The RCBS 505 Scale is not worth the volume of air it takes up.

[Just some guy]

My RCBS 505 scale is a piece of junk!! It does the exact same thing that the original posters scale does. Carefully balance scale, put a charge in, take the pan off and put it back on and it reads a completely different weight. typical error +/- up to .3 grains. Thats a spread of .6 grains and who knows where the actually weight is, on the high side or low.

I got my scale in a the same kit, in late 2006, and have been frustrated with it ever since.

Do you self a favor, dont buy one of these.

I cant even figure out how they could make a balance scale so poorly, as such scales have been being used for what? 2000 years anyway? How do you make a balance scale so it cant even balance RCBS?

Anybody want mine?

 

[rutten]

Just Some Guy, I can find a use for the scale if you do not want it.

 

[Ol` Joe]

My RCBS 505 scale is a piece of junk!! It does the exact same thing that the original posters scale does. Carefully balance scale, put a charge in, take the pan off and put it back on and it reads a completely different weight. typical error +/- up to .3 grains. Thats a spread of .6 grains and who knows where the actually weight is, on the high side or low

If you look back throught the post here you`ll see I`ve addressed this earlier. The problem really isn`t as bad as one thinks. I`d bet if you trickle a charge to a set wgt and lift the pan and replace it the scale will read the same every time. Change the wgt you trickle to and there may be some variation but it will again repete. This is really all that is needed for our purposes. The scales are claimed accurate to 0.10 gr and I have not seen more then that vaiation on my 505, 5-10, 10-10 and yes my Pact digital. BTW, the digital also changes weight when you trickle a charge and lift and replace the pan. It`s called hysteresis and is normal in my limited experiance.

hysteresis

Main Entry: hys·ter·e·sis
Pronunciation: \ˌhis-tə-ˈrē-səs\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural hys·ter·e·ses \-ˌsēz\
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek hysterēsis shortcoming, from hysterein to be late, fall short, from hysteros later — more at out
Date: 1881
: a retardation of an effect when the forces acting upon a body are changed (as if from viscosity or internal friction); especially : a lagging in the values of resulting magnetization in a magnetic material (as iron) due to a changing magnetizing force

The best way to see if your scale is reading right is get a check weight set and see if the scale agrees with them. If so your set to go, if not call the manufacture and have it repaired.

 

[Bruce H.]

I have a Dillon scale that is very similar to the RCBS 505. I have found that if I remove the gold pan I have to rezero the scale again in order to get a good, accurate measurement after I replace the pan. You cannot remove the pan with powder in it and put it back on the scale again and expect to get same exact measurement. The zero on the scale is dependent on how the pan is situated in the pan holder. If you are concerned about a variation of 0.3 grains when you are measuring out 26 grains, you are asking a lot. A variation of 0.3 grains is only 1.15% of 26 grains. I don't know what the specs are for most scales, but I would expect that +/-1.15% would be an acceptable inaccurracy for a typical scale use for reloading purposes.

 

[jacobhh]

I'm sure you're all correctly using the scale and just discussing
how to describe how the scale works.

 

[jacobhh]

+/-1.15% would be an acceptable inaccurracy for a typical scale use for reloading purposes.

Yes, OK accuracy but lousy repeatability. Consistency is what's
needed. Absolute accuracy is chasing shadows in reloading.

 

[Steve in PA]

Guess my 505 is a freak of nature. After 15 years its still perfect. No problems what so ever.

 

[TEDDY]

?????

Nit picking will drive you crazy.pull some factory rifle cart.and check them.you will blow your stack.
I have Redding/Herter.Lee/Rcbs all are 30 yrs old,they all work.and also Lyman sells check weights cheap.I also have Pact elec and a Smart Reloader
SR750 $29 from midsouth.

 

[evan price]

Wow, the same thread resurrected from the past twice. How often does that happen?

 

[Walkalong]

My 505 is just fine.

 

[Master Blaster]

Check your bench and make sure its level use a level to do this. What you describe could be because the surface you have the scale on is not level.

 

[brickeyee]

The knife edges and bearings must be clean.
Completely clean.
No oil.
No dust.
No dirt.

Occasionally a bur can develop on a knife edge if you are not VERY gentle with putting the beam on the bearings, drop even bullets into the pan, or otherwise not treat the scale carefully.
Storing the beam on the bearings is NOT a good idea either.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Wow, the same thread resurrected from the past twice. How often does that happen?

Zombie thread from Hell....

 

[Khornet]

Could be the damping

that scale is magnetically damped, I think. At least the end of the beam has a copper plate which passes between two objects that I've always assumed to be magnets. I try to place my scale away from big metal masses and electric or magnetic field sources for that reason. My 505 works fine and has done so for 23 years. But I'll admit I've never stopped to reweigh a charge. I'm anal enough as it is.

 

[Knucklehead2]

I have a 1010 and had similar problems to the OP.
Of course he is probably long gone but mine would suddenly go off a bunch, that is about half a grain.
Frustrated and ready to use the bigger hammer I pulled the covers off that hold the bearing V blocks. Huge burrs on the casting rolled over to where the bearing was supposed to float. Removed the huge burrs and the scale works as advertised.

 

[Walkalong]

But I'll admit I've never stopped to reweigh a charge

Don't do it, it will only hurt your feelings. :banghead:

 

[Steve Koski]

You should upgrade to the Lee Safety Scale.

 

[brickeyee]

"At least the end of the beam has a copper plate which passes between two objects that I've always assumed to be magnets."

No reason to use copper, any metal works for magnetic damping.
As the metal moves i the field currents are induced that try to oppose the motion.
Less motion, less current.
No motion, no force exerted since the beam is not magnetic.

Static electricity on objects near the scale can throw then off though.
Keep plastic objects away from the scale.

 

[no_problem]

I have two 505 scales, one I use, and one I only tested for accuracy...both work fine. I have used the same one since before the '94 gun ban and it has lasted through at least two moves, graduate school, and my marriage. I have never had to use the backup scale, ever.

all this just to say that my RCBS is a terrific scale.

If you are dissatisfied, contact RCBS. I have had excellent support on their products. It works or they replace it, no questions asked. RCBS is a stand up company. No I do not work for RCBS, Over the years, they have earned my loyalty.

 

[Wildfire]

Just asking

Is that scale on a metal bench?????
They are magnetically dampened. If on a steel bench it will not work right.
These scales always work right , mine has for more then 25 years. Still reads
good with the weights checks.
Check out the steel or something on that order that may be too close to it.

 

[buenhec]

My pact does exactly the same thing. Im thinking of getting a beam scale. It make me nervous.