Scales! - The Firearms Forum

Josh Smith · 11-10-2011, 03:56 PM

Hi Folks,

My new (to me) scales came today! It's been a looong wait.

Background is a Lyman/Ohaus D-5, and in the foreground is a Redding with oil dampening.

The Lyman at zero...

... and the Redding with a calibration weight.

They both are spot on.

I really like the Redding. Been playing with oil vs speed to zero and precision. I think I've found a mixture of vegetable oil and a smidge of beeswax that works very well. The original stuff I made up was too thick by a bit, but I think I can do better than the vegetable oil. I happened to talk to Dad today and he said that in engineering they had always used 10 weight motor oil or similar, but I want to stay away from petroleum products around gunpowder.

Even with pure vegetable oil, the Redding settles down faster than any magnetically dampened scale I've seen.

Both beat the Lee I have all to heck!

I do believe one or both of these will be replacing my Lyman electronic scale. That thing's just a bit too temperamental for my tastes.

I'm pretty tired today, but after working tomorrow making sights and such, I think I might give them both a spin!

As always, comments are welcome!

Thanks,

Josh

Bindernut · 11-10-2011, 04:54 PM

Use 10w motor oil in that Redding. If you've got the docs for it, that's what they recommend.
Veggie oil (anything natural) will go rancid and it'll stink up your reloading space after a while. It'll also gum up after a while too as it gets stale.

That Redding is a great scale other than the mess of the oil pot. I've got the same scale and while I normally use a PACT digital the Redding gets pulled out every so often just for fun. I use 10W-30 though since I don't keep straight 10w around for anything. And yes they do damp out much faster than a magnetic scale.

There's nothing wrong with that Lyman/Ohaus though either. I've got a Lyman that's identical to that one except it's all orange and doesn't have the Ohaus name on it anymore. If it ever needs service, contact Lyman and they'll have you send direct to Ohaus for service. RCBS has the same service arrangement with their Ohaus-made scales.
It's tons better than the current Lyman scale with the plastic base.
Ohaus is a great company that stands behind their products, 90% of our scales (digital food-service and lab-grade) at work are Ohaus.

LDBennett · 11-10-2011, 05:01 PM

Josh Smith:

I'm sorry Josh but I can not share your enthusiasm for any balance beam scale. I have owned several and waiting for them to settle down and stop swinging, whether they be oil damped or magnetic damped, is just too excessive for me. I have an electronic digital scale that is good to a tenth of a grain, more than accurate enough for my needs. But there are digital scales and digital scales. They are not all equal. And you must calibrate them occasionally. I know the quirks of mine and compensate for them. It is still better and faster for me then a constantly swinging balance scale. The last one was an RCBS 304 top of their line balance scale that has sat totally unused for more than 15 years.

But we all get to choose.

LDBennett

Josh Smith · 11-10-2011, 11:54 PM

Thanks folks.

Do Lyman 1000 electronic scales (I think it's a 1000, could be the direct predecessor as it doesn't go to 1000 grains, which I believe that denotes) bring anything on the used scale market?

It's a very good scale but not really my thing anymore.

Thanks!

Josh

RandyP · 11-11-2011, 08:37 AM

very nice looking scales. Yes, they appear to be far more substantial and perhaps easier to use than the little plastic Lee balance that came with my Anniv. kit.

I confess my tired old eyes and fingers led me to purchase an inexpensive digital -MTM DS-1250 that is plenty accurate for my needs.

JLA · 11-11-2011, 11:15 AM

I want that redding!

gun-nut · 11-11-2011, 11:41 AM

I have one of them Reddings I got mine in a horse trade. Now i know how to use it, If i ever do i like it sitting on the shelf better

JLA · 11-11-2011, 11:46 AM

My fav scale is an RCBS 502 beam EXACTLY like the lyman D5 above.. Except green

woolleyworm · 11-11-2011, 01:23 PM

I've got a 505 and a elect RCBS 750. Love'em both.

What problems are you having with your Lyman electronic?

Josh Smith · 11-11-2011, 07:00 PM

Hello,

No problems at all with the Lyman electronic. In fact, I think it's one of the better electronic scales I've used. No drift I can tell when set up properly (not much to that, either!)

I just decided that I wanted to go back to what I started with. I began with a Lee beam scale and, while I liked it, there were a bunch of things about it I didn't like, so I bought the Lee electronic.

Since purchasing these higher-dollar beam scales, I'm finding they didn't suffer the same problems as did the Lee, and I just prefer the mechanical to the electronic. I guess I was a computer geek for too many years. My friend and I built hotrods when we were teens, too, and neither of us can even stand to work on our own cars any longer, though I still do.

