Tuning a RCBS 10-10 scale

[nettlle]

I like balance beam scales. To be more specific I like RCBS 10-10 scales. There is a gentleman in the reloading circles that will tune a RCBS 10-10 balance beam to read within (1) kernel of powder for a fee. He will not tune a 10-10 that's not made in the USA. I sent him photos of my 10-10 and he said it was not a USA made scale. It's a good scale so I decided to tune it myself. With the advice from several people both online and on the phone I have improved my 10-10 farther than I ever expected. One excellent source of information came from this THR stickie

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/beam-scale-101-a-look-at-the-tried-and-true.875760/

 

[jmorris]

Scott Parker is the name.

I tried to contact him before I added a photo electric switch and figured out the one I had was already that good. Even my old 505 is good to a few hundredths of a grain, with a $12 switch.

Autotrickler check with A&D FX-120i

www.youtube.com

Wires up like this.

Auto trickler wiring

www.youtube.com

 

[JDeere]

I had a Pact digital setup with powder dispenser that performed well for years. As with most electronics they do not last forever and mine started getting wonky and inconsistent. I replaced it with an older US made 505 until I could find an older US made Ohaus or RCBS marked 1010. I found the 1010 on Ebay finally. I had to calibrate it with the lead shot and check weights. Just can't beat the old beam scales imo. I kept the 505 just for back up...

 

[Chuck R.]

I bought my 10-10 in 1975, when I cleaned up my 10-10, I went over the knife edges with a small stone and cleaned the agates with alcohol (still do periodically). It shows the effect of a single kernel of H4350 and H4831SC. With an electric trickler it's relatively fast. A little magnification goes a long ways to seeing movement: