Ccctennis said:
I just want a flat compact scale at my progressive room that doesn't drift and is reliable.
In the digital scale myth busting thread, we found even cheaper $20-$30 digital scales were accurate and consistent enough for reloading -
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9591790#post9591790
I used both American Weigh Scales OIML M2 class aluminum/Ohaus ASTM Class 6 stainless steel check weights down to 1 mg (.015 gr) and two Ohaus 10-10 beam scales which were verified repeatable down to 10 mg (.15 gr) check weights. Also, two pieces of 1/4"x1/4" 20 lb copy paper was used which Ohaus 10-10 detected at one piece and weight just over .1 gr with two pieces.
Frankford Arsenal DS-750 with .1 gr resolution was accurate within .1 gr of Ohaus 10-10 and verified all the check weights down to 10 mg (.15 gr) with slight deviation with the 10 mg check weight. Detected 2-3 pieces of paper and read .1 gr.
Gemini-20 with .02 gr resolution was spot on with Ohaus 10-10 and verified all the check weights down to 10 mg (.15 gr) but failed to register 1 mg (.015 gr) due to .02 gr resolution. Detected one piece of paper at .06 gr and two pieces at .12 gr consistently (.02 gr resolution rounding up to .06/.12 gr).
Although Gemini-20 digital scale was more sensitive with lower resolution, I found it too sensitive as air movement in the room would change the readings to the point I needed to constantly use the cover to weigh powder charges (I had air vent and door/window to the room closed).
I store the Gemini-20 away from the bench in a vibration free storage area but keep the FA DS-750 on the bench as it is less sensitive and not affected by air movement yet still accurate enough for my reloading needs down to .1 gr resolution.
Here are the findings from the thread:
- Digital scales can be accurate and consistent to .1 gr and be trusted for reloading
- Price of digital scale may not be as significant as the resolution of the scale (.1 gr vs .02 gr)
- While .015 - .02 gr resolution may detect lower weights, .1 gr resolution is sufficient for reloading
- 1/4"x1/4" pieces of 20 lb paper/post-it note weigh between .04 gr - .06 gr (or around .05 gr average)
- 2-3 pieces of 1/4"x1/4" paper should register .1 gr on any beam or digital scale
- When your digital scale fails to detect smaller weights, you can weigh alongside heavier weights
FA DS-750 - .1 gr resolution, .1 gr detection of 2-3 pieces of 20 lb paper, .5 gr check weight verified ($25-$30)
Gemini-20 - .02 gr resolution, .06 gr detection of 1 piece of 20 lb paper, .5 gr check weight verified ($20)
RCBS/Pact Powder Pro - .1 gr resolution, .1 gr detection of 2 pieces of 20 lb paper, .5 gr check weight verified ($150)
Pact 120v - .1 gr detection of 3 pieces of printer paper, check weight verified
A&D FX120i - .015 gr resolution, .04 gr detection of 1 piece of post-it note ($400)
Mettler AE200 - .0015 gr resolution, .058 gr detection of 1 piece of notepad ($200)
Acculab VIC123 - .015 gr resolution, .04 gr detection of 1 piece of 20 lb paper, .5 gr check weight verified ($240)
RCBS Range Master 750 - .1 gr resolution, Failed to detect up to 10 pieces of 20 lb paper ($110)