The Lyman is here now:

http://www.smith-sights.com/

I thought about keeping it, but can't figure out what I'd use it for. Both these beam scales settle down fast enough to check bullet weights so I just really don't need the Lyman electronic for anything.

Figure someone else can use it. I never really did except to check drop weights, so it's hardly been used. Still, I priced it by half. Figure it would be good to get someone into handloading with as I don't want them to suffer with a Lee beam like I did!

First one to buy it, gets it! Then I take down the listing.

But this wasn't supposed to be a commercial!

Was up early. Probably should try to go to sleep early. G'night ya'll!

Regards,

Josh

gun-nut · 12-05-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

I want that redding!

If you still want a Redding scale my mother just got one from my grandfathers estate. I traded the one i had for my grandfathers.

Is $15.00 for it + shipping to much to ask? let me know and i will work things out with my mom.

Josh Smith · 12-05-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gun-nut

If you still want a Redding scale my mother just got one from my grandfathers estate. I traded the one i had for my grandfathers.

Is $15.00 for it + shipping to much to ask? let me know and i will work things out with my mom.

Hello,

Given that mine was $27 plus shipping, I'd say that's more than fair for an oil damped one.

If he doesn't want it I'll take it!

Regards,

Josh

jboo37 · 12-13-2011, 08:49 PM

Hey Josh and gun nut, I was just looking on all the sights (midway ect.) for a new scale. I was trying to decide between digital or a good beam scale. I have an old Lee scale, but I would like something better. Josh I don't know what you want for the lyman but I'm interested if you still have it. Gun-nut if the redding kooks like the ones above, I'm also interested in it. I would love to have both to cross check. If you still have them e mail me jboo37@yahoo.com Thanks, John.

JLA · 12-13-2011, 08:59 PM

yall cant have my redding

gun-nut · 12-14-2011, 07:37 AM

Its gone! Sorry. But the digital scale i have is a cabellas brand an it serves me well but i still use my lee. But it is a bit of a pain. i would look at gun shows for the redding. If i find them at the gun shows around here (north west ohio) i will pick them up and be more then glad to sell them to ya for what i pay for them.

11-10-2011, 03:56 PM	#1
Josh Smith V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wabash IN Contributor Posts: 66	Scales! Hi Folks, My new (to me) scales came today! It's been a looong wait. Background is a Lyman/Ohaus D-5, and in the foreground is a Redding with oil dampening. The Lyman at zero... ... and the Redding with a calibration weight. They both are spot on. I really like the Redding. Been playing with oil vs speed to zero and precision. I think I've found a mixture of vegetable oil and a smidge of beeswax that works very well. The original stuff I made up was too thick by a bit, but I think I can do better than the vegetable oil. I happened to talk to Dad today and he said that in engineering they had always used 10 weight motor oil or similar, but I want to stay away from petroleum products around gunpowder. Even with pure vegetable oil, the Redding settles down faster than any magnetically dampened scale I've seen. Both beat the Lee I have all to heck! I do believe one or both of these will be replacing my Lyman electronic scale. That thing's just a bit too temperamental for my tastes. I'm pretty tired today, but after working tomorrow making sights and such, I think I might give them both a spin! As always, comments are welcome! Thanks, Josh __________________ - Smith-Sights Adjustable Sights for the Mosin-Nagant - -->

11-10-2011, 04:54 PM	#2
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,453	Re: Scales! Use 10w motor oil in that Redding. If you've got the docs for it, that's what they recommend. Veggie oil (anything natural) will go rancid and it'll stink up your reloading space after a while. It'll also gum up after a while too as it gets stale. That Redding is a great scale other than the mess of the oil pot. I've got the same scale and while I normally use a PACT digital the Redding gets pulled out every so often just for fun. I use 10W-30 though since I don't keep straight 10w around for anything. And yes they do damp out much faster than a magnetic scale. There's nothing wrong with that Lyman/Ohaus though either. I've got a Lyman that's identical to that one except it's all orange and doesn't have the Ohaus name on it anymore. If it ever needs service, contact Lyman and they'll have you send direct to Ohaus for service. RCBS has the same service arrangement with their Ohaus-made scales. It's tons better than the current Lyman scale with the plastic base. Ohaus is a great company that stands behind their products, 90% of our scales (digital food-service and lab-grade) at work are Ohaus. Last edited by Bindernut; 11-10-2011 at 04:57 PM..

