Lee safety scale issues

[callen3615]

hey guys, has anyone had issues with the lee safety scales?

I have one that came in a reloading package. I havent been using it, thought it looked cheap. I have been using a cheap digital scale instead. (ironic, i know) Well I recently got it out because I finally want to start load development.

Well I loaded 20 rounds last night and I found it pretty easy to use. I first dumped powder into my cheap digital scale, then fine tuned it on the balance scale.

Now Im starting to load more rounds tonight and Im noticing inconsistencies. I can zero the tray, then remove the tray, replace it and it doesnt return to the same position.

I think the problem lies in the tray and its relationship to the balance beam. I think the arm on the tray can slide around on the balance beam and create inconstant readings.

I may try to cut a notch in the hook of the tray arm to keep it from moving around.

Anyone have and issues with this particular scale or scales like it?

Thanks

 

[Helter]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

I got probably the same kit, and found the lee scale borderline impossible to use.
I don't find fighting with a scale to be much fun, so I just replaced it with a better scale.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

Lee's little scale is inexpensive but very sensitive and very accurate in use; it is not 'cheap'. It's so light that fumble fisted guys like me often have difficulty with it but that's no criticism of the scale or its suitablily for its purpose.

No matter where you place the pan on any scale hanger it all pulls down with gravity and exactly the same way. If you're having problems with repeatability it's probably due to dirty or misaligned pivots and that would be true of any beam scale.


Reloader grade digital scales are much to quirky and unreliable for me, I'll stick to my beams. Now, let the guys who get lucky start telling us all about how they have used their magic digital for six months with no problems at all. (Or six years, which happens but is quite uncommon, but I can counter that my first beam is now 47 years old and still going strong.)

 

[Helter]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

One thing I did notice while fighting with mine, was that the magnetic dampening could get stuck. Check that the dampener is not stuck to either side, but floating in the middle. If that touches either magnet, it will stop there.
For me that tended to happen at the very top or bottom, but I suppose it could happen in the middle too.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Helter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One thing I did notice while fighting with mine, was that the magnetic dampening could get stuck. Check that the dampener is not stuck to either side, but floating in the middle. If that touches either magnet, it will stop there.
For me that tended to happen at the very top or bottom, but I suppose it could happen in the middle too. </div></div>

The thing to be very cautious about with magnetic damping scales is that they tend to snatch any fine metal particles that may be floating in the air. Clean a case neck with some steel wool and some of the "wool" floats around. My RCBS 5-0-5 got "sticky" last week. Couldn't figure out how this old reliable scale would suddenly let me down after 30+ years. Removed the beam, looked into the gap where the magnets are concealed, and there it was. A small "whisker" of steel wool.

On comparing charges on scales----

There is only ONE way to determine if a scale is accurate and that's by using a known and accurately weighed reference weight. A good investment would be a simple set of "Check Weights". Bullets don't make good reference weights as they vary too much from the factory. They also tend to weigh more than the usual powder charges so you have no way of knowing if your scale is "linear" and capable of giving accurate readings over the entire range.

I wouldn't recommend just comparing the weight of a powder charge weighed on one scale with the indicated weight on another scale. Which one's telling the truth????

 

[boltgunluvr]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

So many people are not aware of the utmost simplicity of the Lee Safety Scale. It gets a raw deal in reviews. Its very easy to makes things more difficult than necessary. Love this scale. My bests rounds utilize this scale. There are other beam scales I like too. Like other things, comes down to a matter of preference.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

Something that amuses me is how many think magnetic dampening actually affects the scale's accuracy. The makers use magnetic dampening on a copper or aluminum vane specifically because it has NO affect when the non-magnetic beam stops moving.

 

[Rick 324]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

First thing that I replaced after I bought my Lee Kit was the Scale. Bought an RCBS and had no problems. I now use a Lyman 1200 automatic scale and check my loads on the RCBS. Even the most expensive scales can be off.

Good Luck!!!

 

[zuke]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

I've been using mine for 25+ year's.
When you pour in your charge give the tray a little shake to level it off and spread it around the bottom more evenly, you'll find it more consistant then.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Something that amuses me is how many think magnetic dampening actually affects the scale's accuracy. The makers use magnetic dampening on a copper or aluminum vane specifically because it has NO affect when the non-magnetic beam stops moving. </div></div>

True----Unless the magnets have picked up some fine pieces of metal like wayward slivers from steel wool. Hard to see but will cause beam to stick, not moving with small changes in weight.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> True----Unless the magnets have picked up some fine pieces of metal like wayward slivers from steel wool. Hard to see but will cause beam to stick, not moving with small changes in weight. </div></div>
True again. But people who don't keep their tools clean don't need magnets to screw them up.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> True----Unless the magnets have picked up some fine pieces of metal like wayward slivers from steel wool. Hard to see but will cause beam to stick, not moving with small changes in weight. </div></div>
True again. But people who don't keep their tools clean don't need magnets to screw them up. </div></div>

Just out of curiosity, do you take the beam off your scale and clean between the magnets before using the scale, every time?

Even "clean freaks" can be surprised from time to time.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Lee safety scale issues

<span style="font-style: italic">"... do you take the beam off your scale and clean between the magnets before using the scale, every time?"</span>

No, not quite. But I've taken the beam off before use everytime to brush out the V bearings and clean the knives, and have done so since '65. And I do take a look at the rest of it for dust or spider web, etc, before replacing the beam. Many pounds of powder have been through that little pan so maybe my method is at least part of why the old Lyman M-5 still reads exactly the same as it did the day I opened the box?

In all that time I've never had a skipped powder charge nor an overload either.