I dropped my scale

[Bazoo]

Well I took the scale apart and checked the bearings, looked for bends in the beam etc. got the magnets back in place and fixed the leveling screw.Got it to zero. I took a cheap electronic scale my wife had and weighed some match grade pellets I have. They are 8.2 gn and the electronic weighed them at 8. I put them on the beam and they weighed precisely 8.2. The scale returned to zero. I’m thinking I’m good to go? What do you guys think?

I'd weigh a few things and check a bit more, but I'd probably trust it.

 

[lightman]

Sorry to hear about your scale! If I had to replace my beam scale I would look for a nice clean RCBS 10-10.

 

[tominboise]

Digital scales are great in 70 F and warmer weather. When temperatures get cold, the things will drift. So I still have my Redding scale for when it is cold. Gravity still works, hot or cold.

If you search on Amazon, Ohaus beam scales are still being listed.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

I would look carefully at the graduations on the beam. The Ohaus 502 is like my Redding, where the graduations on the long part of the beam are in five grain increments. Thinking in base 5 has confused me in the past. The long beam is in 10 grain increments on the Ohaus 507.

Ohaus was the primary beam scale maker in the old days, the reloading companies simply purchased an Ohaus scale, had it painted their color, and added their label.

I have the same scale. It has weighed every charge I've ever weighed during my reloading career.

 

[Blue68f100]

If you don't have a set of calibration weights now would be a good time to get some. Then you can check the scale at multiple points compared to a standard.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

If you don't have a set of calibration weights now would be a good time to get some. Then you can check the scale at multiple points compared to a standard.

I was thinking the same thing Blue. I actually weighed another few match pellets of a different brand. They are 8.173gn. The 505 can’t get that fine but at 8.2 they showed slightly light so I’m feeling pretty confident I’m ok. I think I will find some calibration weights though. On a side note it’s amazing how consistent match pellets are for weight

 

[d31tc]

Looks like I’m in the market for a new scale. I’ve used the old RCBS beam scale for years. I knocked it of its shelf the other day and broke the leveling screw as well as knocking a magnet loose. I was extremely pissed off to say the least. So what should I get next? I don’t know if I trust electronics but what say you guys?

I did the same thing, knocked my RCBS off the bench and broke it. I was sick. *Sigh* Things happen though, good luck on your search.

Looks like scales are at risk around us like guns in a boat.

 

[MonkTx]

RCBS May offer to refurbish it for you if you ask them. It's worth a phone call.

I really doubt RCBS is going to repair a scale made by another company that stopped making them decades ago.

 

[Thomasss]

I don’t know if I trust electronics but what say you guys?

If you get an electronic scale, get the most expensive one you can find with the best warranty. Their expected life span is about 6 years and the poor quality ones are expensive too. Most are good to .1 grain. Also be aware they are susceptible from drafts like heating ducts and from electronic interference of florescent lights. I have a Hornady which is ok, except this time of year one has to allow them to warm up for 15 minutes before use. And Hornady reduced their warranty from lifetime to 6 months. And if you get a Hornady that drops powder charges, do not store any powder in it for longer than just dropping charges. The plastic will disintegrate with some types of gun powder over night.

 

[dannyd]

I was thinking the same thing Blue. I actually weighed another few match pellets of a different brand. They are 8.173gn. The 505 can’t get that fine but at 8.2 they showed slightly light so I’m feeling pretty confident I’m ok. I think I will find some calibration weights though. On a side note it’s amazing how consistent match pellets are for weight

The weights are great to have with any scale, I have a set of RCBS ones that work good.

 

[hdwhit]

I have RCBS 5-10 and 5-0-5 scales along with a pocket scale my wife got from a starve-yourself-thin diet program. They all read the same with a particular charge, so I trust them all.

I have dropped my 5-10 many times over the years, but the drops were all short distances so nothing was bent. After a thorough cleaning, it has always returned to agreement with the others.

 

[FROGO207]

Yes, check weights are a good investment for the reloader. Any of you reading this and only have a single scale it might be wise to look for and purchase a second one before yours fails. There are many second hand ones out there all you need is patience and what you want will show up before it becomes critical.

 

[Domino300]

I dropped my 5-0-5 about a month ago also, bent the leveling foot , called RCBS and they sent a new one with longer screw in foot. It was too long. I can get the scale to level screwed almost down with the old foot, new one too long. I have a 1500 Chargemaster powder dispenser, but I use the 5-0-5 to check with. I'm probably gonna get another scale also. The scales frame must be bent, can't figure out what changed, magnets, beam etc. seem ok.

 

[dartor]

I dropped my 5-0-5 about a month ago also, bent the leveling foot , called RCBS and they sent a new one with longer screw in foot. It was too long. I can get the scale to level screwed almost down with the old foot, new one too long. I have a 1500 Chargemaster powder dispenser, but I use the 5-0-5 to check with. I'm probably gonna get another scale also. The scales frame must be bent, can't figure out what changed, magnets, beam etc. seem ok.

Find a nut the same thread size, thread it on to the new foot. Cut the foot the same length as the original (Dremel tool would make fast work of it) and chase the cut threads with the nut. I strongly recommend a good check weight set also.