Scale tuning? General thoughts.

[Bazoo]

I have a Ohaus made 505 RCBS branded scale. It has a nick in the knife edge. I sent it to RCBS for them to tune and checkout. They returned it and it works. It's been working 5 years like this. I keep it in the box when not in use.

I assumed they cleaned the knife edges up where there is no burrs and tested it and it was fine. It bothers me, though it never gives me any trouble.

I think I want to have it looked at, maybe tuned or gone over.


What's my options?

 

[RMH]

Have you read this thread yet? There is a lot of good information on cleaning and tuning beam scales.

Beam Scale 101, a look at the tried and true

 

[Bazoo]

Yes, I've read it in its entirety. It leaves some questions, like, it mentions polishing the knife edges but doesn't really address how. I'm reluctant to do anything to my scale, since it works. But I'm working on learning all about scales.

 

[LiveLife]

I have a Ohaus made 505 RCBS branded scale ... I think I want to have it looked at, maybe tuned or gone over.

What's my options?

I also have RCBS 5-0-5 along with Ohaus 10-10.

Only maintenance or "tuning" I do is keep the agate bearings and posts clean so they free-float and knife edges clear. As long as they zero and verify check weights, I keep using them.

 

[Bazoo]

I have read that the knife edge has to be free of nicks. But mine has nicks. RCBS went over it and sent it back. And it works. So, nicks are okay as log as they aren't burred and causing a catch of some sort?

 

[AK Hunter]

I have read that the knife edge has to be free of nicks. But mine has nicks. RCBS went over it and sent it back. And it works. So, nicks are okay as log as they aren't burred and causing a catch of some sort?

Right the nick will not effect the balancing of the scale as long as there is nothing making the knife edge wider. The nick is just a void & can't touch the V it sets in.

 

[JFrank]

Yes, I've read it in its entirety. It leaves some questions, like, it mentions polishing the knife edges but doesn't really address how. I'm reluctant to do anything to my scale, since it works. But I'm working on learning all about scales.

It has been awhile since I contributed to that scale tuning thread but if memory serves I referred to sharpening with a smooth stone making about six light passes on each of the knife edges being careful not to push too hard or change any angles, remember that Alcohol and Q tips are perfect for cleaning the V grooves on the beam.