Dillon scale problem

[Yankee1986]

I have cleaned everthing at least twice with isopropyl alcohol, the knives appear good as does everything else but it it won't balance consistently at all. I've read some of the in depth threads on here on what to look for and try but I would like some advice before wasting time.
I purchased this second hand. I guess it's possible I don't have the original pan and this one isn't the correct weight.

 

[burrhead]

The white disk on the left side of the scale must be turned in or out to set the scale. Set the sliding poises to zero and turn the disk until the scale reads zero.

 

[drband]

Will it zero?

 

[nettlle]

If the ends of the knives are rubbing on something the scale will not balance consistently. Make sure the knives are centered on the bearings and the ends not touching anything.

 

[drband]

After studying the 1st picture a little more… the white disk under the scale is screwed out way too far. Screw it in until the scale reads zero with both poises set on zero.

The level you have on top of the scale is meaningless. Take it off/ignore it.

If you can’t get to zero by screwing the adjustment disk in, then you will know you have the wrong pan.

As @frogfurr noted, center the knives so they don’t rub on either side.

 

[Yankee1986]

The white disk on the left side of the scale must be turned in or out to set the scale. Set the sliding poises to zero and turn the disk until the scale reads zero.

I thought it was to level the scale itself.
I can turn it and make it line up but the scale itself is then not level.
I guess I'm just not comprehending what I read in the other threads.
So if It is consistent after doing this, I'm good?
I have check weights to verify the consistency.

 

[Yankee1986]

If the ends of the knives are rubbing on something the scale will not balance consistently. Make sure the knives are centered on the bearings and the ends not touching anything.

No bearings, unless that's the proper name for the wedges.

 

[nettlle]

The bearings are the "V-Blocks the knives set on. They are a bearing surface. These V-Blocks are made of agate on my RCBS 10-10.

 

[rocirish]

I thought it was to level the scale itself.
I can turn it and make it line up but the scale itself is then not level.
I guess I'm just not comprehending what I read in the other threads.
So if It is consistent after doing this, I'm good?
I have check weights to verify the consistency.

Yes you will be good once it lines up with zero. the top of the scale isn't going to be level.

 

[FROGO207]

You put the scale on a reasonably level surface. Then turn the knob until the pointer reads zero when all the sliding poises read zero. Then check with check weights. If you cant adjust it to zero in a reasonable range of adjustment you take the pan base apart and either remove or add weight until it zeros in the range you want with the adjuster set where you want it. The table being reasonably level front to back keeps the balance beam from sliding in the v blocks but adjusting it to zero is how you set it up.
Some will want the scale to be more stable and not move. You can flip the scale upside down and fill the voids underneith with weight. Old shot or bullets mixed with epoxy will hold it from moving. That is what I did to both my balance beam scales.

 

[Yankee1986]

The bearings are the "V-Blocks the knives set on. They are a bearing surface. These V-Blocks are made of agate on my RCBS 10-10.

Ahhh, makes pefect sense.
Despite the photo, mine appear to be made the same.
I read somewhere who made this one, can't remember the name but i believe it was well known one.

 

[Yankee1986]

Got it straighted out but when I take the pan off and set it back on, it only comes back to the 2nd picture.
Simply touching the end of the bar above the pan softly will bring it back in line.
Seems "sticky".

 

[drband]

Got it straighted out but when I take the pan off and set it back on, it only comes back to the 2nd picture.
Simply touching the end of the bar above the pan softly will bring it back in line.
Seems "sticky".
View attachment 1143401
View attachment 1143403

If the knives are shap and the ends are not touching the sides, it should zero when you put the pan back on. Examine the knife edges closely. A magnifying glass helpful. If not perfectly sharp, they can be touched up with a hone. If not perfectly sharp, the scale will be “sticky.”

 

[LiveLife]

Got it straighted out but when I take the pan off and set it back on, it only comes back to the 2nd picture.

Simply touching the end of the bar above the pan softly will bring it back in line ... Seems "sticky"

You are using the level wrong. The top of the scale doesn't need to be "level", rather the bench top surface the scale sets down on. It's probably what's causing your scale to not zero.

Once the bench top surface is level, you turn the white knob to "zero" the scale by placing the pointer on the zero line.

This is my Dillon Eliminator I recently got from a fellow THR member.

Before cleaning, mine too hesitated a bit to zero. I outlined my cleaning/zero/check weight verification steps in this thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/new-to-me-dillon-eliminator-beam-scale.913581/

BTW, it was made by Ohaus in the USA (No longer produced), same as my Ohaus 10-10.

Agate stone bearings "free float" on round posts and any dirt/residue/build up that can interfere with free movement of the agate bearings can bind the knife edge of the beam and affect return to zero.

Here are the dirty agate bearings and covers

And dirty posts

After cleaning with alcohol

Clean agate bearings and covers

Knife edges cleaned

After cleaning, scale verified Troemner 50 grains down to 0.5 gr check weights and returned to zero consistently

 

[Yankee1986]

You are using the level wrong. The top of the scale doesn't need to be "level", rather the bench top surface the scale sets down on. It's probably what's causing your scale to not zero.

Once the bench top surface is level, you turn the white knob to "zero" the scale by placing the pointer on the zero line.

This is my Dillon Eliminator I recently got from a fellow THR member.

Before cleaning, mine too hesitated a bit to zero. I outlined my cleaning/zero/check weight verification steps in this thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/new-to-me-dillon-eliminator-beam-scale.913581/

BTW, it was made by Ohaus in the USA (No longer produced), same as my Ohaus 10-10.

Agate stone bearings "free float" on round posts and any dirt/residue/build up that can interfere with free movement of the agate bearings can bind the knife edge of the beam and affect return to zero.

Here are the dirty agate bearings and covers

And dirty posts

After cleaning with alcohol

Clean agate bearings and covers

Knife edges cleaned

After cleaning, scale verified Troemner 50 grains down to 0.5 gr check weights and returned to zero consistently

Thank you very much. I will clean it again and would it be OK to polish the knives lightly with emory cloth?

 

[LiveLife]

would it be OK to polish the knives lightly with emory cloth?

I would just clean with alcohol first to see if zero is maintained.

 

[drband]

The less you do with the knives, the better. Just inspect them after cleaning again. You may be fine. If you see damage to the knife edge on either side, you can decide what to do. I am definitely not encouraging you to just start sanding or polishing on the knife edges. You would need proper hones to do so.