11-10-2011, 05:01 PM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,719	Re: Scales! Josh Smith: I'm sorry Josh but I can not share your enthusiasm for any balance beam scale. I have owned several and waiting for them to settle down and stop swinging, whether they be oil damped or magnetic damped, is just too excessive for me. I have an electronic digital scale that is good to a tenth of a grain, more than accurate enough for my needs. But there are digital scales and digital scales. They are not all equal. And you must calibrate them occasionally. I know the quirks of mine and compensate for them. It is still better and faster for me then a constantly swinging balance scale. The last one was an RCBS 304 top of their line balance scale that has sat totally unused for more than 15 years. But we all get to choose. LDBennett

11-10-2011, 11:54 PM	#4
Josh Smith V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wabash IN Contributor Posts: 66	Re: Scales! Thanks folks. Do Lyman 1000 electronic scales (I think it's a 1000, could be the direct predecessor as it doesn't go to 1000 grains, which I believe that denotes) bring anything on the used scale market? It's a very good scale but not really my thing anymore. Thanks! Josh __________________ - Smith-Sights Adjustable Sights for the Mosin-Nagant -

11-11-2011, 08:37 AM	#5
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Scales! very nice looking scales. Yes, they appear to be far more substantial and perhaps easier to use than the little plastic Lee balance that came with my Anniv. kit. I confess my tired old eyes and fingers led me to purchase an inexpensive digital -MTM DS-1250 that is plenty accurate for my needs. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP

11-11-2011, 11:15 AM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: Scales! I want that redding! __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-11-2011, 11:41 AM	#7
gun-nut Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ohio Contributor Posts: 931	Re: Scales! I have one of them Reddings I got mine in a horse trade. Now i know how to use it, If i ever do i like it sitting on the shelf better __________________ Don't retreat just reload.

11-11-2011, 11:46 AM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: Scales! My fav scale is an RCBS 502 beam EXACTLY like the lyman D5 above.. Except green __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-11-2011, 01:23 PM	#9
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: Scales! I've got a 505 and a elect RCBS 750. Love'em both. What problems are you having with your Lyman electronic? __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

11-11-2011, 07:00 PM	#10
Josh Smith V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wabash IN Contributor Posts: 66	Re: Scales! Hello, No problems at all with the Lyman electronic. In fact, I think it's one of the better electronic scales I've used. No drift I can tell when set up properly (not much to that, either!) I just decided that I wanted to go back to what I started with. I began with a Lee beam scale and, while I liked it, there were a bunch of things about it I didn't like, so I bought the Lee electronic. Since purchasing these higher-dollar beam scales, I'm finding they didn't suffer the same problems as did the Lee, and I just prefer the mechanical to the electronic. I guess I was a computer geek for too many years. My friend and I built hotrods when we were teens, too, and neither of us can even stand to work on our own cars any longer, though I still do. The Lyman is here now: http://www.smith-sights.com/ I thought about keeping it, but can't figure out what I'd use it for. Both these beam scales settle down fast enough to check bullet weights so I just really don't need the Lyman electronic for anything. Figure someone else can use it. I never really did except to check drop weights, so it's hardly been used. Still, I priced it by half. Figure it would be good to get someone into handloading with as I don't want them to suffer with a Lee beam like I did! First one to buy it, gets it! Then I take down the listing. But this wasn't supposed to be a commercial! Was up early. Probably should try to go to sleep early. G'night ya'll! Regards, Josh __________________ - Smith-Sights Adjustable Sights for the Mosin-Nagant -

12-13-2011, 08:49 PM	#13
jboo37 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 32	Re: Scales! Hey Josh and gun nut, I was just looking on all the sights (midway ect.) for a new scale. I was trying to decide between digital or a good beam scale. I have an old Lee scale, but I would like something better. Josh I don't know what you want for the lyman but I'm interested if you still have it. Gun-nut if the redding kooks like the ones above, I'm also interested in it. I would love to have both to cross check. If you still have them e mail me jboo37@yahoo.com Thanks, John.

12-13-2011, 08:59 PM	#14
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: Scales! yall cant have my redding __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

12-14-2011, 07:37 AM	#15
gun-nut Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ohio Contributor Posts: 931	Re: Scales! Its gone! Sorry. But the digital scale i have is a cabellas brand an it serves me well but i still use my lee. But it is a bit of a pain. i would look at gun shows for the redding. If i find them at the gun shows around here (north west ohio) i will pick them up and be more then glad to sell them to ya for what i pay for them. __________________ Don't retreat just reload.