Author Topic: Which scale to buy (Read 1166 times)

Ten Ring · « **on:** February 14, 2009, 10:34:35 AM »

I need a new reloading scale and I think I want to go the electronic route. Which would you buy the Lyman or RCBS.
Thanks Jim

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2009, 10:51:13 AM »

I have the lyman dps 3 and am very happy with it,no problems at all.

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2009, 10:56:18 AM »

I have the DPS by Lyman also but only because I got a super deal on it supposedly used in excellent condition. If it had been used I sure couldn't tell it tho. It didn't come with a manual and it took some doing to get one.

One thing to remember is Lyman has absolutely the WORST customer service in the industry even behind Taurus perhaps. RCBS has close to the best.

I have an old RCBS made by PACT as I suspect most all the digital scales are if truth be known. WHEN not if but when you need service RCBS will be there to help. Lyman won't be.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:42:49 AM »

I'm in the same boat here , its time to bring my loading in to the 21 cen. while my old 505 beam scale has served me well for over 25 years its time to upgrade .

Have been looking at the scale / dispenser combo's and trying to decide , the down side to the Pact - High Speed is that according to what I have read the scale and dispenser must be used as a unit because of the cordless way it is set up .

I do like the feathers of the Lyman 1200 DPS3 , but as GB said their CS can be BS at times , that leaves the RCBS 1500 , while their CS is very good I'm not sure it is good enough to support the extra $$s .

stimpy

Lead pot · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:53:06 AM »

The problem with electronic scales is there very sensitive to air movement and warm up.
Dont throw away the old beam scale.

Lp

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:54:08 AM »

I can't say anything about lymans customer service,but most reviews are good for the BPS 3,just make sure it is on a solid surface and leave it turned on all the time(very little electric used).

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2009, 12:01:45 PM »

I would NOT recommend leaving it on all the time. That was my first mistake with my RCBS as the display burned out and I was advised that leaving them on full time is not recommended and is guaranteed to burn them out. Being RCBS they fixed it free but Lyman won't.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2009, 12:13:27 PM »

I've had my Lyman DPS II, which I upgraded to version III, for about three years, it's been on the last 2yrs at the recommendation of Lyman to eliminate the warm up time, works just fine. If I were buying one now, I'd probably go with the RCBS, there isn't as much difference in the cost now, I got mine for under $200 shipped, the RCBS was $60-$80 more then. Both are made in China if that makes any difference to anyone, the Pact is the only one made in the US.

Tim

Ten Ring · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2009, 12:24:00 PM »

Thanks for the tip on Lyman service. I guess I have to ketch the RCBS on sale somewhere.
Jim

skarke · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2009, 12:41:55 PM »

http://www.americanweigh.com/index.php?cPath=65

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/precision-scales.aspx

Both of these links will find you excellent, and I really mean great, scales at excellent prices. They might not say Lyman, RCBS, or the like, but these are the same platforms upon which the Lyman, RCBS brands build theirs.

Hope these help.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2009, 02:46:02 PM »

You guys are killing me!

I've been perfectly happy with my balance beam for a loooong time. Now y'all got me thinking I can't reload anymore without one a them electronic gizmos!

AND, I don't trust them!

Lead pot · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:04:42 PM »

I got my Lyman 1200 DPS 3 now since last fall and I never turn it off. The only time it's been off is when I loose line power.
The only thing I don't like about these electronic scales is when the air moves like from the furnace or a fan on the far side of the room it will give you bad readings unless you cover the pan.

Lp

victorcharlie · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:13:13 PM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on February 14, 2009, 02:46:02 PM

You guys are killing me! I've been perfectly happy with my balance beam for a loooong time. Now y'all got me thinking I can't reload anymore without one a them electronic gizmos! AND, I don't trust them!

I bought an RCBS a year or so ago. What I like about a digital is I can weigh bullets etc without any manual manipulation, just set it on and it does it's thing. IMO it's much more accurate than the 10/10 I've used for many years.

sr sawyer · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2009, 04:02:33 PM »

Pact makes excellent products and I assume they are still made in the USA. I bought a combination electronic powder measure dispenser and scale from Pact several years ago and personally think it is the best on the market. Although pricey they are worth it if you want accurate loads by electronics. Keep your manual scales, they will still work when ready-kilowatt is absent, and I check my electronic scales for accuracy with the balance beam just because I am skeptical of electronics.

Lead pot · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2009, 07:10:39 PM »

Here is the thing with Electronic Scales.
Now I'm not trying to talk any body out of them, I use one.
The Digital scale is only as good as the power supply is in the scale, Here is why.
If you live in one of the older houses or your line voltage fluctuates Quite a bit when your Wife turns on the toaster, hair dryer, or the oven, water heater, anything that takes high amperage while starting up that scale will be off.
Maybe not enough to put a hurt on anything like weighing bullets.
I dont think I would use one for critical weight with one that sells for a low budget price.

Lp

Doug B. · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2009, 01:07:22 AM »

I just purchased a "new" scale. A RCBS 5-0-5. For me, it's hard to improve on the tried and true. Although.... I may purchase a electronic scale in the future, I think.

mdi · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2009, 07:41:45 AM »

I have read (on other forums) that electronic scales need to be "zeroed" quite often. The "automatic off" settings are too short and when you need to weigh another load of powder the scale must be turned on and re calibrated. Also, electronic scales aren't sensitive enough for "trickling up" charges. Now, this is what I've read and if I'm wrong tell me about it. These are the reasons I haven't bought an electronic scale (besides my Lyman is accurate and fast enough).

cwlongshot · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2009, 09:41:27 AM »

I too still use a balance beam scale. I did buy a Dillon electronic scale some years back, but it broke. They replaced it and it went bad again... I went back to my Lyman beam scale.. NO PROBLE'S.... EVER!!!

I haven't swore off the electronics, it IS the way of the future. But for me that balance beam works perfectly.

CW

jhalcott · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2009, 09:57:22 AM »

Flourescent lights CAN effect electronic scales, same problem as the hair dryer thing. Another tidbit for you , the GRAIN is about 3 times smaller than a .01 GRAM. Be carefull when using a gram scale for reloading handguns.
http://www.unitconversion.org/weight/grams-to-grains-conversion.html

Ahab · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2009, 10:25:27 AM »

Quote from: sr sawyer on February 14, 2009, 04:02:33 PM

Pact makes excellent products and I assume they are still made in the USA. I bought a combination electronic powder measure dispenser and scale from Pact several years ago and personally think it is the best on the market. Although pricey they are worth it if you want accurate loads by electronics. Keep your manual scales, they will still work when ready-kilowatt is absent, and I check my electronic scales for accuracy with the balance beam just because I am skeptical of electronics.

Yes, they are still made in U.S. They have a new model which is faster than the old. I believe you can send your old one in for an upgrade. They are priced somewhat lower than the RCBS. I like mine a lot.

goodconcretecolor · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2009, 11:50:11 AM »

I have been calibrating scales or supervising someone calibrating scales for more than 10 years. Never ever reload with out a good balance beam type scale. They are far more reliable than 9 out of ten electronic scales. I have been using the same Lyman beam type scale for more than 20 years. I have read too many bad things about electronic scales to gamble the cash on them. Even Lyman and RCBS digitals have enough bad comments to make me leary. Both of those companies make wonderful beam scales. I like Lee equipment but I hate their scale. The vernier scale is small and difficult to read even with reading glasses. Just my 2 cents worth.

Troyboy · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2009, 01:13:05 PM »

RCBS Chargemaster combo is the neatest thing since sliced bread. Spent time trying to prove it wrong and have not been able to yet. RCBS customer service is second to none. It's worth a little extra money.

sr sawyer · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2009, 01:45:22 PM »

When I first got my Pact set up I was having problems with my scales showing errors and having to be re-zeroed frequently. C.S. at Pact said it could be fluorescent lighting on the same circuit. It turned out they were right, the lights and the scales were on the same circuit. Changed that and all is fine. Maybe we should dedicate a circuit to our scales like we do to our computers.

HuntMeister · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2009, 03:13:32 PM »

Quote from: sr sawyer on February 16, 2009, 01:45:22 PM

When I first got my Pact set up I was having problems with my scales showing errors and having to be re-zeroed frequently. C.S. at Pact said it could be fluorescent lighting on the same circuit. It turned out they were right, the lights and the scales were on the same circuit. Changed that and all is fine. Maybe we should dedicate a circuit to our scales like we do to our computers.

A cheap UPS like one you would buy for your computer would probably be less expense than a dedicated circuit, it would isolate your electronic scale from any distubances on that circuit plus prevent damage from surges or a lost neutral.