Powder scale rcbs balance beam bad?

[rogerthat]

Had an rcbs beam scale go wonky on me. Ended up replacing with this electronic one because I could never trust it again. Would never go back. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101286312?pid=142513

Thanks! This is where I’m headed. Going to go office space on this thing I think

 

[Redmt]

Man, my limited knowledge of physics and such doesn't understand how an inanimate object can go out of calibration. That's a real puzzle to me.

 

[Redmt]

Explain this to my now really confused brain. You're using the same pan? The pan holder with the calibration weights has never come apart? The beam has never been dropped? The screw pad for fine tuning adjusts both up and down? I don't understand how something that relies on gravity can fail.

 

[rogerthat]

Man, my limited knowledge of physics and such doesn't understand how an inanimate object can go out of calibration. That's a real puzzle to me.

I wonder if something is barely bent? I’m not the only one in the house. Maybe a knock off and put back on the bench?

 

[Redmt]

I wonder if something is barely bent? I’m not the only one in the house. Maybe a knock off and put back on the bench?

Does the beam travel to both high and low extremes without contacting ANYTHING?

 

[rogerthat]

Explain this to my now really confused brain. You're using the same pan? The pan holder with the calibration weights has never come apart? The beam has never been dropped? The screw pad for fine tuning adjusts both up and down? I don't understand how something that relies on gravity can fail.

I can answer yes to everything but the beam being dropped. I’m not sure on that

 

[rogerthat]

Does the beam travel to both high and low extremes without contacting ANYTHING?

Yes

 

[Redmt]

Yes

I'd buy it from you just to try and figure it out!! As you originally said, something is wonky.

 

[rogerthat]

I'd buy it from you just to try and figure it out!! As you originally said, something is wonky.

I cleaned the pivot point up good with lighter fluid. Super weird

 

[rogerthat]

I'd buy it from you just to try and figure it out!! As you originally said, something is wonky.

Pm me your address. I will ship it to you for free. I would like to know too

 

[Redmt]

A couple more dumb questions. Are the detents in the beam clean and clear? Are the adjustment weights seating securely? Is the .01 weight straight? I've seen mine get bent a bit but it doesn't cause the issues you're having.

 

[Redmt]

Pm me your address. I will ship it to you for free. I would like to know too

I would like to guarantee you that I will find it but if I do, I'll ship it back to you. If not it will go on the conversation shelf with all the other crap I have no use for.

 

[Redmt]

Pm me your address. I will ship it to you for free. I would like to know too

Done.

 

[Redmt]

Weigh a penny and send it with it with the weight on a piece of paper.

 

[cowboy]

Explain this to my now really confused brain. You're using the same pan? The pan holder with the calibration weights has never come apart? The beam has never been dropped? The screw pad for fine tuning adjusts both up and down? I don't understand how something that relies on gravity can fail.

In my experience it could very well be the pivot point is very slightly worn at the pivot. It’s been quite a few years ago but I’ve had 2 beam scales rebuilt and recalibrated. One is an Ohaus triple beam that measures in grains. Probably bought it in the 70’s.
My memory says the guy I dealt with is in California. I also bought a rebuilt one from him - that’s what you do when you have boys and they move out and set up their own reloading benches.
I’m betting it’s your pivot point - top, bottom or both.
That pivot point should be Havalon blade thin.

 

[rogerthat]

In my experience it could very well be the pivot point is very slightly worn at the pivot. It’s been quite a few years ago but I’ve had 2 beam scales rebuilt and recalibrated. One is an Ohaus triple beam that measures in grains. Probably bought it in the 70’s.
My memory says the guy I dealt with is in California. I also bought a rebuilt one from him - that’s what you do when you have boys and they move out and set up their own reloading benches.
I’m betting it’s your pivot point - top, bottom or both.
That pivot point should be Havalon blade thin.

I bet you’re right. Once the mail goes out tomorrow it will be @Redmt project

 

[Redmt]

The older I get the more time I have to fiddle with little projects like this. I don't care about why something breaks I like to find out why.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I found beam scales to be WAY too slow and wildly inconsistent. I moved on pretty quickly. Would quit reloading, if I had to go back to using one.

 

[Redmt]

I found beam scales to be WAY too slow and wildly inconsistent. I moved on pretty quickly. Would quit reloading, if I had to go back to using one.

I don't understand how a correctly functioning balance beam scale can be inconsistent? Could you explain please? I'm always open to learning something. I've been using the same rcbs scale for probably nearly 50 years. Besides the tab on the pan breaking off and having to recalibrate for a different pan, it has always been dead nuts. I ran across the original box for it yesterday and it had a $44.00 price tag on it!

 

[MTTW]

I have been using a balance beam scale for 50 years and I actually don't know if it weighs exactly the same as someone else's. I do have an electronic scale that I use for some things like sorting cast bullets, and I believe it is less consistent than the beam scale.