Scale missing magnetic damping tab - fix?

[Caliper_Mi]

So, I'm looking at a used Ohaus 505 scale. US made, and I really like the scale because it's got the three poise balance and little marks for 1/10th's over or under at the pointer end. Only trouble is that it is missing the little tab on the balance beam for the magnetic damping, so the pointer is hopelesly stuck pointing up. Is there any place to buy parts for this?

 

[scythefwd]

I'm not familiar with that scale. Does your pan hold have a removable bottom piece that has shot in it?

You MIGHT be able to get the tab from rcbs, but aren't they riveted in?

 

[Rule3]

Pretty much useless without it.

Move on to another scale.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

It seems pretty much the same as an RCBS 505, but labeled as an OHaus. Yes, the pan seems to be filled with shot (don't have it, looking to buy and like the features it has). There is a small hole in the beam where it looks like the magnetic tab would be peened on. I'm sure I could zero it without the tab, but how bad would be taking readings without the magntic damping?

 

[scythefwd]

would take much longer. Yes, the bottom of the pan is for shot, you can add some to help level it off (adjusting gross zero).

If youre looking to buy it.. get it cheap.. like less than 20 bux cheap if it doesnt have that tab. Too many inexpensive scales out there that are complete to buy a broken one because it can be made to work with minimal effort...

 

[Caliper_Mi]

I was afraid that without damping it would suck.

Thinking about other scales, is there an easy place to get a replacement for the zero indicator on the base? I really want one with the 1/10th's over/under indicator and a three poise balance but not very many scales seem to come that way.

 

[1066]

Yes, the copper damping plate is riveted in, you won't be able to get a spare from RCBS or any where else as a replacement part, they would only supply a beam complete. If you're handy you could certainly make one, copper plate about 1/16 inch or even aluminium would work fairly well but you would need to rivet and superglue it in place.

Once fitted you will need to re-tare the scale by adding/removing shot from the weight pan. Probably more trouble than it's worth but I would certainly do it for myself.

Here's one I added a small extension to the damper plate:

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Ahhh, I had assumed the tab was magnetic itself. That's copper? Interesting. Not hard to do then...

 

[scythefwd]

You can find rcbs 505's and ohaus 505's (yeah, they ARE the same scale) all over the place.

Brass is probably what your looking for, or copper. Aluminum might not work at all.. its magnetic dampening and aluminum might not react enough to actually slow anything down.

 

[1066]

You can find rcbs 505's and ohaus 505's (yeah, they ARE the same scale) all over the place.

Brass is probably what your looking for, or copper. Aluminum might not work at all.. its magnetic dampening and aluminum might not react enough to actually slow anything down.

Aluminium works - just not quite so good as copper - the damping plate on Lee scales are aluminium.

 

[oneounceload]

Have you tried calling Ohaus?

 

[rcmodel]

Copper dampener from 5-10 scale.
I imagine they are the same.

.068" thick.



But your best bet is to return it to Ohous for a new beam.

Or, buy one on eBay for $20.00 that's all there & works.

rc

 

[Rule3]

Or just buy a NEW Dillion Eliminator. It is the same scale for less money than RCBS.

https://www.dillonprecision.com/con.../7/Dillon__039_s___039_Eliminator__039__Scale

 

[J2FLAN]

Check amozon.com---RCBS powder scale. IIRC 505 $44.00 ships free. I almost got one, but already have two. Good luck

Had to edit: changed my mind and did buy one. I can get $60 at the club for it, and make a friend at the same time.

 

[Sport45]

If the scales been knocked around enough to lose that piece I think I'd pass and not even consider trying to fix it.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Pretty much useless without it.

Move on to another scale.

Better than nothing, by a lot. Far from being useless, it is merely inconvenient, taking longer to settle to zero.

One can easily substitute a non-magnetic damper (a fluid damper) by hanging a small weight from some monofilament (in place of the magnetic fin) with the weight submerged in a viscous fluid. Some Redding scales used a thimble of oil with a paddle affixed to the balance beam so the paddle moved side-to-side. Up and down will work just as well.

I have also "cheated" a little by putting a pencil (held vertically against the tray) so that the oscillations are brought down to a manageable amplitude.

Lost Sheep

 

[H&R Glock]

Get a short piece of half inch copper pipe, anneal it, then split it open and flatten it. Form a new damper blade and glue it on. Adjust your shot for a zero balance and Voila! be back in business.

 

[1066]

Copper dampener from 5-10 scale.
I imagine they are the same.

.068" thick.

View attachment 211045

But your best bet is to return it to Ohous for a new beam.

Or, buy one on eBay for $20.00 that's all there & works.

rc

The 502 and the 505 use the same damper blade but the 5-10 and the 10/10 are different. The 5-10 blade is in line with the beam and held on with a screw. Easy to replace.

 

[Rule3]

Better than nothing, by a lot. Far from being useless, it is merely inconvenient, taking longer to settle to zero.

One can easily substitute a non-magnetic damper (a fluid damper) by hanging a small weight from some monofilament (in place of the magnetic fin) with the weight submerged in a viscous fluid. Some Redding scales used a thimble of oil with a paddle affixed to the balance beam so the paddle moved side-to-side. Up and down will work just as well.

I have also "cheated" a little by putting a pencil (held vertically against the tray) so that the oscillations are brought down to a manageable amplitude.

Lost Sheep

Absolutely Rube, Go for it.

 

[Jim Watson]

You could learn how to "count swings" like we had to do in chemistry lab before magnetic dampers were common.

 

[scythefwd]

Rule.. what do you pay for a dillon beam scale.. I've never seen one cheaper than a 505

 

[Rule3]

Rule.. what do you pay for a dillon beam scale.. I've never seen one cheaper than a 505

I guess you can get one for less from Amazon. Midway and Cabellas are more than the Dilion (from Dillion) I posted the link. $70 Not counting rebates, shipping taxes tag and title Buy the color that matches your decor.

Not even sure if the 505 is still made. They have a "new and improved" one that there was a thread on. Made in China,

 

[Lost Sheep]

Absolutely Rube, Go for it.

You have NO idea. Mr. Goldberg has nothing on me.

I have one plan for a scale you can make yourself with fishing line, aluminum foil and a stick and a set of check weights.

How's THAT?

Lost Sheep

p.s. I have not built it yet because I have a Lee Scale and an RCBS 1010 that work just fine.

 

[BCRider]

I tend to agree with Sport45 that suggested that if it has been treated harshly enough to knock the damper off then it's likely better to just buy a new one.

If it were given to me or cost me no more than a beer or a coffee then I'd have a go at fixing it using the copper pipe method given above. But then I've got scraps of copper pipe here so it's easy.

For those that care the idea of the damper is that the magnet induces an electrical current in the damper tab. But being one piece the tab also forms a short circuit so the current runs around in the tab. Technically the motion is converted to electricity which is then converted to heat in the tab. But good luck measuring the temperature rise...

In any event the fact that there's electricity involved means that you want a good electrical conductor. And while gold would be best copper is a lot cheaper. And aluminium is pretty much just a little below copper on the resistance scale.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

You have NO idea. Mr. Goldberg has nothing on me.

I have one plan for a scale you can make yourself with fishing line, aluminum foil and a stick and a set of check weights.

How's THAT?

Lost Sheep

p.s. I have not built it yet because I have a Lee Scale and an RCBS 1010 that work just fine.

So the tin foil must be to keep the cosmic space particles from affecting the delicate balance? Do you also put it in a cardboard box to keep your breathing from disturbing the balance?