Z-Michigan
Member
Great job Spring-couple - obviously both the handloading and the target shooting is going well for you!
+1
+1
I know...it's about time....
- Thread starter springmom
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BullsEye10x
Member
Welcome to reloading from a fellow Texan! The more you use your LCT press, the more you'll like it (at least that's been my experience).
Quoholeth and others:
If there's a breeze, it's from the air conditioner. Entirely possible that it is the culprit. I have to turn off the a/c when I'm gilding icons because gold leaf blows all over creation if you don't. It could be that that's what's going on. The desk we're using could be heavier, too, I suppose. But no, I'm not exaggerating. It just keeps going back and forth, and since I cannot accurately measure the swing, I'm not willing to "guesstimate" that it's good enough.
I've clearly demonstrated that the damper is there; however, there's enough space between the magnets and the plate that it doesn't seem to exert enough effect to slow it enough. It's probably a quirk of the way the magnets are inset into the base on this particular unit. Certainly doesn't imply that all Lee scales are trash. Just that we're having problems with ours.
Springmom
If there's a breeze, it's from the air conditioner. Entirely possible that it is the culprit. I have to turn off the a/c when I'm gilding icons because gold leaf blows all over creation if you don't. It could be that that's what's going on. The desk we're using could be heavier, too, I suppose. But no, I'm not exaggerating. It just keeps going back and forth, and since I cannot accurately measure the swing, I'm not willing to "guesstimate" that it's good enough.
I've clearly demonstrated that the damper is there; however, there's enough space between the magnets and the plate that it doesn't seem to exert enough effect to slow it enough. It's probably a quirk of the way the magnets are inset into the base on this particular unit. Certainly doesn't imply that all Lee scales are trash. Just that we're having problems with ours.
Springmom
Back to the magnets. The plate should swing approximately halfway between them. On my scale there is a fairly large gap on each side of the plate, maybe 1/8".
In the interest of science (called my curiosity), I just disassembled my scale to see if the orientation of the magnets makes any difference. It makes a big difference! When I put it back together with the magnets not oriented N-S, the beam oscillation went on and on, i.e, there was no damping. I stopped after about 10 oscillations. When I put the magnets back in their original N-S orientation, the beam stopped dead still after 2 oscillations.
To check the magnets, you'll have to remove them. In my scale (an Ohaus as are most scales no matter whose name is actually on the outside), there is a screw and a U shaped non-ferrous retainer holding the magnets in place. If you can get the magnets out, let them touch each other. If they are correctly oriented, they will stick to each other squarely (mark the top of each of them at this point). If not, they will still stick to each other, but not until they are clearly off center. Replace the magnets with the marks in the same position as when they were being tested.
Did you buy the scale new or used? If used, someone may have messed with the magnets. Actually, even if new, they could have been installed incorrectly.
If the magnet test doesn't prove anything, then, like several others, I suspect a wind draft. I also tested that with a very gentle breeze and it definitely affected the operation of the scale - the beam would oscillate far too long.
In the interest of science (called my curiosity), I just disassembled my scale to see if the orientation of the magnets makes any difference. It makes a big difference! When I put it back together with the magnets not oriented N-S, the beam oscillation went on and on, i.e, there was no damping. I stopped after about 10 oscillations. When I put the magnets back in their original N-S orientation, the beam stopped dead still after 2 oscillations.
To check the magnets, you'll have to remove them. In my scale (an Ohaus as are most scales no matter whose name is actually on the outside), there is a screw and a U shaped non-ferrous retainer holding the magnets in place. If you can get the magnets out, let them touch each other. If they are correctly oriented, they will stick to each other squarely (mark the top of each of them at this point). If not, they will still stick to each other, but not until they are clearly off center. Replace the magnets with the marks in the same position as when they were being tested.
Did you buy the scale new or used? If used, someone may have messed with the magnets. Actually, even if new, they could have been installed incorrectly.
If the magnet test doesn't prove anything, then, like several others, I suspect a wind draft. I also tested that with a very gentle breeze and it definitely affected the operation of the scale - the beam would oscillate far too long.
