Looking for a new scale - Suggestions...

[SlowFuse]

Dude. There's a lock on it. Set the weight were you want it, then press the little button in.

Yes Gloob I know. The lock only works right when I have it on the high side of the scale. That's what I was meaning by stiff, it feels like it should. The low side seems to lock but it feels looser than the other side. After a few rough press strokes (pulling out of the Lee expanding die) it usually works loose. I've thought about claiming warranty but am ready to just move onto something else. I may get it repaired for a backup.

I'll keep in mind what dickttx mentioned. I don't have much space besides the bench the presses and other equipment are already mounted on. But, a scale doesn't take much space so I'm thinking a small section added but not connected to the main bench will work to reduce interference.

 

[StretchNM]

Slowfuse, my little Lee scale is going on 5 years old, and still locks up tight. I can;t really see what yours is doing since that hasn;t occurred to mine yet. Still, I would call Lee and let them know. They'll probably send you a new beam.

But with that much vibration - I mean enough to have the poise moving around even if it's unlocked, - I'm thinking the bench needs some work. What's the deal with all that vibration? I know there's a "pop" when coming back down out of an expanding die, but that shouldn;t have any effect on the rest of your equipment.

Just food for thought - I'll say it again - I really don;t think you can beat the Lee for accuracy. For mental peace of mind, however, buy the most expensive scale you can get your hands on. I've seen that work for people before... on all variations of purchases.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Yes Gloob I know. The lock only works right when I have it on the high side of the scale. That's what I was meaning by stiff, it feels like it should. The low side seems to lock but it feels looser than the other side. After a few rough press strokes (pulling out of the Lee expanding die) it usually works loose. I've thought about claiming warranty but am ready to just move onto something else. I may get it repaired for a backup.

I'll keep in mind what dickttx mentioned. I don't have much space besides the bench the presses and other equipment are already mounted on. But, a scale doesn't take much space so I'm thinking a small section added but not connected to the main bench will work to reduce interference.

Mounting the scale on the wall on a shelf at eye level works best. If it is away from the bench you can get close to the scale, too.

Lee probably won't replace the beam, but the whole scale. I have two Lee scales and if I switch pans, neither will zero. (Of course, they were probably made decades apart.) I never tried switching beams.

Lost Sheep

 

[Searcher4851]

I'm using an old Ohaus 10-10 scale currently. I really like thethe "fine tuning" with the threaded weight. (and the fact that you can lock the weight in place) I've used other beam scales, and this is my favorite.

Regardless of wether you go beam type or electronic, unless you have a rock solid bench, you're much better off isolating your scale from the bench. I have mine sitting on a shelf mounted on the wall next to my press. It sits at eye level and I can get my face right up to it. (quite handy for my old eyes)

 

[Lost Sheep]

I'm using an old Ohaus 10-10 scale currently. I really like thethe "fine tuning" with the threaded weight. (and the fact that you can lock the weight in place) I've used other beam scales, and this is my favorite.

Regardless of wether you go beam type or electronic, unless you have a rock solid bench, you're much better off isolating your scale from the bench. I have mine sitting on a shelf mounted on the wall next to my press. It sits at eye level and I can get my face right up to it. (quite handy for my old eyes)

Exactly my recommendation. With a strong light on it, too.

I have never felt the need to lock the threaded weight in place, though. It stays put very well once I have set it and is easy to see that it has not changed. (Not at all like the sliding vernier weight on the Lee Safety Powder Scale).

 

[G11354]

I started with the Lee Safety Scale and upgraded to the RCBS 5-0-2 and im very pleased with it.

The 502 dampens quickly and is easy to read, well worth the money invested. A number of people also like the Lyman scale.

 

[Rogue35]

I LOVE my 30+ year old RCBS 5-10. There is a guy over at ARFCOM in the EE that has one for sale for $55 shipped.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I started with the Lee Safety Scale and upgraded to the RCBS 5-0-2 and im very pleased with it.

The 502 dampens quickly and is easy to read, well worth the money invested. A number of people also like the Lyman scale.

I like the RCBS 505 a little better than the RCBS 502 because of the additional adjustment on the beam.

Question?
Why does the RCBS 502 scale weight up to 505gr and the RCBS 505 scale weight up to 511gr? Wouldn't you think the 502 scale would weigh up to 502gr and the 505 would weigh up to 505gr? Or, just name the 502 scale a 505 and rename the 505 scale to a 511 scale. Just askin... Just to make things worse, the RCBS RC130 scale does weigh up to 130gr and the RCBS 1010 scale does weigh up to 1010gr!!!

 

[kingmt]

Unless there is a day that the is no electric I will never go back to a beam scale.

 

[Certaindeaf]

There'll always be gravity.

 

[fguffey]

http://www.opticsplanet.com/ohaus-adventurer-pro-precision-balances-ohaus-av212.html

I had a question about check weights, I have an Ohaus set with 40 pieces +, the set, I am told is no longer sold, covers grans, grams, apothecary and mg, to put the set together out of individual sets could cost $400.00, +. I was thinking of replacing the (missing) 2 gram weight, then? Then I decided I could do without it after getting a price.

I had no ideal aluminum and stainless are preferred over brass when it comes to accuracy. I did not ask if brass evaporated or wore out, I have wondered why an expensive set of weight would come with a cheap aluminum tweezer, a good pair of tweezers would/could and scratch aluminum and brass brass weights.

F. Guffey

 

[fguffey]

Purchasing Scales:

Purchasing scales:

I have attended the Dallas Market Hall Gun Show looking for parts, on multi occasions I have left there with enough parts to build a scale set for as little as $12.00. The parts I do not use is not a waste of money, then there is purchasing reloading equipment from estate sales, no clue how parts get scattered, with scales the sum of the parts exceed the price of the scale making repairing a scale with missing parts not financially practice.

F. Guffey