RustyFN
Member
I found the Lee scale to be very accurate. I didn't like that it will only weigh to 100 grains and it wasn't very user friendly for me. I do have a lot of other Lee products and love them.
Lee Safety Scale Haters...... Why?!?
- Thread starter Centurian22
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Fishslayer
Member
I had no problem using mine. A bit tricky to zero. Need good light to read it. Could use better damping. I can see where some wouldn't like it but no hate here. It works.
I rarely use it anymore since wifey bought me a Lyman digital...
I rarely use it anymore since wifey bought me a Lyman digital...
No hate here. I love mine. I can completely understand that if you have jittery hands, non-opposing thumbs, eyesight with a fixed focal length beyond 12 feet or weigh powder on your lap that you will have a hard time using it.
Have I offended enough people yet?
Oh yeah, if you are a Dillon snob or just hate Lee products on principle because the "right side of the bed" is up against a wall, I could also understand.
Have I offended enough people yet?
Oh yeah, if you are a Dillon snob or just hate Lee products on principle because the "right side of the bed" is up against a wall, I could also understand.
I am terrribly offended. *stomps around* 
Weighing powder in my lap shows how tough I am! When I was a kid we only had rocks to throw, that's the way it was and we liked it!
My LCT sits right next to my Dillon 650, and the Lee is the one getting the work out lately.
Weighing powder in my lap shows how tough I am! When I was a kid we only had rocks to throw, that's the way it was and we liked it!
My LCT sits right next to my Dillon 650, and the Lee is the one getting the work out lately.
Yarddog
Member
I basicly use mine to verify my digital scale & set up my powder thrower ; )
Y/D
Y/D
I got a safety scale in my kit when purchased and have found it to be quite usefull.
Without it, any time a slight breeze came by all my notes would go flying everywhere.
It works but it didn't take me more than a week to go digital. All my reasons have already been posted by others. And I ain't old..
Without it, any time a slight breeze came by all my notes would go flying everywhere.
It works but it didn't take me more than a week to go digital. All my reasons have already been posted by others. And I ain't old..
I could never get mine to match a digital scale in multiple weighing. I could take a digitally measured weight of 6 grains and dump it on the LSS and it would be plus a grain, dump it back on the digital to find it's still is at 6, put it back on the LSS and it would be minus a grain. All without touching the scale except to pour the powder.
Bottom line - digital scales are more accurate and just as inexpensive now days - no reason to even bother with a LSS anymore.
Bottom line - digital scales are more accurate and just as inexpensive now days - no reason to even bother with a LSS anymore.
"I could never get mine to match a digital scale in multiple weighing. I could take a digitally measured weight of 6 grains and dump it on the LSS and it would be plus a grain, dump it back on the digital to find it's still is at 6, put it back on the LSS and it would be minus a grain. All without touching the scale except to pour the powder.
Bottom line - digital scales are more accurate and just as inexpensive now days - no reason to even bother with a LSS anymore."
You need to use a "known" weight to check the scales. 50 grain check weight for example. The scale that doesn't read 50 is the bad one. Just dumping the same unknown charge in each only tells you they are repeatably accurate, but not absolute accuracy.
Bottom line - digital scales are more accurate and just as inexpensive now days - no reason to even bother with a LSS anymore."
You need to use a "known" weight to check the scales. 50 grain check weight for example. The scale that doesn't read 50 is the bad one. Just dumping the same unknown charge in each only tells you they are repeatably accurate, but not absolute accuracy.
I have one that I put back in the box almost immediately after getting it. I guess my fingers are just too clumsy but I had a terrible time trying to make fine adjustments. I don't blame the scale. I just had a hard time with it.
Hondo 60
Member
Way too fiddley & slow to stop for me.
In fact just for giggles I bought a Lyman/Ohaus & WOW what a difference!
It's much easier to set, & stops bobbing much faster than my Lee Safety Scale.
But having said that, both are plenty accurate.
So if all you have is a Lee, it works, just a lot slower.
In fact just for giggles I bought a Lyman/Ohaus & WOW what a difference!
It's much easier to set, & stops bobbing much faster than my Lee Safety Scale.
But having said that, both are plenty accurate.
So if all you have is a Lee, it works, just a lot slower.
I was tempted to post here, but as I am already accused of Lee "hate" for telling what happened to me, and as so many others have related all that I would say, I won't add to the list of the "scale is basically not that good, a pain in the rear and there are MUCH, MUCH better scales out there". Hmmmm....I always wonder why telling the TRUTH is considered "hate". Unless the person hates the TRUTH getting out!
"You need to use a "known" weight to check the scales. 50 grain check weight for example. The scale that doesn't read 50 is the bad one. Just dumping the same unknown charge in each only tells you they are repeatably accurate, but not absolute accuracy."
Yes I understand what you are saying - however I never even got around to checking accuracy because I couldn't get a repeatable reading.
Yes I understand what you are saying - however I never even got around to checking accuracy because I couldn't get a repeatable reading.
FROGO207
Member
I own one of the Lee scales and it works well. I also have an Ohaus 10-10 and the RCBS 505. I loaned the Lee scale to a new reloader after showing him how to use it. Said when you get one of your own and don't need it any more I will use it to start yet another reloader. He is happy with it and not buying anything 3 years later. It is light and the vernier scale is hard to understand if not schooled in it's use, but for the price it is hard to beat it accuracy wise.
It is light and the vernier scale is hard to understand if not schooled in it's use, but for the price it is hard to beat it accuracy wise.
SSN Vet
Member
I'd sure like to know who makes a better scale for the same money.
OP
OP
Centurian22
Member
Ok, everyone who is talking about how light the scale is: Are you talking just about the beam or the whole thing? Mine has a metal base, I wouldn't call it really heavy but it certainly doesn't move anywhere without significant impact (deliberate or accidental). With so many people slamming on how light the LSS is I have to wonder if they didn't change the design of the base between your experience and mine. I agree the beam is light but not the base.
+1 to SSNVet. Anmut: I have heard just as many people say that the inexpensive electronic/digital scales are inaccurate as I have heard people bash the LSS.
Again I appreciate everyone's input to help me understand this. I have learned that (doubtful as it may be) if I ever look to replace my LSS I will look to an Ohaus for the claimed greater ease of use and quicker settling.
+1 to SSNVet. Anmut: I have heard just as many people say that the inexpensive electronic/digital scales are inaccurate as I have heard people bash the LSS.
Again I appreciate everyone's input to help me understand this. I have learned that (doubtful as it may be) if I ever look to replace my LSS I will look to an Ohaus for the claimed greater ease of use and quicker settling.
SSN Vet
Member
It's always had a metal base that I'm aware of.... but it is about half the size of a 505 or similar balance beam scale. Some of the better, lab grade, beam scales also have a heavy base plate.
When the scale is heavy, a little bump won't move it.
The Lee scale, though metal, is (imo) still pretty light. I personally can't move the sliding poise without having to brace the scale base and beam arm with my left hand.
I've always had good finger dextarity though, so this has not been a problem for me.
It always seems to be the case on line, that people want to chest thump about how their XYZ is bigger and better than you XYZ. I wouldn't be into reloading unless I could get "value" equipment like Lee produces. So I'm very happy to cruise right along with my Safety scale (and borrow the expensive digital lab scale from work )
When the scale is heavy, a little bump won't move it.
The Lee scale, though metal, is (imo) still pretty light. I personally can't move the sliding poise without having to brace the scale base and beam arm with my left hand.
I've always had good finger dextarity though, so this has not been a problem for me.
It always seems to be the case on line, that people want to chest thump about how their XYZ is bigger and better than you XYZ. I wouldn't be into reloading unless I could get "value" equipment like Lee produces. So I'm very happy to cruise right along with my Safety scale (and borrow the expensive digital lab scale from work
)I never said my Lee scale was junk or inaccurate, I just found it difficult and frustrating to operate. I like my 5-0-5 far better. And FWIW, 99.5% of my reloading gear is Lee. The press and all dies, priming tools, and so on. I think only my scale, bullet puller, case trimmer, and a powder measure are the only non-Lee items I have. Maybe a couple others, but most of my money went to Lee.
FROGO207
Member
Flip the base over and fill the open part underneath with 5 minute epoxy/lead shot mix after blocking off the area that needs to be left open for the dampening arm so it can still move. The heavy base will help you considerably. I did this with mine years ago.
ljnowell
Member
Honestly? Many people hate it solely because its made by Lee. There are a few members here that will openly bash anything that isnt blue. Others will just hate on Lee. The fact is if it werent for Lee there are many that would never be able to get into reloading, or take it as far as they have.
I know, I may sound biased, and I will openly admit that. I have two lee presses, a lee scale, several sets of Lee dies, lee hand autoprime, lee autoprime for on press priming, etc. I have never had any issues with my Lee equipment, and will continue to buy it.
I know, I may sound biased, and I will openly admit that. I have two lee presses, a lee scale, several sets of Lee dies, lee hand autoprime, lee autoprime for on press priming, etc. I have never had any issues with my Lee equipment, and will continue to buy it.
Ehtereon11B
internet infantryman
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2012
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- 983
I have one but I use it rarely. I have a cheapo Salter digital scale that I use to weigh every powder charge. I use the Lee scale to check every 5th or 10th load. My biggest complaint with it is how long it takes to zero the scale. Other than that I have found it to be very accurate, just slow when you want to load X number of rounds.
jcwit
member
Sensitive is one thing and a good thing granted. Being so light its impossible to change the settings without holding it down so it doesn't jiggle/move/slide all over the place is an entirely other thing and NOT a good thing.
With all the Lee equipment I have, and I do have a bunch, the Lee Scale is the only item I have issues with.
I can not imagine what it would be like weighing every charge using the Lee Scale.
With all the Lee equipment I have, and I do have a bunch, the Lee Scale is the only item I have issues with.
I can not imagine what it would be like weighing every charge using the Lee Scale.
Fire_Moose
Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2012
- Messages
- 371
I agree its a little.....finicky.
I have never had to hold the base while adjusting the read our deal. I use the finger nail of my index to just bump it slightly. Sometimes the arm will get off kilter, sometime I have to pull the arm and feel for the groove to sit in. But other then that it works wonderfully in conjunction with my cabhellas digital.
Sent from my CZ85 Combat
I have never had to hold the base while adjusting the read our deal. I use the finger nail of my index to just bump it slightly. Sometimes the arm will get off kilter, sometime I have to pull the arm and feel for the groove to sit in. But other then that it works wonderfully in conjunction with my cabhellas digital.
Sent from my CZ85 Combat
aerod1
Member
I have a Lee Safety Scale, two RCBS 5-10 and a Cabelas digital. For 25 bucks the little Lee is a bargain! Mine has always worked great.
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