RCBS scale help

ACORN · Nov 22, 2023

That’s what I thought but some say add/remove shot, some say don’t.
I don’t doubt anyone’s intentions but just don’t know which way to go.
I don’t want to mess up a scale.

Warren Sear · Nov 22, 2023

There is nothing wrong with your scale, so don't fix it!

The problem is with your work bench. As others have said, make an auxiliary adjustable platform for it, or just make a thin shim to place under the adjustable foot.

Don't fix the wrong part.

s&wchad · Nov 22, 2023

ACORN said:
That’s what I thought but some say add/remove shot, some say don’t.
I don’t doubt anyone’s intentions but just don’t know which way to go.
I don’t want to mess up a scale.

Phone RCBS and ask...

(800) 533-5000 - Option 3

ACORN · Nov 22, 2023

s&wchad said:
Phone RCBS and ask...

(800) 533-5000 - Option 3

Just tried them
No help
I guess I’ll take it off and match it up Friday.

cfplinker · Nov 22, 2023

Put a small level on the base of your scale. Adjust the leveling wheel as needed until the bubble in the level shows that the base is level. If you can't get the base level using the adjustment wheel add shims as needed until the base is level.

Now put the empty pan back on and see if the scale reads "0". If it does then you know how many shims it takes to compensate for your tables slope.

If it doesn't then you can start adding or subtracting shot from the pan hanger.

glenwolde · Nov 22, 2023

rockquarry said:
I think that was a joke, not really intended as good advice.

Not really. Especially after reading this thread. I find beam scales wonky and tedious. I can calibrate and weigh some charges on a digital before I can get a beam scale level. I haven't used a beam scale in a decade after using one for 30 years. I did have one digital scale die on me. But they are half the price of a beam scale. Sure, digital scales have issues too but in my experience they are a lot easier and faster to use and just as accurate.

For some reason a lot of reloaders mistrust digital scales. I'm talking about getting a $40 scale. If you're calibrating every time with either what's the issue?

rockquarry · Nov 22, 2023

glenwolde said:
Not really. Especially after reading this thread. I find beam scales wonky and tedious. I can calibrate and weigh some charges on a digital before I can get a beam scale level. I haven't used a beam scale in a decade after using one for 30 years. I did have one digital scale die on me. But they are half the price of a beam scale. Sure, digital scales have issues too but in my experience they are a lot easier and faster to use and just as accurate.

For some reason a lot of reloaders mistrust digital scales. I'm talking about getting a $40 scale. If you're calibrating every time with either what's the issue?

Off topic as the original poster wasn't interested in digital scales.

I wouldn't be critical of something I'd had no experience with; I tried a digital some years ago. The best and most reliable ones cost far more than most handloaders want to spend. With the cheaper ones, some speak of necessary warmup time and other drawbacks.

Balance beam scales may be slightly slower but far more reliable and certainly less problematic. Use what suits you best.

beagleye · Nov 22, 2023

My bench is almost that bad. My scale's adjustment screw is almost maxed out.

I think the wedge is better than added weight. If it's balancing on a big angle the forces are acting laterally on the fulcrum, so you're losing accuracy. It shouldn't be a big deal near the middle of the arc, but it's still happening. IMHO the scale functions best if balanced is also level.

In the second angled scale picture, a certain amount of the weight is pulling sideways on the beam, that's not helping. At 10 degrees 1.5% of the force is going sideways. At 20 degrees 6% of the force is going sideways.

SS336 · Nov 22, 2023

My RCBS 10-10 was pretty close to being maxed out and I found a video on YouTube that showed how to make it more level.
Basically take the screw out of the pan add shot, see if it more level, do it again if necessary. Worked great. Checked with my check weights and it didn’t change anything. Perfectly balanced as before.
Try to find the video if needed.

DWalt · Nov 22, 2023

Coins do make good check weights, but they should be new and uncirculated . Attached is a table from the U. S. Mint giving precise weights of each denomination in grams. So multiply by 15.432 to get grains. Coins are very consistent in their weights. I have checked that myself. Coin Specifications | U.S. Mint

ACORN · Nov 23, 2023

Just an FYI. I check me RCBS 5-10 and 5-0-5. The adjustment screw is 1/4”-20 TPI.

D Brown · Nov 23, 2023

ACORN said:
My Loading bench is not sufficiently level for me to zero my scale.
If I add or remove shot from the pan holder to allow it to be zeroed, does this affect the accuracy?
I’ve loaded for a few years but never did this out of fear of messing it up.

