Digital Scale Observations

[Mike W1]

Actually also posted this on that "other" site as well but some may find some interest in it here too!

My Informal Test of Frankford Arsenal DS-750 scale.

Used Webster Scale Co. Check Weights and Homemade weights marked
51, 53, 60 grains. Used my Lyman M-5 scale to check the homemade weights
as previous tests had gotten identical readings to another set of factory check
weights I've since passed to my son. The Webster weights only go up to 60 grains
but there are some .1 and .5 grain weights in that set.

Was pleasantly surprised to find not more than .1 grain disagreement with the Webster
Check weights in the entire range up to that 60 maximum. Repeatability was near 100%,
something that differed from my old mid-90's PACT BBK scale when I tested that
years ago as I found a lot of times there'd be a .2 gr. variation with the same object. I did
notice a few times adding a .1 gr weight didn't always immediate register on the LCD right
away though adding a second .1 weight always did.

Another thing that was of interest is the DS-750 didn't seem to keep requiring recalibration
like the old PACT does. And recalibrating it is also a shorter process in the bargain.
Even running tests the next day didn't seem to need recalibrating but that is something I'd
do anyway normally.

When I took those homemade weights and used the Lyman results are below.

MARKED LYMAN DS-750
51 51.1 51.1
53 53 52.9
60 60.3 60.2

All 3 weights usually registered 164.2 and sometimes 164.3 grs. I thought I might be
detecting a pattern of variation depending on whether the weight in the pan was on
center or not. Couldn't be sure though but suspect centering things is likely the best
way to do things.

For a scale that Cabela's had on sale for $20 I was pretty impressed. I never used the PACT
for critical weighing and probably won't this one either. Years back Handloader Digest (1964)
and Gun Digest (1965) had a couple articles that I found useful when it comes to measuring
weights. They're still relevant and I can email copies if someone's so interested. Guess a PM
would be the way to start that process.

 

[JWFilips]

I have used a Frankfort arsenal Digital scale for 5 years: Very easy to use if you are sharp!
You are throwing .1 grain charges then all of a sudden things go wonky. Just dump that charge and restart the unit! The darn thing is super accurate as long as you know when things go south! Just like running an early computer!
I trust these but I know how to interpret the readings!
Using this system they are highly accurate ( & fast)
Jim

 

[Ian]

I got a cheapo similar to the FA scale and it indeed gets "tired" after about 15-20 minutes and must be restarted. I think the battery drains down a little and fritzes out the electronics, even with a fresh battery. Let it sit five minutes and it's good to go again for a while. I have a camera that takes two AA batteries and it's the same way unless I use the Energizer Max high-current batteries. It auto-shuts down after about two minutes even with fresh Duracells or other "regular" alkaline batteries. The voltage drops after a bit and the unit thinks the batteries are dying when really they just can't keep up the draw.

 

[KHornet]

Have a Hornady that is only good to .2, but my Frankfort based on JW's recommendation is good to .1. And
as Jim says it does go a bit wonky once in awhile, and a restart is necessary. but it works, and that's all that
counts!

Paul

 

[Chris]

I've got a Dillon. Sure beats a balance beam for speed. The thing needs frequently to be reset and that is annoying, just have to babysit it all the time. Still it sure beats weighing bullets on a balance beam.

 

[Rick]

I've got two digitals. The RCBS as part of the ChargeMaster and a Dillon. I frequently pour a charge from one to the other and they almost always match perfectly, occasionally differ by a tenth. The Dillon does for some reason need the zero button pressed, I've just gotten accustomed to hit the button after every 7 or 8 weighs, keeps it honest and in sync with the RCBS. Never used batteries with either scale, they both have a transformer that plugs into the wall.
.

 

[Mike W1]

I have used a Frankfort arsenal Digital scale for 5 years: Very easy to use if you are sharp!
You are throwing .1 grain charges then all of a sudden things go wonky. Just dump that charge and restart the unit! The darn thing is super accurate as long as you know when things go south! Just like running an early computer!
I trust these but I know how to interpret the readings!
Using this system they are highly accurate ( & fast)
Jim

I plan on doing some more checking over a longer period of time to ensure that it's staying in calibration including if it shuts itself off. But wondering how you are determining when "things go wonky" and just what you mean by "how to interpret the readings". Maybe I'm just a little fussy tonight but I don't understand what you said there.

 

[freebullet]

Air currents and battery voltage variations =wonky on them.

 

[KHornet]

Yep, sure agree on air currents. Need to change battery
fairly frequently.

 

[JWFilips]

Mike W1:
Say you are loading 6.5 gr Bullseye load and all is going well then all of a sudden you can't drop that ( no matter how you try) Just restart the FA Digital scale and most likely it will go right back to 6.5 gr! Also make sure it lays on the table flat ( no grains or rogue powder underneath) In the winter I heat my room with a portable heater Air currents can play havoc with .1 grain charges. Lets suffice to say that you will not blow yourself up nor screw up a bench rest load by using one of these economy scales ( they never get that far off wonky!) Seriously In the many years I have mine it has never varied more then + or -.3 gr on it's most wonky day!!! and resetting it brings it right back!
Hope this helps
Jim

 

[Mike W1]

Mike W1:
Say you are loading 6.5 gr Bullseye load and all is going well then all of a sudden you can't drop that ( no matter how you try) Just restart the FA Digital scale and most likely it will go right back to 6.5 gr! Also make sure it lays on the table flat ( no grains or rogue powder underneath) In the winter I heat my room with a portable heater Air currents can play havoc with .1 grain charges. Lets suffice to say that you will not blow yourself up nor screw up a bench rest load by using one of these economy scales ( they never get that far off wonky!) Seriously In the many years I have mine it has never varied more then + or -.3 gr on it's most wonky day!!! and resetting it brings it right back!
Hope this helps
Jim

Thanks, I see what you meant now. My scales all sit on little stands that are weighted with lead and adjustable for level. Haven't had any problems with air currents as I'm back in a corner of the room. Like to build little helper items and even my powder trickler has a heavy base that gets things up to just the right height for the scale.

 

[freebullet]

Your breath is enough to change the scale readings...try it.

I love the magnifying glass on your setup, I do believe I'll be copying that feature on our beam scales.

 

[oscarflytyer]

have a low end Franklin. if anyone is interested in playing with one, I will happily part with it cheap. I am not a fan. DO love my RCBS 5-0-5!

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

I agree with Oscar on the franklin. But I only use it on bullet weight sorting but never powder. There are some weights it will not read.

 

[Chris]

I recently got a Dillon scale and we are still in trial mode. It is accurate enough but I have to reset it frequently. At this point I agree with kevin above, don't trust it on powder but really handy for weighing bullets. Hard to beat my RCBS 10-10 scale.

 

[Cherokee]

Have an RCBS 5-0-5 that I rely on. For several years I used a PACT but it went crazy. Sent it back for repair, got it back and still was not reliable. Now I use the RCBS when setting my powder measures. I have a FA little scale I only use for sorting bullets and rough setting the measure but the RCBS is the rule. Just don't trust the electronics that much.

 

[Stu Ritter]

I also have a PACT that's more than a few years old. Crazy little scale with a mind of its own. My check scale is a Redding 2 and several sets of check weights. The magnetic damping is so much better than the old Redding 1 oil damping. My reloading area has no drafts so that's out. I just think it is a wonky scale. I haven't sent it back yet as my understanding is, it doesn't matter, the PACTS just do it.

Stu