I am getting a 1/10 to 3/10 Gr fluctuation when I weigh the same load with this scale and I have no idea what is causing this and no clue how to fix it. This is an older scale but appears to be in very good shape (just not very accurate). Anyone have this type problem with one of thes scales? Not sure Ohaus would even mess with something this old. Thanks!
Fluctuating Ohaus 10-10 Scale
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lightman
Member
A 10-10 is considered a great scale.Have you ruled out air currents like fans and h&a ducts?Also,are the bearing surfaces clean? Lightman
rfwobbly
Member
Clean the gem stone pivots with a cotton swab and alcohol. Then look for rust on the knife edges of the pivot bar. The pivots aren't supposed to be able to cut you, but none-the-less fairly sharp. If there is rust, you can clean them up with careful applications of a diamond sharpening stone. Be aware that too much cleaning removes the paint that keeps them from rusting to begin with.
LiveLife
Member
I have the same Ohaus 10-10 model and +1 on the cleaning of the agate stones' "V" notches and the triangular "knife" edges. After I bought mine used at a gun show, I detail cleaned the scale including the stones. BTW, the stones are "free-floating" and don't worry if they move when you clean them. 
Here are some detail pictures.
Here are some detail pictures.I will try cleaning the stones and see if that helps. The triangular "knife" edges appear to quite sharp, but unless these old eyes are playing tricks on me one of the blades appears to be bent slightly. Think this might cause it to give false readings? I can get 10 correct and then 1 will be off a couple grains. I have also verified this with my Dillon digital scale. It appears that someone may have replaced the little metal pan holder with a homemade hanger. I just compared the one on this scale to another one on line and it doesn't appear to be an original part. If cleaning these parts doesn't fix the problem I will give Ohaus a call and see if they can take a look at it. Thanks for your help.
rfwobbly
Member
► To do what you describe, the beam has to have an element of friction induced by crud on the pivots, or rubbing out at the indicator end. The knives often appear not to be straight, but that has little effect since the gem stones "float" and find their own center under their stainless steel keepers.
► Don't forget that powder measures will vary more than a balance beam. You could in truth have 1 powder 'drop' that varies more than the previous 9, due to basic density or static issues. This is why I suggest powder measure averaging. For instance, if you desire 7.6gr per cartridge, then adjust your powder measure to 76.0gr with 10 "drops". Each individual 'drop' will be closer to 7.6gr, but none will ever be truly identical.
► Replacement parts mean absolutely zero IF the beam comes to a balance at 0 grains. That is the beauty of the balance beam design. No other special tools or techniques need be used IF the beam levels out when set to 0.
Hope this helps!
► Don't forget that powder measures will vary more than a balance beam. You could in truth have 1 powder 'drop' that varies more than the previous 9, due to basic density or static issues. This is why I suggest powder measure averaging. For instance, if you desire 7.6gr per cartridge, then adjust your powder measure to 76.0gr with 10 "drops". Each individual 'drop' will be closer to 7.6gr, but none will ever be truly identical.
► Replacement parts mean absolutely zero IF the beam comes to a balance at 0 grains. That is the beauty of the balance beam design. No other special tools or techniques need be used IF the beam levels out when set to 0.
Hope this helps!
TexasShooter59
Member
Lots of good info here. I'll have to subscribe to this thread so I can find it in the future.
So what you are doing is throwing charges on a powder measure and checking each one on your scale? If so, they will vary. You are measuring by volume on the PM and measuring the powder weight on the scale. The variation amount will vary depending on what type of powder you are throwing.
Here is what I do. Loading for pistol...all my charges get thrown. Of course, the charges get checked on a scale to verify. All rifles, hunting and target...I throw light and trickle up on a scale.
I use an old Ohaus scale, which is sensitive to one kernel of stick powder, ie R-15. I do have a digital scale that reads to the nearest .02 grain. I use it occasionally to check charges. In the past, I had a RCBS 750 and a Chargemaster combo. I sold both and went back to the beam. No batteries, no drifting, simple with no BS! I do use a electronic trickler though.
Here is what I do. Loading for pistol...all my charges get thrown. Of course, the charges get checked on a scale to verify. All rifles, hunting and target...I throw light and trickle up on a scale.
I use an old Ohaus scale, which is sensitive to one kernel of stick powder, ie R-15. I do have a digital scale that reads to the nearest .02 grain. I use it occasionally to check charges. In the past, I had a RCBS 750 and a Chargemaster combo. I sold both and went back to the beam. No batteries, no drifting, simple with no BS! I do use a electronic trickler though.
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I haven't used this scale yet with powder. I am just weighing the pan trying to get it to read "0" every time I place the empty gold pan on the holder. Most times it reads "0", but then it will show 2 or 3 grs. off. Seems to me this could be a bit dangerous reading if I was loading handgun or "hot" rifle load data. I have also tried using the weight that came with the scale to see if it would show the same each time I weighed it and had the same variation in readings. If it isn't going to read the same each time I throw a charge I'm not sure I want to use it.
Thanks to all for their input. I will let you know what I hear from Ohaus.
Just spoke to the "technical" support at Ohaus and was told the scale is no longer serviceable and if I needed any parts I should try RCBS. I tried to explain the problem and was told it would need to be recalibrated but due to the age of the scale they don't work on these scales any longer.
James2
Member
Who said static? Get a dryer sheet and rub down the Powder Measure and the outside of any funnel. It may also help to wipe the area around the scale on the deck. A little bit of static buildup can make any beam scale move.
Also, Nylon and Polyester clothes are more prone to generate static charges than cotton.
Have you ever poured powder through a plastic funnel and noticed some grains still clinging to the funnel? Same thing when you empty the hopper of the measure, some grains stick and don't want to fall out. That is caused by static electricity. Yes, it can be a problem for the reloader.
I have been sore tempted to ground the powder measure and scale to an earth ground. I haven't got around to it, but it is on the list of things to do. It may even be of some benefit to ground the operator?
Also air currents can be a problem.
Also, Nylon and Polyester clothes are more prone to generate static charges than cotton.
Have you ever poured powder through a plastic funnel and noticed some grains still clinging to the funnel? Same thing when you empty the hopper of the measure, some grains stick and don't want to fall out. That is caused by static electricity. Yes, it can be a problem for the reloader.
I have been sore tempted to ground the powder measure and scale to an earth ground. I haven't got around to it, but it is on the list of things to do. It may even be of some benefit to ground the operator?
Also air currents can be a problem.
"It may even be of some benefit to ground the operator? "
Just get a wrist strap for working on electronics.
It has a large value resistor (1 and 10 mega ohm are common values) to limit any Current that might flow through you if you touched anything electrically live.
The resistance has no affect on dissipating static.
Just get a wrist strap for working on electronics.
It has a large value resistor (1 and 10 mega ohm are common values) to limit any Current that might flow through you if you touched anything electrically live.
The resistance has no affect on dissipating static.
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