Quoheleth
Member
You would be amazed at what differnece just a little breeze makes on this delicate scale. I couldn't believe it at first when I was trying to reload under that fan...the balance bar was dancing like Puff Diddy at Dancing With the Stars reunion tour.
Seriously, Springmom...call Lee tomorrow and tell them what it's doing and ask about it. Knowing Lee's reputation, I wouldn't be surprised if a new one is on its way to you muy pronto.
Q
Seriously, Springmom...call Lee tomorrow and tell them what it's doing and ask about it. Knowing Lee's reputation, I wouldn't be surprised if a new one is on its way to you muy pronto.
Q
jerkface11
Member
Call me a brand snob if you like but I prefer a scale that works.I've dealt with 2 or 3 of these lee scales. They all did the same thing that Springmoms is doing. Try hitting the local gunshops and see if they have a used scale from another maker for cheap.
As for calling Lee and them making it right I doubt it. When the carbide fell out of my new Lee dies they insisted that I pay to ship the dies back to them before they'd replace it. Once the extra shipping cost was figured in the Lee dies cost just as much as RCBS. grrr
As for calling Lee and them making it right I doubt it. When the carbide fell out of my new Lee dies they insisted that I pay to ship the dies back to them before they'd replace it. Once the extra shipping cost was figured in the Lee dies cost just as much as RCBS. grrr
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Griz44
Member
Shame. Maybe you approached them with the same gentle approach you use here. I screwed up a primer trough cover, spring and a primer slider because I was not paying attention. I ordered replacements on their website, even stated that it was my fault. They never charged my card for the parts, did not ask for any defective parts back, and sent the new pieces out that day. Seemed to be really nice folks at Lee.
ForneyRider
Member
I use the Lee scale and it works pretty good.
I turn the fan off to keep it from moving around. The scale is very sensitive. For plastic and pot metal, it has taken a beating and held up.
20$ is hard to beat. Although the 100gr range is limiting when I want to weigh my bullets.
I turn the fan off to keep it from moving around. The scale is very sensitive. For plastic and pot metal, it has taken a beating and held up.
20$ is hard to beat. Although the 100gr range is limiting when I want to weigh my bullets.
springmom this may sound funny but a way to check if it is a wayward airflow making your scale all nuts, take the scale and put it into a place that has no airflow like the bottom of your bathtub for example. drop a powder charge in there an what I do is kind of slow the scale down with my fingers and then let it settle ,
if the darn thing keeps jumping all over the place even when you are sure there is no airflow. then give lee a call.
if the darn thing keeps jumping all over the place even when you are sure there is no airflow. then give lee a call.
Powderman
Member
Two words....
Powderrrrrrr measurrrrrrrrrrre.
Seriously, use your scale to set your powder measure, then throw charges in bulk. It's really much more convenient, and with pistol ammunition and a properly set measure, as long as you use a consistent method of operating the handle you won't get a variance exceeding 1/10th of a grain.
I use Clays for the bulk of my .45 ACP--3.5 to 3.8 under a 200 gr LSWC for target and plinking, and 3.8 to 4.0 for 230 grain ball, again for target and plinking. It's really a good, economical powder.
6.0 to 6.3 of Power Pistol will also give you good results for 230 grain ball. I use a taper crimp and set my crimp for .470 at the case mouth with a seated bullet for all my .45 loading.
Powderrrrrrr measurrrrrrrrrrre.
Seriously, use your scale to set your powder measure, then throw charges in bulk. It's really much more convenient, and with pistol ammunition and a properly set measure, as long as you use a consistent method of operating the handle you won't get a variance exceeding 1/10th of a grain.
I use Clays for the bulk of my .45 ACP--3.5 to 3.8 under a 200 gr LSWC for target and plinking, and 3.8 to 4.0 for 230 grain ball, again for target and plinking. It's really a good, economical powder.
6.0 to 6.3 of Power Pistol will also give you good results for 230 grain ball. I use a taper crimp and set my crimp for .470 at the case mouth with a seated bullet for all my .45 loading.
SSN Vet
Member
I assumed this is what she was trying to do.....
but if I was mistaken, I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.
aerod1
Member
I really don't have any problem with my Lee safety scale. It is inexpensive and works as advertised.
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