Balance beam scale care.

LMWIS

LMWIS

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2012
Messages
440
Reaction score
705
Location
Northern Ontario, Canada
Is there any reason to break down your scale and box it each time you use it, or can you simply leave it set up and cover it?
 
Register to hide this ad
I'd like to keep mine set up.....

I don't have a permanent place for it. And I gotta zero it each time, which might not be a bad idea anyway. I've gotten good at it. I'm looking for a permanent spot. Besides a cover, I'd like to have a box to put over it so dust doesn't get in. It's powerful dusty around here. Of course it doesn't hurt to dust it of every now and then, but if it were out in the garage, it would be worse than just dust.
 
Last edited:
I didn't keep mine covered when I had a loading room in my basements.I work in the garage now and have it on a shelf at eye level with a small box over it.I don't run any saws in there at all-no room [emoji57]
 
I have an "old style" Ohaus (RCBS) beam scale that works for me.

I put the beam in the secondary or 'storage' position when I'm through a
reloading session. The clear plastic cover slides on very easily and
is an effective storage/dust cover.

I recalibrate whenever I make 1/10 grain changes in the load,
and NEVER lubricate the knife edged balance points.
 
Last edited:
years ago I used a plastic see thru bread box made to hold a loaf of sliced bread. Back then it was light bread. Anyway, it was the right size and worked out well for storage. Whatever happened to that thing ....


Charlie
 
I have an "old style" Ohaus (RCBS) beam scale that works for me.

I put the beam in the secondary or 'storage' position when I'm through a reloading session. The clear plastic cover slides on very easily and is an effective storage/dust cover.

I recalibrate whenever I make 1/10 grain changes in the load, and NEVER lubricate the knife edged balance points.
 
the only thing I have ever heard is to make sure it is not stored with the pointer pointing at the zero but it should be weighted down, so set it to say ten grains with the pan empty.
 
cracker57 said:
the only thing I have ever heard is to make sure it is not stored with the pointer pointing at the zero but it should be weighted down, so set it to say ten grains with the pan empty.
Click to expand...

I think this is to keep the knife edge from wearing as the balance teeters with air movement. Makes sense to me
 
crsides said:
years ago I used a plastic see thru bread box made to hold a loaf of sliced bread. Charlie
Click to expand...

I made one with some surplus Lexan. Used "hi-tec" duck tape or a hinge. ;) This clear box is flipped back on the shelf when in use and flipped back over the 505 when not in use. Gotta love duck tape.
 
I made a leveling plate from 1/2"x12"x8" aluminum plate, my 10-10 sits on it 24-7, covered, when not in use.

I keep it right next to the ChargeMaster to cross check and I use check weights for both.

Every now and again I clean the pivots and blocks with q-tips and a little acetone and make sure there aren't any dings in the knife edges.
 
I did not mention before but I do take the pan and hook off when not in use. Not sure it does anything but it keeps in from moving or hovering at zero,
 
Thanks for the replies.

I am setting up a new and improved (is that daylight?!) loading space, and I can now leave it out rather than break everything down and hide it. :D
 
Years ago the balance beam on my Lyman scale slipped from my hand and chipped the agate cradle that the beam rides on. Fortunately, that chip wasn't at the point of contact. If you have a safe place to keep the scale, it's best to leave it set up.
 
A beam, like all balances, needs to be kept clean and free from aerosols/dust/dirt/oil/etc.
The beam should be stored OFF the base, unless in use.
Thus, when not in use, remove beam and keep covered.
 
I will tell you this (from my experience). I have always dis-assembled and boxed up my RCBS 10-10 for 30+ years now and it's still good as new.

TWO of my friends left theirs set up and BOTH of the Nylon pivot points got distorted or worn to the point that repeatability was just not there. RCBS did replace the scales for them, but they SPECIFICALLY SAID NOT to leave Scale in set up position. That has been my experience.
 
I thought the whole point of a balance beam over a digital was the consistent most accurate readings. My RCBS is in its little nook on the loading bench, uncovered. Although a bread box sounds like a good idea. I leave the 5 grain check weight in the pan and have the scale set to 5 grains so I can see it is balanced before a loading session. Before I start dropping powder I remove the check weight and put the empty pan on and move the weights to zero to verify it is calibrated.

Something wrong with this system?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

offrdmania
  • Locked
**SOLD** WTS Keith Brown K-Frame Sq Butt Roper Style Pattern Extended Boot Stocks
Replies
2
Views
774
rbrbrb6
rbrbrb6
6string
Miniature Firearms
Replies
16
Views
793
GBLittle
GBLittle
AJ
RCBS Chargemaster Vs Other Forms of Powder Measuring.
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
Yendor357
Y
O
What case would you reload in 9mm
2
Replies
36
Views
1K
AJ
AJ
G
What Crimp die for 32 H&R?
Replies
8
Views
473
Brooks
B

Latest posts

Back
Top