Lee scale question

[Publius1688]

Forgive my ignorance.
On the base/bottom of my Lee balance scale, on the left hand side, is a small metal tab. It's, say, no more than 1/16", and sticks out from the base. Should this be there? Should it sit upon the top of my bench, or should I place it in a hole for stability?
I assumed it was for stability, and hollowed out a hole with a nail set for it to sit in.
I'd post a pic, but I'm not very savvy, and anyone who owns a Lee scale should know what I'm talking about.
Thanks in advance, fellows.

 

[dmazur]

It's not mentioned in Lee's instructions, but I'm guessing it is one leg of a tripod. Lee uses a "zero poise" on the beam rather than a leveling foot to zero.

RCBS scales have a leveling foot on the L end which forms one leg, and two bumps on the R end that form the other legs.

Tripods will always touch at 3 points, unlike a 4-legged object like a kitchen table. So, if you're trying to design a support system for something that isn't supposed to rock, you'd put three bumps on the base instead of four.

While you can certainly put the tab in a hole in the table, it will defeat the tripod and the rest of the base might just rock, unless it is absolutely flat and the bench top is also flat.

 

[Hondo 60]

a picture would be able to clear this up in a jiffy.

 

[matrem]

Mine has it, and it levels out just fine without "sinking" it into the bench.

 

[jfh]

Mine has it too, and dmazur's explanation is the currect one.

Jim H.

 

[Publius1688]

thanks, guys.