Lyman 500gr Balance scale 2 grains off??

[Bull Nutria]

I have had this 45 years. I have a set of check weights. I weighed the check weights and 40 gr of check weight weighs 42 gr?? a 150 gr bullet weights 152 grs??

In the past this scale has been super accurate. Is there a way to correct or calibrate for this problem?

Bull

 

[LiveLife]

Did you zero the scale?

https://www.lymanproducts.com/media/catalog/product/7/7/7752222_pro_500_scale.pdf

 

[Bull Nutria]

Yes i tried to balance but it doesnt want to actually go to zero. thanks for the instructions. Got any ideas?? it doesn't look bent or damaged that i can see??

Bull

 

[RKRCPA]

I recall reading somewhere about an issue with the pan not being the proper weight. Something about BB's under the pan bottom???

 

[unwashed]

My Hornady scale has two weights at the end of the scale, does the lyman have those? If not it may be hard to balance it.

This is not my scale, mine is 30 years old but it's the same way. For illustration only.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hornady-balance-beam-scale?ds_e=MICROSOFT&ds_c=Shop|Generic|AllProducts|High|SSCCatchAll&msclkid=0becdb33ace712538749bbc275ce01c7&gclid=0becdb33ace712538749bbc275ce01c7&gclsrc=3p.ds

 

[JFrank]

I have had this 45 years. I have a set of check weights. I weighed the check weights and 40 gr of check weight weighs 42 gr?? a 150 gr bullet weights 152 grs??

In the past this scale has been super accurate. Is there a way to correct or calibrate for this problem?

Bull

Clean with Alcohol and a Qtip

 

[unwashed]

Clean with Alcohol and a Qtip

That may work but a scale that old must have a lot of wear. I know my scale pan handle is so thin from all the handling, it must of lost some weight. The part that the scale tilts on also must have wear from all that rocking up n down. All that can lead to it being not calibrated and the benefit of those weights at the end of the scale. Come to think about it, after reading this thread, I should check my scale which I bet is not calibrated after 30 years.

 

[Boomholzer]

You might have worn or damaged agate bearings. I have had that happen. The mfg can send you replacements.

 

[AJC1]

If it's off two grains across the range pull the pan hanger and remove a few shot. If its empty file off material till its correct. Easy day.

 

[unwashed]

This thread really got me curious, so I calibrated my 30 year old hornady scale and it is also off by 1 grain. But as you can see, all I have to do is adjust the weights at the end to calibrate it. I agree with AJC1, either add or remove weight.

 

[Bull Nutria]

I did wash it with alcohol and q tips. No help. There is a screw in the pan hanger. I took out the screw and replaced it with 3 #5 shot covered with scotch tape. I also put a longer bolt in the left foot of the base. This allowed me more travel to adjust zero. I tested with my check weights and she is back to accurate.
I suspect corrosion and minor bend or tweak caused this. This scale got knocked over a few times??
Thanks for the help!!
Bull

 

[JFrank]

Age has little to do with quality, mostly these old scale get dust and dirt built up in the v grooves or agates are not running free wear and tear etc. there are threads available on this subject of scale tuning. adding or subtracting from the pan shouldn't help calibrate but will help it zero when the chassis is level although the small/curved chassis models may be difficult to level, perhaps thats why people just zero to a known check weight.

I like beam scales because gravity doesn't lie

 

[FROGO207]

I have an Ohaus 10-10 and take apart and clean the bearings and knife edges once a year. Also clean off the entire beam. So far it has been accurate enough for reloading.