Beam scale problem

[BowElkStalker]

I have an old Redding scale (brown) that has an oil well to dampen the beam. I did not fill the well. I was trickling powder into it for a pistol load (5gn's) and the beam pointer seem to be magnatized in the down positions. I would bump the pointer up and it would fly up showing my pan had too much powder. The beam was zeroed out before starting. Any thoughts?

Thanks

[Winchester 69]

Clean the pivots and bearings with alcohol. Redding can probably recommend an oil for the damping. There are those who favor that scale because it isn't encumbered with magnetic damping.

[BowElkStalker]

Any ideas as to why it seems "magnatized" in the down or empty pan position?

[Winchester 69]

The bearings in my M5 (Ohaus) float in their retainers, and the beam has a lot of latitude forward and backward. It comes to rest on a piece of the scale body that tends to bring the pointer outward. It has the same tendency as yours with pistol (6 gr) measures. It tends to hold before releasing. I had thought that it was magnetic stiction until I looked closer and saw that it was due to binding in the pivots. I can't say that you are experiencing the same thing as these are two different scales, but we do know that yours isn't caused by magnet.

[BowElkStalker]

thanks Win, I will check that out as a possable problem.

[436]

BowElkStalker,
I have one of the older (brown) Redding oil scales, I’ll drag it out and try to duplicate your problem; maybe I can see something that might help you. I know they do have to be on a four way level surface, or they'll stick and act like there magnetized. As scales go, they were, or I should say'..., is one of the best and most accurate beam scales out there. As for oil, I’ve used a light oil like what they use for sewing machines it seems to work just fine.
436

[ROBSTER]

I have the same problem with mine and the well leaks oil. E-mailed redding there sugestions were use water insted of oil (easier to clean up) or use nothing at all,The scale must be level all ways,or there is a burr at the pivot as to being worn out.when asked if this was covered under the lifetime warrentee was told live with it or buy new.
So I live with it it`s way more accurite than a digital scale I bought a few years ago.I just have to rember to tap the beam every once in a while.