Do you keep your scale on the same bench as your press?

[Balrog]

I was getting some erratic readings on my RCBS electronic scale, with a variation of 0.5 grains or so of Winchester 748, which should meter very consistently. I had my scale on the same bench as my Dillon 650. My bench is pretty heavy and immobile, but the operation of the press causes some mild vibration in the table. I decided to move the scale to a seperate bench and see what happened.

It seems this eliminated most of the variation, and I am now getting about +/- 0.1 grains (sometimes 0.2g) variation. I guess the vibrations and movement of the bench with the operation of the press was causing the scale to be imprecise?

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[James2]

A slight breeze will mess up the scale. Moving it to a different spot on the bench will often change the zero. I have not noticed the vibration of operating the press to bother it.

 

[1SOW]

Even a sturdy bench can transmit some of that strong leverage from a press.

I had the problem of drafts affecting the reading of my beam scale.

I made a box with one whole side that opens and exposes the whole scale. It sits on a shelf on the wall behind/over my reloading bench. Drafts don't reach it, it never gets moved and it has been very consistent since.

A handy shelf would prevent your vibration problem if it's possible in your situation.

Mine is virtually identical to RFWobbly's below.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=117957&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1268975308

 

[jr_roosa]

Mine sits on a windowsill in front of the bench at eye level. It's a beam balance so it works better up there. Drafts aren't really an issue and if it's breezy I close the window while I'm throwing powder.

The beam is nice because if there is a draft you can see it.

-J.

 

[Walkalong]

No. I keep it up out of the way of reloading/etc activities, as well as drafts.

 

[Bolo]

I keep my scale on a different table for the very reason you mentioned.

 

[The Bushmaster]

In as much as I weigh EVERY powder charge I drop. Yes...Right next to my press. It takes no more then seconds for my RCBS (24 years old) Powder Pro to settle after a pull on the press. Besides...It gives the scale two chances to settle on a weight. This old scale tends to be "repeatable" 99% of the time.

 

[fguffey]

I do not have a bench, no room, when I get something out I have to put it back, the wall is at least 3 foot away all the way to the ceiling, I use loading stands, one has 4 Herters mounted on it, another has a Dillon 550B on one side and a RCBS Rock chucker on the other, I have a Starrett 1 foot machinist level that is graduated in .001 thousands per foot for checking scales and I have scales that check scales if they are level.



F. Guffey

 

[fguffey]

and I have just make a trade for another Herters Super 3 of a different design, it has a hammer head boss that surrounds the ram and a spring loaded detente that prevents the handle from having a mind of its own, with tension the ram stays down when parked.

F. Guffey

 

[Tallinar]

My scale is on the same bench my press is attached to. I re-zero the scale before I start measuring; and I throw powder in all my cases before working the press; so I'm not sure it's an issue for me.

If I were measuring/seating each round individually before measuring/seating the next round, then I guess I could see the dilemma.

 

[Boxhead]

Mine sits on the bench with no issues and no digitals for me. I tried the PACT and gave up reverting to my 30 year old RCBS 5-10. Each of my rifle loads, which are are all hunting loads, are measured after throwing them. If they are low or high I remove or add powder with my fingers, no trickler for me (PITA) and never a problem. For my handgun shooting I use my Hornady progressive and do not weigh any charges after I know the thrower is dialed in. This for all of my handgun calibers except the 475 and 500 Linebaugh's and really stout 45 Colts which I still load on my 30 year old single stage RCBS Jr. My powder thrower and case trimmer are mounted on their own plywood bases that I C-clamp to the bench when I need to use them. Otherwise they are out of the way so there is room for other tasks.

 

[Jason977]

I built a stand for my powder measure, so I integrated a platform for the scale. The stand is rather heavy, with the base being 1/2" plate, and the vertical member is 1.5x1.5x1/8 square tubing. Even still it jiggles around a little. Not enough to affect the measurement, but I do have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't rattle off. I've considered using some sort of adhesive or "sticky tack" to hold it in place, but haven't bothered.

 

[oneounceload]

I use a balance beam scale - I just prefer the simplicity. I have pegboard on the wall above the bench. The scale sits at eye level on a shelf there where nothing has an effect on it. This was the easiest solution for MY set-up, as I weigh every rifle charge and check about every 20 pistol charges (all done on a single stage press)

 

[Boxhead]

I use a balance beam scale - I just prefer the simplicity. I have pegboard on the wall above the bench. The scale sits at eye level on a shelf there where nothing has an effect on it. This was the easiest solution for MY set-up, as I weigh every rifle charge and check about every 20 pistol charges (all done on a single stage press)

Well there you go. A peg board right in front of me and I'm clueless. I will join your club. Gracias.

 

[Win1892]

Are you using your electronic scale and your Dillon 650 at the same time?

I have my 650 and PACT on the same bench but I use the scale only with my single stage which is on another bench.

 

[Balrog]

Are you using your electronic scale and your Dillon 650 at the same time?

I had them on the same bench, about a foot apart, until yesterday. I would load a few rounds, test the powder charge on the scale, and continue. Now that I have the scale on a seperate table, my initial experience is that the variation in charge weights is much less.

 

[THe Dove]

I keep the scale on a different table by itself.

The Dove

 

[CHEVELLE427]

yes but when i have to check a round i have to turn the fan off , i have a rcbs electric and a beam scale also to check

 

[rfwobbly]

On a 1x4 wall-mounted shelf, just above the bench.

 

[qajaq59]

My scale lives in a drawer under my bench. When I need it it comes out. But I load all my cases and then seat my bullets, so the vibrations have no effect on it at all.

 

[Eb1]

I put my scale up when I am finished with it. It is a Lyman beam scale. I don't have a place for it to sit and be covered. I do not have it on the bench with my press. I also have all fans and traffic (children and wife) away from me when loading.