Lee Safety Powder Beam Scale zeroing

[Travel240z]

I have been trying to zero my new Lee scale. I ran into problems with setting the scale to zero, removing the powder pan then replacing it, and it would not return to zero.

The problem that I found is that the pan does not always return to the exact position on the beam scale when you place it back on the scale. Therefore, I took a triangular file to the hanger on the powder pan and filed a notch. To make it a little tighter I used a couple of vice grips and bent the hanger rod closer together to make a sharper V notch. It is almost 100% repeatable (I have to give the pan a little rock to ensure it seats in the exact same spot).

I was also thinking about taking a round file to the beam itself where the pan sits to remove some of the burrs and make a sharper knife edge for the pan. The problem with this is that I think it may screw up the calibration of the beam due to metal being removed from the beam itself. (Note: I had no problem filing the pan hanger since would not have been included in the beam calibration)

Anyway, just thought I would share incase any one else was swearing at their new beam scale for a couple of hours thinking that gravity on one side of the scale changed everytime they took a breath........

 

[Colin]

Interesting mine has been perfect, you know that you can zero the scale by turning the brass nut?

 

[Newmer]

Mine has been perfect as well. I find I rarely have to recalibrate zero. Only problem I have found is the air currents in the room caused by the overhead furnace vents, will rock the scale.

 

[Travel240z]

Interesting mine has been perfect, you know that you can zero the scale by turning the brass nut?

Yep, adjusted the nut to zero, then take the pan off and replace it and it was out to lunch. Zero'ed again and repeat with the same results for about an hour last night and another hour this morning. Then started by pushing the pan in and the beam would be below the mark, pulled the pan out and it would be way above the mark. Even the twist of the pan would effect it.

With the new notch on the hanger it has almost perfect placement. As stated above I still have to give the pan a little wiggle to ensure it is seated.

After a little more thought, filing the beam where the pan sits to get rid of the burrs will have no effect on calibration. The calibration is 100% dependent on the placement of the calibrated slide and the knife edge between the beam and the base and not the balance of the two sides which is corrected by the brass nut.

 

[iceman2]

Make sure you are balancing your beak on the razorblade in its notch in the base properly and the beam is centetred in its groove and not touching the dampening magnets. Mine has been super repeatable.

 

[scianna54]

Mine is 100 % accurate

 

[CanAm]

also make sure that you do not knock the 0.1 grain slider out as you move the pan. It is very sensitive to movement.

 

[Colin]

If i recall there is a little button you can push to lock the slider on the weight you want.

 

[Travel240z]

I just checked and the slide is still locked at 0 with the 1,0, and 9 in white showing on the .1 grain gaduations. It has not moved.

 

[Breaker61]

Mine sucked from day one. Got a good digital scale with check weights and forgot about the Lee " Romper Room scale ". Not to knock Lee, most of my gear is Lee, but the scale just didn't cut it.

 

[Travel240z]

Mine sucked from day one. Got a good digital scale with check weights and forgot about the Lee " Romper Room scale ". Not to knock Lee, most of my gear is Lee, but the scale just didn't cut it.

Before I made my modification I would have agreed with you. The last 50 or so times I have tried it has returned to zero. I truly think it is the pan hanger that is the problem for placement and maybe mine just did not have enough of an arc were it would hang onto the beam. It is working fine now. Will try for a while more to gain 100% confidence in the scale and then start with the powder.

 

[zuke]

How much was it off after each time you replaced the pan?

 

[scs]

Don't forget that you are dealing with 1/10 grain increments,How much variation are you getting?

 

[Travel240z]

Here are the readings that I got in the exact order. Completely removed the pan after each reading.

Small piece of steel
44.1, 44.8, 44.2, 44.7, 44.1, 44.7, 44.3

Just the pan
-0.2, 0.2, -0.2, 0.4, -0.2, -0.2, 0.0, 0.0

I think that this does not look good since the variance of the powder I am going to use is 1 grain from min to max in my reloading books.

It was weird that it would varry from high to low in each subsequent reading. I am at a complete loss with what to try next on this. I am going to Calgary this next week, maybe I will grab a digital scale.

 

[scs]

wow 2/3 of a grain is not good

 

[gps]

I laughed a bit reading the OP's post because I was not so patient...lol! I used the beam scale for a few loads and said, "F this," and went out and bought a good digital scale.

 

[rookie wildcat]

Mine sucked from day one. Got a good digital scale with check weights and forgot about the Lee " Romper Room scale ". Not to knock Lee, most of my gear is Lee, but the scale just didn't cut it.

Yep. Same here. Almost all my gear is Lee except for the scale and the powder measure. And I am one of thier staunchest supporters on this forum but, mine were junk and I wasn't patient enough to screw with it.

 

[mikeystew]

Mine works perfect also.

 

[RUPZUK]

May be a silly question, but you do have it on a good flat level surface right.
I never had any problems with mine, beware of the cheap electronic scales - I found you get what you paid for...

 

[jdman]

Saw one of these today at a buddies place. I tried to zero it for him, and it is very sensitive! I said, whoa! Dont use this thing, i will find you one. I have a 5-10 RCBS and it is great!