RCBS 505 scale keeps losing zero

[45C]

Hello
My RCBS 505 keeps losing zero quite frequently, I have to rest it about every 4 or 5 rounds.
I’m thinking of upgrading to something more reliable.

Thinking of something in the mid price range.

Any opinions/advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Brian

 

[boxhitch]

Maybe give it a cleaning?
the area of the pivot knives(?) can be inspected for crud and wear, they have to be sharp
Magnets can also have an influence, but no way they can loose zero imo

 

[45C]

I’ll take it apart and clean it ,see if that helps.

Thanks

 

[stubblejumper]

Check to see if the adjuster wheel is moving. I had one that as I used it, the adjuster slowly turned itself in, ruining the zero. I put a black mark on the adjuster, and another on my bench, and confirmed what was happening.

 

[45C]

It’s driving me crazy, think I’ll go digital

 

[Mystic Precision]

If going digital, just make sure it will not drift... at least now, you can see if the readings are changing. With a digi scale, you can't...

Unsure how a balance beam scale can loose zero? Something is hanging up or moving. Assume you have it on a hard level surface?

Jerry

 

[DBeato]

I feel your pain, I gave up on mine, tried all suggestions above, same thing.

 

[FLHTCUI]

If going digital, just make sure it will not drift... at least now, you can see if the readings are changing. With a digi scale, you can't...

Unsure how a balance beam scale can loose zero? Something is hanging up or moving. Assume you have it on a hard level surface?

Jerry

Likely dirty pivot points and or dirty magnetic damper.
And , yes a big YES on being able to see drift with a balance beam scale.
Op, if your frustrated now, wait till you try and use powder throwers....
Rob

 

[45C]

It’s sitting on my bench, which is solid.
I’m constantly turning that small white wheel up or down.

 

[OkayShooter]

Likely dirty pivot points and or dirty magnetic damper.
And , yes a big YES on being able to see drift with a balance beam scale.
Op, if your frustrated now, wait till you try and use powder throwers....
Rob

Powder throwers are for throwing the bulk, then you use a trickler to fine tune. I never expected a thrower to be nothing more than using it to make bulk ammo.

 

[stubblejumper]

It’s sitting on my bench, which is solid.
I’m constantly turning that small white wheel up or down.

Mark the white wheel, and mark the bench, so you can see if it is turning on it's own, as you use it. Mine was.

 

[270 totheend]

Check to see if the adjuster wheel is moving. I had one that as I used it, the adjuster slowly turned itself in, ruining the zero. I put a black mark on the adjuster, and another on my bench, and confirmed what was happening.

Same thing happened to me and I also put a mark on the adjuster foot to see it move. Constantly moving the wheel will also loosen up the thread and make it move easier. Vibration on the bench allows the adjuster to move, think of your press arm hitting top or bottom of stroke. Try slightly deforming thread on adjuster foot or applying something to interfere with the thread only to the point it makes movement stiffer.

 

[stubblejumper]

If going digital, just make sure it will not drift... at least now, you can see if the readings are changing. With a digi scale, you can't...

Unsure how a balance beam scale can loose zero? Something is hanging up or moving. Assume you have it on a hard level surface?

Jerry

Actually the digitals have a built in check, if you watch the weight every time you lift the pan off, it should read the same, which is the negative pan weight. If that reading stays the same, the zero and calibration haven't changed.

 

[titch--]

I put some teflon tape on the threads of mine when I used it.

 

[45C]

So just a small sample, zeroed and weighed 5 of the same charge. I know it’s not much but it gets worse.ATTACH]753327[/ATTACH]View attachment 753331

 

[73582]

Actually the digitals have a built in check, if you watch the weight every time you lift the pan off, it should read the same, which is the negative pan weight. If that reading stays the same, the zero and calibration haven't changed.

Made a shroud for around my digital scale, air flow from furnace, and other things I still havnt figured out change the negative weight, it has helped. Sometimes it is steady, other times it can drive a person nuts. I conpensate either way for the charge, hit tare and check my weights occasionally.

 

[Lefty Dick]

Dimple your bench so the chrome knob on the bottom of the zeroing wheel goes below the surface, that way the whole wheel contacts the surface. I made a hardwood stand from left over bannister wood so my 505 and trickler sits more at eye level.

And clean the pivots and recesses on the beam, use keyboard duster and alcohol wipes.

 

[IvoB]

From what I can see - the brass piece is too close to the one side - I would make sure that not only are the pivot points sharp (use a fine file) check to see and make sure the plastic white inserts where the pivot point are aligned up properly. My 5-0-5 (old steel version) holds zero.

 

[45C]

The brass plate just looks that way because of the angle of the picture.

Tried all the suggestions except for the last one, it’s now gotten worse… lol but I did discover that the white plastic wheel do not sit flat on the table ,it’s only making contact on one side.
But this happened after I recessed the screw on the bottom.

 

[45C]

I’m looking for something different anyway maybe it’s time for an upgrade.
Something a bit faster wouldn’t hurt either.