RCBS 5-0-5 getting tired

[HOWARD J]

After about 35+/- years of devoted service I had to polish the bearings
on my 5-0-5 scale. It did not want to give a correct reading---I guess I can't complain as it cost me about $1 per year or less.
It's been a great scale but I think it is almost time for a new one---I need something accurate to keep an eye on my Pact digital.------

 

[LiveLife]

RCBS 5-0-5 ... I had to polish the bearings

Do you mean cleaning of the agate stones' "V" notches?

The stones need to be "free floating" to provide proper alignment with the triangle knife edge. Have you tried removing the cover and inspecting the area for any debri/dirt?

 

[HOWARD J]

I will take a look---I polished the tops with Flitz & it is working again.
What do these stones free float on ? Looking at your stones--yours seem to have a very sharp area a bottom of stone---mine has a flat area about 1/8" at bottom of stones ??

 

[LiveLife]

The stones free float on the frame mounts. Just clean the stone and the frame mount area.

Looking at your stones--yours seem to have a very sharp area a bottom of stone---mine has a flat area about 1/8" at bottom of stones ??

The agate stones need to have a sharp "V" notch for the triangle knife edge to pivot on. Both of my almost new RCBS 5-0-5 and very old Ohaus 10-10 scales' stones have the sharp "V" notches. Perhaps you can call RCBS for some replacement stones?

Near new RCBS 5-0-5

Older Ohaus 10-10

 

[JohnM]

There's a bump cast into the base the agate V-block rests on.
The metal clip is to just keep the block from falling out and shouldn't touch.
You should be able to wiggle the block around with a toothpick.
Take off those clips and clean in there with alcohol and swabs.
Those scales are about the best and most accurate around, but the V-blocks and where they sit need to be clean.
I've got a 45 year old Lyman M5, same scale, that's still as accurate as the day it came from the factory.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I will take a look---I polished the tops with Flitz & it is working again.
What do these stones free float on ? Looking at your stones--yours seem to have a very sharp area a bottom of stone---mine has a flat area about 1/8" at bottom of stones ??

Howard,
That's interesting. I have always kept the powder pan off of my scales while not in use (and not on a table/bench that gets knocked around like a loading bench).
Do you keep yours "balanced" all the time and not "at rest"? Just wondering.

 

[JohnM]

It's has a flat place at the bottom of the V?

 

[HOWARD J]

Thanks for the info
I cleaned the stone area & there was a small amount of dirt there.
It seems to be working good now.
I don't leave the pan in unit when not in use.
I won't bother RCBS unless it quits again.
My kids & grandkids love guns & love to shoot---they don't like to reload.
When I am gone & think they will have to learn.
There is about 40 years of equipment here---something will hit their fancy.
Have fun,
H
With a good glass--there is no real flat area there.

 

[GW Staar]

Excellent photos BDS! The Ohaus-built scales are simple and accurate. The pictures go a long way to help people lose their fear of "opening" the bearing area. That area is critical and has to be kept clean. I've owned a 5-0-5 and now use a 10-10. Gave my 5-0-5 to a nephew...and though 40 years old it still is as good as new.

Just a warning to all. Be careful with the screw and don't over-tighten. Those threads will last only if you don't act like a bull in a china shop. It's only a keeper and doesn't need to be torqued.

 

[oneounceload]

Those Ohaus-built scales also come with a forever warranty - if it stops working, call RCBS about service/replacement

 

[Pacsd]

I've got a 1980, 5-10 scale, that still works great. The ear from the orginal pan fell off so I called RCBS. They had 2 new ones on my door step in less than a week. Reloading is a peaceful pass time for me.

 

[Grimshaw]

I agree send it in to Rcbs

 

[J2FLAN]

Just curious, why take the pan off? why not leave it zeroed ? Bought mine in 2001 and it sits at zero all the time, still seems OK.

 

[Walkalong]

That's interesting. I have always kept the powder pan off of my scales while not in use (and not on a table/bench that gets knocked around like a loading bench).
Do you keep yours "balanced" all the time and not "at rest"? Just wondering.

I leave the pan on my scale, but I always put my weight at 5 grs to tilt the scale and hold it still after use.

The agate bearings are a better system than my Redding R2 which just has a vee machined into the aluminum base. It works great, but if it should wear at that point, it is toast.

My R2 started sticking with the pointer at the bottom. I took it apart and some paint has flaked off and was interfering with the movement at the vee. Cleaned it up and that fixed it.

 

[HOWARD J]

I take the pan off the 5-0-5 because I use it on a PACK digital----the plastic
one that came with the Pack is always full of static elect.
REmember my 5-0-5 is about 35 years old.
BTW---it has been thru 3 house moves & 3 new reloading rooms.
Also it has been dropped a number of times bending the beam & been
reset again---IT HAS DONE A GREAT JOB

 

[Walkalong]

I still have the aluminum pan from the 505 I knocked off the bench and broke.

It comes in handy. The 505 is a great scale.

 

[icanthitabarn]

The price to buy a pan and / or a holder is excessive, imo. From memory, both are around $40, and that was last year when things were cheaper. Thanks for tips, I removed and cleaned the bearing surfaces and everything else. I have already polished the blades. It did help.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're really happy with your RCBS scale and it starts acting up again just send it back to RCBS and they will put it back in factory fresh condition.

 

[dickttx]

I bought a 5-10 from the bargain bin in the later 80's for $10 because the holder and pan were missing. Wrote (before internet) RCBS to buy replacements and they sent it all free, along with instructions as to how to add shot to the holder to zero it. I'm sure they would still do the same, as I recently bought MOST of a Uniflow powder measure at an estate sale. When I e-mailed them they sent the missing parts free.

 

[45lcshooter]

Love the old fashion scales. Im no way old fashion but i will use a bar scale before i turn on the digital scale i got for christmas one year.

 

[jaguarxk120]

The balance beam scale are not old fashioned, they are the ones you do the double check against the electronic scales.

I have a Redding No.1 scale with the paddle in the oil and 325 grain limit. Thats the scale I check all the others with, always works, always accurate.

Have had the scale for fifty years.

 

[GP100man]

In the back ground is a set of old Webster scales , there the most accurate I own . If left 0ed ya can go back in a couple of days & the pan will be 1-2 tenths heavy from the dust settlin



Here`s a couple of M-5 scales that a good cleaning & adjusting put back in excellent working order !!

 

[twofifty]

It sure helps to cover the scale when not in use. I use one of those light clear plastic boxes that spinach is sold in.

 

[rfwobbly]

I've had more issues from the knife edges on the 505 beam rusting than the agate stones. I got one of those diamond sharpening "stones" and touched up the knife edges a bit. Good as new. Just a hint of Imperial keeps them from rusting up again.

 

[coyotemoon]

Thanks people, this forum is nice. Was having trouble with my Dillon scale(Ohaus) floating every where and not holding zero.. Cleaned the bearings and all around them; now it is working like new. Am going to make a dust cover for it.