This probably has been discussed before but I couldn't find any threads on it.
Does anyone have any input on electronic scales? My eyes aren't what they used to be and I am considering one, but there are so many and the prices vary so much.
HELP!!!

Thanks,

Kudu40

I've got a Dillon and it works great. Like most consumer electronics, there are different colors on the outside but a lot of the same on the inside. Keep it away from drafts, vibrations, and florescent lights and they are handy. Check weights are good thing (it should come with some).

Santa brought a Pact Digital Precision Powder Scale in 1995. It's a good unit with 1500 grain capacity. The one they show in their advertising is the only one that ever had a metal powder pan on it at the factory. The first ones shipped with without a pan, as our host Marshall Stanton learned. The plastic pan I got has a severe case of static cling. If you get one plan on buying a metal pan soonest.

http://pact.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=31

Bye
Jack

digital scales are fine for what they were built for. I use mine for sorting cases and bullets. as long as .1 grain accuracy will do for your purpose then any of them will work just fine for you.

I'll stick to the beam scale for powder mesurements. That is just my preference, your choice may be different. Just be sure you understand the limitations of both systems and make a concious decision on what to use when.

For Mike G. What effect do flourescent lights have on the scale? They are all I have for lighting in my reloading room?
Thanks,

Kudu40

It's in one of Nick's posts, somewhere, I think. Seems that you get feedback from the electronics on them? I can't remember for sure but someone will know.....

For Mike G. What effect do flourescent lights have on the scale? They are all I have for lighting in my reloading room?
Thanks,

Kudu40

My PACT seems to have trouble with calibration and keeping a zero when the fluorescent light is on above it. Don't know the reason , just the effect. Also it is sensitive to any air currents( as in AC running). It needs some time to warm up before calibration. It helps to keep it in a heated and cooled area to keep temp more constant. I have mine in an outside workshop and I have begun to keep it heated in winter and AC in summer ( costs more that way) in order to be able to work with the electronic scale right away or else have to go turn everything on and wait 1-2 hours to get temp right, then turn off AC so air current does not effect it. It works OK but has not taken the place of my uniflow powder dispenser. I use it for small volume but when I want to load a few hundred I use the uniflow. I use it and balance beam scale to check each other and the uniflow. As MikeG says the plastic dish is very prone to static. Either get a metal one or use an antistatic laundry sheet frequently.
Hope you enjoy yours.

I just picked up an RCBS chargemaster dispenser. I have only thrown about 80 loads of Varget for 30-06. So far it is nice, .1gr is accurate enough for me and the speed of not only the dispenser, but the readout on the scale makes it easy for me to quickly see the charge. With my Lee beam scale I would usually get impatient trying to line up the beam for a perfect charge. Plus the RCBS scale provides a higher possible reading compared to the 110.9 grains or so for the Lee.

My PACT doesn't seem to be affected by the fluorescent lights, but it does take some warm up time.. and drafts aren't really good for it. I make sure the ceiling fan is off when weighing charges. Beyond that it's great!

I thought it was the electrical feedback. I am going to hook mine up to an old computer UPS for use the in the garage and see if that helps.

I think Jack mentioned having issues with plastic pans. My Dillon came with a metal pan and I've never used a plastic pan for a scale, FYI.

I have owned a RCBS digital scale since 1998 and it has always worked great for me.It comes with 2 test weights.

Mike,

Look through the surplus catalogs and see if you can find an old Sola voltage regulating transformer? They use big oil-filled caps to form a resonant circuit that helps keep the sine wave true. I usually use one together with a multi-element Corcom EMI filter. I also have a 3.5 Amp military surplus double-box shielded transformer about the size of a breadbox. Lots of shielding. That gets tied in for anything inside the Faraday cage (have to have something to keep the UFO's from reading my thoughts). ;)

I have a Lyman that I don't use, I caught a 2 grain error using 4895 it to reload for my Garand after visually inspecting the charged cases. At some point during the session the calibration must have changed. Checked them all with a beam scale and about 1/3 of them were heavy.
I do not think that it is much faster than using Lee dippers to get close to the desired weight and then trickling powder in the pan on a beam scale.

A BIG ditto to Lynn.

Mine the fan has to be off or it jump's up and down. it came with a plastic pan and the static drive me nut's more than I really am IMO :rolleyes: