Digital Scale vs Balance Scale

I use the Lyman 1200, and despite negative reports by some folks, I've found it works well. However, due to the warm up time needed if I want to put together just a few rounds, or try something spur of the moment I use my balence beam scale which is a 505. I've used a 10-10, but prefer the 505 as I didn't care for the 10-10's adjusting wheel. Accuracy of all 3 scales seems to be equal - based on check weights.
 
Locally, I've found a Frankfort Arsenal digital for about 60 bux. It's tough to make a digital scale with the sensitivity, accuracy and precision that we reloaders need. A digital that appraoches the sensitivity of the Lee balance would probably be $1k.

Remember that a balance measures mass; but a scale measures weight.
 
Splatter said:
.

Remember that a balance measures mass; but a scale measures weight.
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:confused: Pardon-ay-moi?

Can you elaborate? I think ya lost me.....



I got a Lyman LE-300 for a gift a couple years ago. Haven't used the balance beam since. Not sure what that means.......:D

The only fault I can find with it is it only goes to 300gr. So for heavy bullets I am out of luck, for powder I think it's great.
 
I love my RCBS 1500. Very accurate, I can see slight breezes over it change it and so on. Faster than the balance and in big bold numbers for us getting blinder and dumber with age.
 
joe-nwt said:
:confused: Pardon-ay-moi?

Can you elaborate? I think ya lost me.....
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To use an extreme example, a 100 grain bullet would only weigh 25 grains on the moon; but if you were using a balance, the mass would still be 100 grains. And it's the mass you accelerate, not the weight.
 
And what does a balance-beam scale indicate when the beam is stationary?

weight (w
amacr.gif
t)
n. Abbr. wt. or w 1. A measure of the heaviness of an object.
2. The force with which a body is attracted to Earth or another celestial body, equal to the product of the object's mass and the acceleration of gravity.
3. a. A unit measure of gravitational force: a table of weights and measures.
b. A system of such measures: avoirdupois weight; troy weight.

4. The measured heaviness of a specific object: a two-pound weight.
5. An object used principally to exert a force by virtue of its gravitational attraction to Earth, especially: a. A metallic solid used as a standard of comparison in weighing.
b. An object used to hold something else down.
c.A counterbalance in a machine. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
d. Sports A heavy object, such as a dumbbell, lifted for exercise or in athletic competition.
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I need more 'splainin.:D

On the mass measuring.

mass (m
abreve.gif
s) n. 1. A unified body of matter with no specific shape: a mass of clay.
2. A grouping of individual parts or elements that compose a unified body of unspecified size or quantity: "Take mankind in mass, and for the most part, they seem a mob of unnecessary duplicates" Herman Melville.
3. A large but nonspecific amount or number: a mass of bruises.
4. The principal part; the majority: the mass of the continent.
5. The physical volume or bulk of a solid body.
6. Abbr. m Physics A property of matter equal to the measure of an object's resistance to changes in either the speed or direction of its motion. The mass of an object is not dependent on gravity and therefore is different from but proportional to its weight.
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To use an extreme example, a 100 grain bullet would only weigh 25 grains on the moon; but if you were using a balance, the mass would still be 100 grains. And it's the mass you accelerate, not the weight.
Click to expand...

When you start reloading on the moon,you need to take that into account.Until then,there is no need to worry about it.:D
 
JNG said:
How about Jupiter?
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See, that's the beauty of measuring mass, rather than weight. You can keep using the same loading data. if you are loading on the moon or Jupiter; but if you are loading on Uranus, you'll have a hard time bolting your press down ;)
 
maybe a cheaper alternative to name brand...

Opinions welcome on a good basic scale cause I am also shopping for one.

http://www.canadianweigh.com/NewWEB/Pocketscales.html
I sent these guys an email and this was there responce.

There are a few options of scales that would suit your needs. The following
are a few different sized scales with different max weights that all weigh
to 0.1gn:

The JS 50X - $69.85 - 775gn x 0.1gn - comes with a 5 year warranty, small
weighing tray

The iBalance 201 - $109.00 - 3000gn x 0.1gn - comes with a lifetime/30 year
warranty, small weighing tray, comes with included adaptor as well as
calibration weight

The iBalance 101 - $189.90 - 1543.2gn x 0.1gn - comes with lifetime/30 year
warranty, large stainless weighing tray, ac adaptor and calibration weight
included, as well as a protective wind cover.

The Durascale 50/100 - $114.95/$134.95 - 775gn/1550gn x 0.1gn - come with
lifetime/30 year warranty, medium sized weigh tray, removable lid that can
be used as a weighing bowl, comes with batteries, a pouch, a calibration
weight and also has rubber bumpers which help with scale accuracy and
stability.

I hope that fully covers all your questions and concerns, if you need any
further information, please feel free to email me back.

Liz
 
I had a browse through that site. All the scales I looked at read grams not grains.

If you want the scale to be easy and fast to use in the reloading room, best to have one that reads grains.

But you may not agree.
 
I have the RCBS Partner scale from about 8 years back, the new replacement model is the Chargemaster. It works very well, is accurate and faster than the 1010 I also have. The 3/4" readout is nice as it is easy to see, when you get to my age, thats a bonus in itself.
I also own a Dillon Dterminator, not fond of that 1. Accurate but does not take trickling well.
My newest purchase is from Sinclair, an Acculab model VIC123 at touch over $500.00 to buy, a real prick to get set up, but once you get past that a truly wonderful scale. Measures to the 100th of a grain. Now all I got to do is see if my shooting is better now that my loads are within 3/100s of a grain maximum powder charge variation.

Something I did learn quite by accident is that electronic scales are subject to erroneous reading if used in proximity to cell phones or cordless phones, I guess thats why hospitals have warnings to this effect. Slight air movement or barometric pressure changes can also change the readings.
After using the digitals I would never go back to a beam scale.
KK
 
Joe, I believe all of the scales read in grams; but, some scales are switchable to read in grams and carats and grains and probably ounces and pounds (but probably not stones or scruples)
 
Looks to me that these 3 read grains to .1 of a grain.
These are commerical scales used by labs or jewlers etc.

I am new at this. I just bought a dillon 550 and want to load .38 and 9mm and maybe rifle someday. The advice was given that these would do a good job for the price.


Durascale 50/100 $114.95/$134.95

JS 50X $69.85

The iBalance 201 $109.00

Also do I need a tray for the scale?
 
ruger22 said:
Looks to me that these 3 read grains to .1 of a grain.
These are commerical scales used by labs or jewlers etc.

I am new at this. I just bought a dillon 550 and want to load .38 and 9mm and maybe rifle someday. The advice was given that these would do a good job for the price.


Durascale 50/100 $114.95/$134.95

JS 50X $69.85

The iBalance 201 $109.00

Also do I need a tray for the scale?
Click to expand...


Oops, I stand corrected.(Again!:D )

Yes you will need a tray for powder. Once the tray is on the scale, just zero the scale and away you go.
 
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