Doc Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 I have an old Texan mechanical powder scale. I believe that the exact same design scale is marketed by Hornady today. It is in "like new" condition because I inherited it from my father and he hardly ever used it. The problem? The stupid thing will not consistantly repeat measurements. I can have a load all carefully trickled and if I slightly push the balance beam, when it settles down it occasionally come to rest as much as 1 or 2 tenths of a grain away from the original zeroed out position. This has turned trickling into a long and frustrating process. I don't understand it. the principle is about as simple as you can get. I mean, gravity is gravity.....right? I have scrubbed every pivot point absolutely spotless and ensured that there is no oil, grease, grit or other contaminants on any of the pivots, but the problem still exists. Is there anyone else here that has encountered such a problem? Is there anyone who has found, or can suggest any solutions? I would go out and get a new one, but without understanding the cause, I'm afraid I will just spend money and run into the same problem. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Re: Powder Scale Problems I think you are going to find this with almost any scale. That is why in their advertisiments, they say +/-.1 grain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 Re: Powder Scale Problems I had the same problem with my Lyman balance beam scale. I don't know if the arm got bent where the magnet dampens it or what. I got fed up and went with an electronic scale. I have not looked back. One very sensitive balance beam scale I found was the Lee. It was ok but did not have a large enough capacity for the big magnum rifle cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted September 17, 2006 Report Share Posted September 17, 2006 Re: Powder Scale Problems Sounds like Doc covered the bases well trying to get the scale to be consistent. I too abandoned my RCBS beam scale for an electronic unit. I did find for hunting purposes the loads weighed on the beam scale shot very closely at 100 yards regardless of calibre. .1 tenth of a grain didn't seem to make any difference in point of impact. If I were shooting competition it might be a different story though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted September 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2006 Re: Powder Scale Problems The problem is that when I go to all the trouble of trickling, I want the results to be perfect. No, I didn't see anything on the bench that indicated that the tenth or two grain differences really affected the 100 yard groups. But, it just seems to me that something with as simple a physics principle should be perfect. Besides, I am trying to obtain as near perfect consistancy in my reloading procedures and measurements and it really bugs me that I have this unexplained, built in "inconsistancy". Gosh, it's only a teeter-totter and gravity. I suspect there are some super-slight friction and inertia effects at work here. Are the electronic scales claiming any better accuracy? I've had my eye on those units, but so far the price has kept me away. What is the principle that those units run on? Is it some kind of super-sensitive load cell or something? Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted September 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: Powder Scale Problems I had a couple of questions about the electronic powder scales in my previous reply that I am really interested in the answers to. Are the electronic scales claiming any better accuracy? What is the principle that those units run on? Is it some kind of super-sensitive load cell or something? Anyone want to try an answer to these? I might be in the market for one of these and would like as much info as possible to see if the benefits justify buying one. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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