I ran into this problem many years ago and fixed it by opening up the pan, removing one piece of shot and cutting it in half.

I proceeded to use the scale on many different surfaces in the ensuing years and never had another problem with zeroing.

Best of luck!

Rule3 · Nov 23, 2023

Warren Sear said:
There is nothing wrong with your scale, so don't fix it!

The problem is with your work bench. As others have said, make an auxiliary adjustable platform for it, or just make a thin shim to place under the adjustable foot.

Don't fix the wrong part.

Beats trying to level the house!

OP, can you put a simple shelf at eye level above the bench? This video shoes the basic type of shelf material I was mentioning. A scale really should not be directly on the bench where your press is anyway.(unless it is a real heavy duty bench)
He does mention removing weight from the pan also

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLNAm15qrss[/ame]

ACORN · Nov 23, 2023

Rule3 said:
Beats trying to level the house!

OP, can you put a simple shelf at eye level above the bench? This video shoes the basic type of shelf material I was mentioning. A scale really should not be directly on the bench where your press is anyway.(unless it is a real heavy duty bench)
He does mention removing weight from the pan also

RCBS M 1000 powder scale.Zeroing and using. - YouTube

I have an elevated shelf that sit at eye level now but I made it parallel to the bench top so they’re both slanted. I could shim it on one end if needed I may do that if the longer adjusting screw fails to do it.

Warren Sear · Nov 23, 2023

My loading bench is not perfectly level, and I have to run the leveling screw nearly to the end of its adjustment to level my RCBS 10-10 scale. If I needed more adjustment, I would either lengthen the screw, or use a shim. The scale needs to be level. No way would I start messing around with the weights in the pan.

ACORN · Nov 23, 2023

Warren Sear said:
My loading bench is not perfectly level, and I have to run the leveling screw nearly to the end of its adjustment to level my RCBS 10-10 scale. If I needed more adjustment, I would either lengthen the screw, or use a shim. The scale needs to be level. No way would I start messing around with the weights in the pan.

3 1/4x2 stainless oval head screws for $3.99 at TSC. I can fix all 3 scales.

Skeet 028 · Nov 23, 2023

I've messed...bought and sold with scales for years. Don't add/remove shot to the pan assembly...Do what someone said...either adjust the bench or make a level place to mount the scale. The 505 is a good scale...but For the Money the 510 is the best scale ever made. I think I have 4 or 5. Bought one NIB at a local auction for 15 dollars...Junk digitals sold for more. I can guarantee you I can move one to another loading area and it will balance out level with hardly any adj. ...just in case many don't know...even digitals work much better level. You can find another longer 1/4 by 20 screw and replace the original in the scale...but you will still be better off with a level area to mount it. The lead weights were originally used to balance the scale before sale. They can be used to adj for damage to the scale...even the knife edges wear a little over the years with the agate balance points. Scales are fragile...electronic scales are even more so. Make a level area on a shelf

SS336 · Nov 23, 2023

Warren Sear said:
My loading bench is not perfectly level, and I have to run the leveling screw nearly to the end of its adjustment to level my RCBS 10-10 scale. If I needed more adjustment, I would either lengthen the screw, or use a shim. The scale needs to be level. No way would I start messing around with the weights in the pan.

You don’t put the weights “in” the pan. You take the wire bracket off the balance beam, without the pan, and look at it. There is a screw to separate it. In the bottom you will find lead shot put there at the factory for this very purpose.
Add or subtract the shot to make you scale level on your bench.
Might take a few try’s.
It dosn’t affect the balance beam just the zero. Scale is checked with check weights to make sure.
Works fine, fails safe, drains to the bilge.

ACORN · Nov 23, 2023

SS336 said:
You don’t put the weights “in” the pan. You take the wire bracket off the balance beam, without the pan, and look at it. There is a screw to separate it. In the bottom you will find lead shot put there at the factory for this very purpose.
Add or subtract the shot to make you scale level on your bench.
Might take a few try’s.
It dosn’t affect the balance beam just the zero. Scale is checked with check weights to make sure.
Works fine, fails safe, drains to the bilge.

Your bench is way to neat. Let me come over and clutter it up a bit.

steelslaver · Nov 23, 2023

How about getting an 8" piece of 1x4 and using a couple screws under one end to level it and set your scale on it.

I lost the hanger on my RCBS scale and fashioned a new one from light stainless tig wire I had to remove some shot to get it to zero. It checks at zero 35 gr (a new dime) and 77.2 (new nickel). I have 2 beam scales and a digital, they all work

RCBS scale help

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