Scale recommendation

UndFrm

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 13, 2022
111
18
CA
I currently have a RCBS Pocket 1500 and is terrible with the drift. Picking the powder pan up and placing it again shows drift as much as 0.3gr and goes back and forth so there's no way to judge what is the correct reading.
No drafts, wiped the thing with dryer sheet and as away from electronics as possible but the issue is still there.

Other than the beam scale, is there an electronic one that won't drift? Preferably with an auto trickler but not a necessity.
Budget is less than 300USD. That being said, I wouldn't want to spend 300 only to find out that I need to get a fx120 for reliable measure, so if I absolutely need to spend more, let me know and I'll delay my purchasing.

Thank you
 
Since i built my reloading room i had my electrician wire my scale outlet on its own breaker, and only led lights used in the room and i have no more drift with any scales. Still decided to order a AT v4.
 
I owned Chargemaster Lites and they did drift but not a lot when I kept them behind a line conditioner. Dealing with drift is just par of the course until you step up to a better class of scale. If money is tight I think I'd run a Chargemaster and just re-zero frequently. The long term plan would be to save enough money for an FX120 and sell the CM on the PX when the time came.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cpl666k9
I owned Chargemaster Lites and they did drift but not a lot when I kept them behind a line conditioner. Dealing with drift is just par of the course until you step up to a better class of scale. If money is tight I think I'd run a Chargemaster and just re-zero frequently. The long term plan would be to save enough money for an FX120 and sell the CM on the PX when the time came.
When you say frequently, like ever 20 or so measure?
My RCBS Pocket is needed to be recalibrated literally after every load, and even then it's -.1, lift the pan and replace, +.2
Absolutely no way of knowing what correct.

Thank y'all looks like fx120 or chargemaster until fx120 is viable.
 
When you say frequently, like ever 20 or so measure?
My RCBS Pocket is needed to be recalibrated literally after every load, and even then it's -.1, lift the pan and replace, +.2
Absolutely no way of knowing what correct.

Thank y'all looks like fx120 or chargemaster until fx120 is viable.
I would re-zero anytime I had to step away. I also would re-zero every 20 charges when running them.
 

It's a little over the $300 mark, but works really well. Very sensitive. It will pick up the addition of a single kernel of H4350.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BuildingConceptsllc
Honestly, just get a AD120
They are worth it and you will be glad you did. If you can't get one right now save the money and do it. It doesn't take that long to save enough to get a good scale and considering the cost of this hobby, I think everyone here can save enough to get one. The creedmore is also a good scale just not as fast. One or the other for sure, I'd leave that other stuff alone because it just isn't worth it. Creedmore works with new IP set up too Jmo
 
  • Like
Reactions: Herb Stoner
Since i built my reloading room i had my electrician wire my scale outlet on its own breaker, and only led lights used in the room and i have no more drift with any scales. Still decided to order a AT v4.
One way to stabilize the electric supply is to plug into a grounded GFCI outlet. An electronics guy told me that years ago, and I have taken it to heart since.
I had an electronic scale that would drift annoyingly forcing me to zero or calibrate constantly. I took a three prong extension cord, a GFCI breaker, and an outlet box and made a stabilized power supply solely for the scales. Once it has warmed about 5 minutes it is constant and undrifting. Now it works exactly as it should.
A level of safety is added by using the GFCI. You don’t need to use an extension cord but could just replace a regular outlet with a good GFCI.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9965.jpeg
    IMG_9965.jpeg
    367 KB · Views: 13
  • Like
Reactions: johnnyvw
Honestly, just get a AD120
They are worth it and you will be glad you did. If you can't get one right now save the money and do it. It doesn't take that long to save enough to get a good scale and considering the cost of this hobby, I think everyone here can save enough to get one. The creedmore is also a good scale just not as fast. One or the other for sure, I'd leave that other stuff alone because it just isn't worth it. Creedmore works with new IP set up too Jmo
Does anyone make an A&D FX-120 Reloading Kit? I thought Area 419 used to have a full kit but can't seem to find that anymore. Going the "cheaper" route, I have several Lee Perfect Powder Measures, can these be connected to the Area 419 lid to be used in a pinch or will manually throwing the powder put too much pressure on the lid?

