Beam scale not reading properly?

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lawlu

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Hello,
I need some assitance with veryifying validity of scale.
What I am doing is placing the brass weight that is supplied with my Ohaus scale on the tray and balancing the weight to the note #of grains. However, when I take it off, it doesn't exactly sit at zero. In fact it is one line below zero. When I try to go the other way, zero out the scale first, it gives the the same results. The weight is off by one line. Any ideas?
 
No comment on your situation. I have changed over to digital scales, which are more dangerous for errors. You can't see the error.

I have a 223 40 gr bullet taped to the scale and use it as a test weight from time to time. just to make sure nothing stupid has happened.
 
You should be able to zero the scale with nothing in the pan. The pointer should indicate zero when empty. There an adjusting screw somewhere on the base? The surface you have the scale on should be flat too.
 
I have changed over to digital scales, which are more dangerous for errors. You can't see the error.
Click to expand...

Actually you can verify the calibration by watching the weight of the pan every time you lift the pan off to dump the powder.If the pan weight remains constant,the calibration and zero are both correct.
 
This advice is well and good.
However, one of my life's experiences was the same problem.
End result......... the scale was worn out. The anvils that the beam knives sat on were worn as well as were the knives.
End result.... RCBS repaired the scale for me...no charge.
 
set the weights in grains on the beam..
put your known weight in the pan that matches/equals the weight in grains you just set
then adjust the zero with the foot thingy,,
should be pretty well zero when the weight is taken off and the weights are reset to zero.
 
This problem can happen if there is a bit of grease or foreign material in the v groove (RCBS call them bearings) of where the beam sits. Remove the beam from the scale and with a q-tip dipped in some rubbing alcohol, clean both sides of the plastic V that the beam rides on. Also clean the beam where it rides really well (pivots) and then try it again.

If it still is doing the same thing, then when you look at the plastic v grooves are there ridges on them?
 
lawlu said:
Hello,
I need some assitance with veryifying validity of scale.
What I am doing is placing the brass weight that is supplied with my Ohaus scale on the tray and balancing the weight to the note #of grains. However, when I take it off, it doesn't exactly sit at zero. In fact it is one line below zero. When I try to go the other way, zero out the scale first, it gives the the same results. The weight is off by one line. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Check your pan holder, on both my Lyman and rcbs scales there is a screw that when removed reveals very small lead balls that you can add or subtract to obtain perfect zero, just remember to replace the pan on each adjustment.
 
7.62mm said:
Are the lines of the scale, where you take the reading, in .1 grain increments, if so, it is nothing really to worry about, IMHO, as long as it is repeatable!
Click to expand...

:agree:. Just loose the test weight and zero your scales normally. Then, as long as the scale indicator returns to zero each time when you gently disturb the balance, you're going to be A-ok. Make and chrony your rounds using these scales and when you get where you want to be at the range, your scales will be your guide for all future loadings.

Per what 7.62mm said, you're not looking for the Nth degree of accuracy empirically speaking, you just need to repeat whatever results happen to ring the gong.
 
Thanks boys. The scale zeros all the time.
I was just concerned as I did what "noneck180" had suggested and when I lifted the weight off, it never ever quite read zero. It did however repeatedly read slightly below zero.

I guess I am ok then. Just very picky...
 
shootist22-250 said:
This advice is well and good.
However, one of my life's experiences was the same problem.
End result......... the scale was worn out. The anvils that the beam knives sat on were worn as well as were the knives.
End result.... RCBS repaired the scale for me...no charge.
Click to expand...

x2, these things do not last for ever
 
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