advanced scale question

[wildcat westerner]

Hello,
I could use some experienced insight, not well meant conjecture, in this problem. I have a very expensive electronic scale capable of finite measurement,(.000 gram) but it "drifts" in weight. Recently I weighed 700 6 mm 105 grain bullets and when complete I found the original bullet I weighed now weighed 1.1 grain difference when complete. The manufacturer has not replied to a message I have sent them. I know that the electricity you get from a standard wall socket can affect the results from finite scales, so have added an inverter between the scale and wall socket.

So, I am wondering about the old Ainsworth scales, which are a mechanical beam scale, not subject to electronic interference. Does any advanced handloader have any experience with these scales and do they weigh to a finite degree?

Thank you for your attention in this matter.
Gene

 

[Schnyd112]

You could be getting static interference. Spray around your scale, not on the scale, with water to help discharge any static.

 

[FearNoWind]

Conjecture is a product of incomplete information. Assuming the information you provided is complete, here is some experienced insight.
I can't imagine what help an "inverter" is going to offer, but there are line filters (line conditioner) that can hep clean up the noise that may be present on your commercial power grid.
Other than that, here's a few things to check:
Warm up the scale for at least two hours before using it.
Use the calibration weight to validate the zero frequently.
Remove anything that might generate electromagnetic interference from the surrounding environment:
Cell phones
Computers
Charging stations
(stuff like that - including anything that may be plugged in but not turned on [the standby power system of idling electronic equipment can be a problem source]
fFuorescent lighting interference is another source of frustration with electronic scales that drift.
Often overlooked -
lightbulbYour movement can generate static electricity - especially depending on the type of clothing (fabrics with wool and nylon content for example) just by normal body movement. A grounding strap attached to your wrist might be worth a try.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Did you have it plugged in for a while before using it? I like to plug mine in overnight but an hour might be enough.

FearNoWind has a lot of good suggestions.

 

[Trnelson]

I just leave my scale on all the time. It uses so few watts I don't see a difference in my bill. Silly thought here but I have noticed this. Every time my central air / heat starts to blow my scale will wander. I wait a couple of minutes after it shuts down and re-zero my scale and back to loading again.

 

[BallisticsGuy]

All of these are normal for strain gauge based scales. Dillon scales and all decent lab grade scales come with a hood of sorts to keep air currents from interfering with the measurement. Keep electronics away, re-zero frequently. You're not going to really get away from those issues in a price zone that any sane individual will want to go to.

There's no short cutting using a scale. You have to take the time to work with your tools and deal with how to operate them. Electronic scales are a PITA in their own little ways. I got so sick of the hassles that I try deliberately to work up loads with super short cut extruded powders or ball powders that all meter really well so I can do volumetric powder dispensing and get +/-.1gn charge weight consistency.

 

[Sully2]

I just leave my scale on all the time. It uses so few watts I don't see a difference in my bill. Silly thought here but I have noticed this. Every time my central air / heat starts to blow my scale will wander. I wait a couple of minutes after it shuts down and re-zero my scale and back to loading again.

Assuming you have tried all the hints you could find.....I have one question. Do you realized just how small "1.1 grain" actually is?

Set your electronic scale with the weights provided you....dump 6 or so charges to make sure is settled down...back check with a weight and if all is ok...RUN WITH IT. Its not going to matter jack squat.

 

[DUSTY NOGGIN]

most of the fluctuation i have experienced is due to temperature swings , i work in the garage where there are no vents, which keeps temp fairly stable. every time someone opens any door and the air changes between the rooms , i have to wait for the scale to settle down again , it usually doesn't need to be calibrated again

the biggest thing i think to verify is to know what your pan weighs and make sure it shows negative (pan weight) every time you pull the pan to dump in the case, if the weight is not the same every time you pull your pan off , then the charge doesnt go into the case until it does , while constantly checking the 50gram weight reads 771.6

if your 50 gram (771.6grain) high calibration is right , and your zero is right and your negative "pan off" weight is right , then your charge powder in weigh has no choice but to be right too ,

i would disagree that 1.1 isnt going to affect your shot, i get all of my charges to within .1 just because.... even on the magnum charges

some say its not necessary to worry about magnum charges to less than 1/2 a grain , but i do it anyway because if i see a difference that i cant explain, its one less suspect

 

[BallisticsGuy]

The idea that 1.1 grains isn't going to affect you isn't just a disagreement asking to be had it's pretty insane IMHO. I think though that the poster of that might have meant .1gn instead of 1.1gn. If not, well I'm going to double down on the insane comment. 1.1 grains overcharge is easily enough to get bad things to happen especially if you're near or at max already.

 

[frostop]

I have a pact electronic scale with auto feed(probably not as expensive as yours), I have had instances when having a fan in the room or the music on the radio being to loud causing fluctuations in the accuracy of the scale. I also try and re-calibrate as often as possible-I am probably going to re-calibrate every time now that I have read this post.