Also, I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but with comments about drift due to unstable power from the outlets, has anyone tried to hookup their digital scale to a battery powered generator like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Jackery...or-Outdoors-Home-Explorer-2000-Plus/325867444
Just curious if this provides a more stable/consistent power supply to help minimize drift... I live in an area where power can go out due to storms so have several generators including these "solar generators"
 
Does anyone make an A&D FX-120 Reloading Kit? I thought Area 419 used to have a full kit but can't seem to find that anymore. Going the "cheaper" route, I have several Lee Perfect Powder Measures, can these be connected to the Area 419 lid to be used in a pinch or will manually throwing the powder put too much pressure on the lid?

Also, I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but with comments about drift due to unstable power from the outlets, has anyone tried to hookup their digital scale to a battery powered generator like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Jackery...or-Outdoors-Home-Explorer-2000-Plus/325867444
Just curious if this provides a more stable/consistent power supply to help minimize drift... I live in an area where power can go out due to storms so have several generators including these "solar generators"
I don’t know, but I am going to say I doubt it. Their design and purpose is providing power as a back up. I doubt extremely stable power is a high priority in the design, but I could be wrong.
An fyi: there are voltage stabilizers that can be hooked up inline with any power source. When in doubt grab one of those and hook it up. There is a good variety to choose from.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glassaholic
GFCI will detect a difference in neutral and ground current and DICONNECT power.
A Surge Protector SHUNTS (shorts out) very large surges, typically over a few hundred volts.
A Voltage Stabilizer actively STABILIZES the incoming AC voltage.
A Precision DC supply (for devices that use a digital wall wort) can filter/stabilize incoming DC Voltage.
A FERRITE CORE placed on the incoming line can FILTER RF coming in the line.
Internal DC voltage regulation is usually two stage, starting at a regulated 9,12,15 volts with the internal electronics regulated to a lower voltage like maybe 5 volts.
How stable is the final operating voltage in a precision electronic instrument?

Test Cell Phone interference with the phone CLOSE to the scale and make a cell CALL, and also upload a large picture or video via WiFi.
(phone needs to be transmitting something).

Test lighting interference by using a Battery flashlight (incandescent type) with Florescent lights on and off.

Test Trickler interference by weighing a small test weigh and run trickler with NO POWDER.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Glassaholic
Does anyone make an A&D FX-120 Reloading Kit? I thought Area 419 used to have a full kit but can't seem to find that anymore. Going the "cheaper" route, I have several Lee Perfect Powder Measures, can these be connected to the Area 419 lid to be used in a pinch or will manually throwing the powder put too much pressure on the lid?

Also, I may be barking up the wrong tree here, but with comments about drift due to unstable power from the outlets, has anyone tried to hookup their digital scale to a battery powered generator like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Jackery...or-Outdoors-Home-Explorer-2000-Plus/325867444
Just curious if this provides a more stable/consistent power supply to help minimize drift... I live in an area where power can go out due to storms so have several generators including these "solar generators"
I use a cleaner for power and properly grounded my scale and my Matt. That makes a world of difference. I don't have any issues like that anymore. Also, there's times when I get static issues and so I have a little de-oinizer that I also use which works great.

There's not really a kit other than the known at4/SS and the much anticipated IP system which hasn't been released yet. The IP system will blow everything else out of the way I'm sure. I have a IP+V3 so easy for me to say "wait for the IP system" but if you can't wait get the IP trickler and AT wiring set up and manually dump then let the IP trickler do the rest.
 
I use a cleaner for power and properly grounded my scale and my Matt. That makes a world of difference. I don't have any issues like that anymore. Also, there's times when I get static issues and so I have a little de-oinizer that I also use which works great.

There's not really a kit other than the known at4/SS and the much anticipated IP system which hasn't been released yet. The IP system will blow everything else out of the way I'm sure. I have a IP+V3 so easy for me to say "wait for the IP system" but if you can't wait get the IP trickler and AT wiring set up and manually dump then let the IP trickler do the rest.
Thanks BC, appreciate the info, I'm in no rush so will be watching to see when this drops
 
  • Like
Reactions: BuildingConceptsllc
I still use a FA Intellidropper sometimes, and I *rarely* get double digits SDs. And when I do, it's something other than the scale. I know, sample size of 1...
 
FX-120. I just upgraded myself and wish I did it sooner. Used to use a beam and a cheap digital. My beam was accurate, but switching to the FX-120 (no auto trickler) has sped things up a ton. I use a regular RCBS throw and trickle it manually. Using just the FX-120 is so much faster than bouncing between two lesser scales.

Not cheap but wish I put the beam and cheap digital money toward the FX-120 from the start.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glassaholic