RCBS 10-10 scale and Level

KeithK

KeithK

Contributing Member
Joined
May 15, 2008
Messages
132
Location
North Florida
I am trying to figure out why my trusty old scale has become not level by quite a bit. I usually just trust but verify my RCBS chargemaster for most loading but am working on some loads that I want to be very close and drug out my old rcbs 10-10.

It will not level to zero without lifting the right side up about 1/2 inch and the level screw on left all the way up. I have a couple pictures to show you what I mean.

IMG_0664.jpeg IMG_0663.jpeg

The scale never used to need this kind of adjustment, it had always been near level and was adjustable with the leveling screw. The workbench is near level, not perfect but no where near this out of level.

I have read a lot on the scale hear on the forum, I am thinking I can correct this by taking apart the pan holder and adding weight to get it level again, do you think this is the correct procedure? I am wondering if the added weight is going to throw off the scale at other weights other than zero.

Any of your thoughts would be appreciated, Thanks Keith
 
The pic shows the scale is showing light weight as if the pan or hanger are lighter than before. As Frog mentioned maybe a different pan? Has the hanger been apart? (mine has small lead balls to adjust empty weight). Double check poise position? I have "adjusted" scales by adding weight to the pan or hanger, using small pieces of aluminum foil or paper, but nothing as drastic as the pics show...
 
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FROGO207 said:
Do you have more than one scale pan? If so it might be the wrong one on that scale. Did you cut off a tab on your scale pan? Some had two tabs to lift it by. Adding weight would reset the scale calibration but I would try figuring out what went wrong first.
Click to expand...

Frog, good idea I had not thought of but I can't find it, I do have another a Lyman M-5 and found it but there is no pan under the hood. So now I have to find it or I am not sure. Or more likely maybe I can order a new one from RCBS. The pan has not been modified or the pan holder has not been apart that I remember. The pan has only one tab on it, do you know if the rcbs pan has 2 tabs or just the one on the pan I have.
 
Just looked on the RCBS site, they sell a pan but the header says M-1000, not sure which scale it is for, probably will have to call RCBS and ask, the picture does show 2 tabs but I really don't remember ever seeing 2 tabs. I am going to have to tear apart my reloading area again this time looking for a pan. Appreciate your all advice and I guess I have some more work and investigation ahead.
 
mdi said:
The pic shows the scale is showing light weight as if the pan or hanger are lighter than before. As Frog mentioned maybe a different pan? Has the hanger been apart? (mine has small lead balls to adjust empty weight). Double check poise position? I have "adjusted" scales by adding wight to the pan or hanger, using small pieces of aluminum foil or paper, but nothing as drastic as the pics show...
Click to expand...

No never apart, but I know I hear ball bearings or something in the holder, there is a screw on bottom holding wire onto it, I did check the bearings where the knife edge sits and didn't see any problem, will have to see, Thanks
 
KeithK said:
Frog, good idea I had not thought of but I can't find it, I do have another a Lyman M-5 and found it but there is no pan under the hood. So now I have to find it or I am not sure. Or more likely maybe I can order a new one from RCBS. The pan has not been modified or the pan holder has not been apart that I remember. The pan has only one tab on it, do you know if the rcbs pan has 2 tabs or just the one on the pan I have.
Click to expand...
M-5 pan hanger is one piece, whereas the 10-10 has two pieces~ a ring and a pan base. Both have counter weights inside.
 

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South Prairie Jim said:
M-5 pan hanger is one piece, whereas the 10-10 has two pieces~ a ring and a pan base. Both have counter weights inside.
Click to expand...

Jim
So the rcbs is two piece, and mine is 2 piece so I am thinking it is the correct pan hangar anyway, and looking at your picture it has only one pickup tab as mine does.
And my M-5 has the one piece hangar as you said, I just confirmed that. I wish I knew what happened to the pan. I appreciate you posting the picture, I am thinking now a call to RCBS is my next move, really appreciate you all and the help.

My youngest came by on his way from Kuwait to Texas last year and I hooked him up with most everything to reload, I may have sent the pan with him and didn't realize, cause I did have 2 M-5's and now I can only find one, I always used the RCBS 10-10 until going mostly digital, Sure appreciate you and all the help
 
There is lead shot in the pan holder that can be adjusted by adding or removing the shot. I had to add a #8 shot to mine to get it to zero. I then verified with my check weights. I bought it used and it's possible one of the shots got out somehow.
 
JDeere said:
There is lead shot in the pan holder that can be adjusted by adding or removing the shot. I had to add a #8 shot to mine to get it to zero. I then verified with my check weights. I bought it used and it's possible one of the shots got out somehow.
Click to expand...

That is what I am hearing the shot, did you notice any change after adding shot, I guess that is the reason for the check weights. I am having trouble getting by the $69 price of the rcbs check weight set, the less expensive sets don't seem to have the lower weights that will mirror the lower weights like pistol loads.
 
@Keith yes I sacrificed a 12 gauge #8 shotshell to adjust. I bought a set of Troemner check weights that starts at .5 grn all the way to 200 for about 30 bucks off Amazon. I even checked the weights on a scale that was accurate. They come in a nice labeled holder with tweezers.
 
KeithK said:
Jim
So the rcbs is two piece, and mine is 2 piece so I am thinking it is the correct pan hangar anyway, and looking at your picture it has only one pickup tab as mine does.
And my M-5 has the one piece hangar as you said, I just confirmed that. I wish I knew what happened to the pan. I appreciate you posting the picture, I am thinking now a call to RCBS is my next move, really appreciate you all and the help.

My youngest came by on his way from Kuwait to Texas last year and I hooked him up with most everything to reload, I may have sent the pan with him and didn't realize, cause I did have 2 M-5's and now I can only find one, I always used the RCBS 10-10 until going mostly digital, Sure appreciate you and all the help
Click to expand...
You may just have to add some bird shot to the pan base. Not a big deal, I’ve even added clear tape to the bottom of the pan and trimmed off a tiny at a time. Whatever it takes..
 
What if you just add a length of lead solder wire coiled up inside the pan until it zeros.....then turn the pan holder upside down, apply some flux, then heat the solder to the bottom?

I've had my 10-10 for nearly 50 years.....and it stills zeros like the first day.....how does lead shot suddenly get lighter unless there's a hole in the bottom?
 
GW Staar said:
What if you just add a length of lead solder wire coiled up inside the pan until it zeros.....then turn the pan holder upside down, apply some flux, then heat the solder to the bottom?

I've had my 10-10 for nearly 50 years.....and it stills zeros like the first day.....how does lead shot suddenly get lighter unless there's a hole in the bottom?
Click to expand...

Almost assuredly the original pan is awol.
 
KeithK said:
That is what I am hearing the shot, did you notice any change after adding shot, I guess that is the reason for the check weights. I am having trouble getting by the $69 price of the rcbs check weight set, the less expensive sets don't seem to have the lower weights that will mirror the lower weights like pistol loads.
Click to expand...
I got these and they do me fine. If you are worried about accuracy take them to your local pawn shop or jeweler and slip them a few bucks to weigh each on a calibrated scale.
https://www.amazon.com/Troemner-150...8698403&sprefix=Check+weights,aps,120&sr=8-46
 
Years ago I bought a used RCBS 5-0-5 scale and the pan must have been replaced because it could not be zeroed. I unscrewed the bottom of the pan, put the bottom in the pan, the shot that was in the pan and added enough shot to zero it to the middle of the adjustment range. Perfect ever since. My Ohaus 10-10 has the original parts and didn't need any adjustments.
 
Blue68f100 said:
I have 2 RCBS pans and there is a 7gr difference between them. I have to keep them on the correct scale. I should make them weight the same but my ChargeMaster will not dispense if there is not a zero.
Click to expand...

I had no idea Ohaus quality control was that loose ;) (as in loose shot)....but you're right....that'd have to be it. I had to go downstairs and look closer at mine.....check this out.....so he most likely has the pan holder for another machine or it was taken a a part and shot was lost.....so then....

before you take it apart, set it up with the pan mounted....drop some shot on the pan until it balances at zero....then take it apart and hopefully you have room to "add" what you have in the pan to the collection! :) Easy Peasey....maybe.
IMG_4251.JPG
 
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I agree with the others that you have a different pan. I replaced my 505 a while back due to damaging the knife edges, but wanted to continue using the original powder pan. The new scale was off by a couple grains (don't remember the exact amount) and I had to adjust the amount of shot in the pan holder to correct it.

chris
 
JDeere said:
@Keith yes I sacrificed a 12 gauge #8 shotshell to adjust. I bought a set of Troemner check weights that starts at .5 grn all the way to 200 for about 30 bucks off Amazon. I even checked the weights on a scale that was accurate. They come in a nice labeled holder with tweezers.
Click to expand...

I will give this a go, I will order the troemner weight set and see how this works, $33 is more palatable than the $69 and they will be here tomorrow, appreciate all the advice.

Otto said:
If RCBS can’t help, Google Scott Parker.
Click to expand...

I considered this and the lead time is questionable and probably out.

Atavar said:
I got these and they do me fine. If you are worried about accuracy take them to your local pawn shop or jeweler and slip them a few bucks to weigh each on a calibrated scale.

https://www.amazon.com/Troemner-1508-415-200GN-0-5GN-Certificate-Stainless/dp/B078H9VQ5Z/ref=sr_1_46?crid=30AESKDQNBR0Q&keywords=check+weights+grains+reloading&qid=1688698403&sprefix=Check+weights,aps,120&sr=8-46
Click to expand...

Thanks Avatar, I will have these tomorrow and give it a go.

Thank You all, you guys are the best, will report back how this works out but I am confident now after all the advice.
 
That's the set I was referring to that Atavar posted. It works well and is accurate...
 
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