales are reasonably close to each other. I'm more concerned with the consistency of the readings vs. the actual weight.

No, we found from the myth busting thread that unless you have a known standard to verify the scale, accuracy could not be confirmed by using another scale (unless that scale was verified accurate using a standard).

So two scales reading close to each other is like two watches telling the same time. Thing is, both could be telling the wrong time. Unless a scale is verified with known standard like check weight, preferably at the weight range being used, we won't know if it is accurate even though it is repeatable.

Most beam scales pivot the knife edge on free floating agate stone bearing. If the posts the stones free float on are not clear/clean and the stones' "V" notches are not clean, beam scale's ability to repeat zero and read accurate may be affected.

Since Lee claimed their Safey scale was sensitive to .1 gr, I have used 1/4"x1/4" of 20 lb copy paper to test sensitivity of scales. I figured if a scale detected 1 to 2 pieces compared to 2 to 3+, it was more sensitive.

Interestingly, during the myth busting thread, we found out each 1/4"x1/4" piece should weigh around .05 gr and two pieces around .1 gr. So those with check weighs that only go down to .5 gr could use two pieces of paper to come close to verifying sensitivity of scale to .1 gr.

"The weight of the paper ( under average conditions ) outlined by the squares below demonstrates the degree of smallness of .1 (A/aj) and 1 grain units ... Not to be used for calibration" - http://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/SA2056.pdf

​

 

[JFrank]

Again
All that matters is repeatability, build and load with the same scale. Presto’ cannot get any easier.
BTW .1 gr is six kernel of Varget

 

[LiveLife]

anybody can create their your own weights

Yes, with more inert material that's handled without contamination.

Paper business card?

No.

 

[JFrank]

Yes, with more inert material that's handled without contamination.

Paper business card?

No.

Get off of the card pal

 

[LiveLife]

Get off of the card pal

OK.

BTW .1 gr is six kernel of Varget

Which six kernels of Varget as shown below?

Extruded cut powders are not always cut to same length or shape. For reloading, we talk about stacking of tolerances and if you get 6 short granules vs 6 long granules, you will get different weights, especially identifiable by higher resolution scales.

 

[JFrank]

These six kernels

 

[JFrank]

Can ya see um in there ??
So when you tell me you weigh your charges to .1gr ( essentially to within six kernel)
then trash me ??
Comonman.....

 

[LiveLife]

Extruded cut powders are not always cut to same length or shape. For reloading, we talk about stacking of tolerances and if you get 6 short granules vs 6 long granules, you will get different weights, especially identifiable by higher resolution scales.

I just weighed 6 different kernels of Varget on my Gemini-20 digital scale (with cover on to block air movement) and got the following readings:

• .14 gr
• .10 gr
• .12 gr
• .08 gr
• .10 gr
• .08 gr
• .12 gr
• .08 gr
• .14 gr
• .12 gr

So I guess "about" .1 gr ... with .06 gr swing.

 

[JFrank]

Atta Boy
Look at you go now!

 

[LiveLife]

Looking for the best balance scale available. I know the RCBS 5-0-5 was one of the best ... 5-0-5 was made by Ohaus.

What about the Ohaus 10-10?

OK, since .1 gr resolution is good enough for reloading, if beam scale is reading "around" .1 gr with 6 kernels of Varget ... I guess we could call the scale "good enough".

 

[JFrank]

During our ceasefire , I’ll suggest looking into a Redding #2 beam scale as a quality unit .
J

 

[LiveLife]

I believe the Dillon Eliminator scale I recommended is still being made in the USA by Ohaus with same 5-0-5 features - https://www.dillonprecision.com/eliminator-balance-beam-scale_8_7_25215.html

 

[Hondo 60]

50,000(?) members?
50,000 answers.

My 2¢ worth is pretty much any balance beam from Ohaus.
YMMV

 

[irishlad]

I have a RCBS 5-0-5 and one that came in a rock chucker kit, the RCBS M500. Both are accurate with my check weights.

 

[fotheringill]

Re: check weights

I cheaped out on the set I purchased. Don't repeat my mistake. Some of the set are dead accurate when checked against an electronic scale and some not so much.