What do you cover your scales with

[TennJed]

I ordered a Lee Classic Turrent last weekend and it should be here any day (thanks for all the help I have been given here).

I have a question. I acquired a used RCBS 5-10 scale in a trade and I want to keep it on my reloading table, but would like to keep it covered to keep dust out. I have the box, but it is aged and ugly. I also would rather keep it covered with something that I did not have to lift it out of each time I wanted to use it (so tupperware is out).

I was wondering if y'all could give me some suggestions.

Thanks

 

[Steve Koski]

Bandana?

Upside down tupperware or cardboard box?

I don't cover mine with anything (digital). They get a bit dusty after a year or so.

 

[simon_rook]

I use one of the cheap disposable tupper-ware containers for mine. It works and its clear so I notice if I forget to shut them off

 

[MtnCreek]

The cover that came with the scale.

I don't cover mine with anything (digital). They get a bit dusty after a year or so.

Mr. Koski, Where's the little smiley face at; cause I assume you're kidding.

 

[USSR]

I don't cover my Ohaus 5-0-5 with anything. I rezero it (if necessary) at every loading session. Been working fine for the past 30 years.

Don

 

[luis7]

In a three bottle wine wood box. You can cover two scales.

Greetings from spain

 

[JerryM]

I have never covered mine. I have not found that the amount of dust makes any difference, although in theory it could.
Jerry

 

[HOWARD J]

36 years--my 5-0-5 has never been covered.
Funny thing--I have a RCBS fabric cover--too much trouble to use.

 

[kelbro]

I throw a red shop rag over mine when not in use.

 

[cfullgraf]

My scales are stored on a shelf when I am not reloading. My reloading bench serves multiple gun related purposes so I do not want to accidentally damage a scale. Been there, done that when i was reloading. No sense exposing the scale needlessly.

The digital scale has a case. The beam scale gets stored in it's original box. The beam is removed from the base.

 

[rcmodel]

I built a level wood box that my RCBS scale sets on top of when in use.
Two dimples and a flat shallow hole for the adjusting foot in the top surface allow the scale to set on it without it sliding around.

That puts the pointer closer to eye level so I can get a more accurate 90 degree look at the pointer scale.

Then when I'm done, the box sets over the scale as a dust cover.

rc

 

[gamestalker]

I have the same scale and cover mine with a box, any box providing it fits over the scale. I'm also certain you could find or easily make a cover with some materail from a fabric store.

 

[cougar1717]

I just use an old piece of cloth.

 

[x_wrench]

i do not cover mine with anything either. it just sits on the shelf in open air. if i notice dust on it, i use compressed air to blow it off. done deal. if i had to disassemble, clean and lubricate something fairly complicated, it would be a different story. but scales are EASY to clean.

 

[Tim the student]

I use old pillow cases for that kind of stuff.

I cover my scales and presses with them when not in use.

 

[oldreloader]

I cover my scales with a cheapie hand towel and my presses with pillowcases.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I use the box my 505 came in. I had to cut the end off to make it fit when the scale was assembled. It's been working about 20 years.

 

[buckslayer65]

i use a shop rag lightly lubericated

 

[BYJO4]

I simply place clear plastic bags over my loading equipment. I've been doing this for over 35 years and works great.

 

[BADUNAME37]

For over 25 years, I have not covered my RCBS 5-0-5 scale, and it still looks like new.

 

[TxBobS]

Why would you cover it? Worried about dust on the beam changing the weight or something?

 

[rcmodel]

Exactly. But mostly dust in the knife-edge beam bearings.

When I first started reloading, magnetic dampened reloading scales had not been invented yet.

What was used then was oil dampening, and the scale frame had a little pocket you filled with oil.
A paddle on the beam swished back and forth in the oil to stop oscillations!

Of course, before long everything had an oil film on it, and the oil film had dust stuck in it!
In short order, everything was nasty!

We either covered scales then, or didn't use the oil dampening feature and took 10 minutes to weigh each charge while waiting for the beam to settle down.

I guess old habits die hard, but dust in the scales knife bearings affects accuracy.

It is far easier for me to cover them or put them away then it is to clean them with alcohol & a Q-Tip every time I go to use them.

But maybe my basement workshop has more sawdust & grinder dust in it then yours does?

rc

 

[TxBobS]

I guess that's reasonable. On the beam I wouldn't worry about since it will be factored in when you zero it. But if you had enough in the pivot, I guess it could make a difference.

 

[1SOW]

Having the scale level, clean, out of any drafts and available for use easily are good things. I made a "scale barn" and have mine a shelf behind the press at eye-level.
It has door that swings up to open and never needs to be moved.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=119844&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1305700694

 

[armoredman]

My 10-10 has a built in cover when it get's taken down for storage, so I take it down and store it when I am done, no issues.