Question on RCBS 5-0-5 Scale

[calidefector]

I reviewed the manual, checked the FAQ online at RCBS, and did a search here regarding an issue I'm having with an RCBS 5-0-5 scale.

Anyway, it will not zero-balance. The pan doesn't seem to have enough weight to bring up the left side of the beam regardless of how the wheel is adjusted.

Is the correct remedy to this to add the an appropriate amount of shot to the pan to get it to zero again? If so, are there any other considerations to this as that just seems too easy.

I don't know if this makes any difference, but it is a rather old model in pale green.

Thanks!

[Fjold]

First, do you have the brass colored pan on the aluminum hanging base that has the shot in it?

Check that the pivot is clean and that all the slides (1/10th, 1 and 10 grain) are clean and in their proper "zero slot". It should not have changed from when it was zeroed before to require adding shot to the base.

[calidefector]

First, do you have the brass colored pan on the aluminum hanging base that has the shot in it?

Check that the pivot is clean and that all the slides (1/10th, 1 and 10 grain) are clean and in their proper "zero slot". It should not have changed from when it was zeroed before to require adding shot to the base.

Everything is clean, attached, and in the right slot. This is a "new to me" scale that came with a bunch of reloading stuff I bought last week so. I've been using the Lee Safety Scale with great results, but it only goes to 100 grains and I wanted to weigh some bullets and broke this puppy out.

[Fjold]

Everything is clean, attached, and in the right slot. This is a "new to me" scale that came with a bunch of reloading stuff I bought last week so. I've been using the Lee Safety Scale with great results, but it only goes to 100 grains and I wanted to weigh some bullets and broke this puppy out.

OK but my first question is still valid.

Does the scale have a silver covered pan with the hook to hang it on the balance beam and a second brass colored pan that just sits inside the silver one?

[calidefector]

OK but my first question is still valid.

Does the scale have a silver covered pan with the hook to hang it on the balance beam and a second brass colored pan that just sits inside the silver one?

Sorry... didn't get what you were after. Thought you were asking if I even had the pan assembly attached while zeroing (sometimes it helps to verify the obvious when working with the unseen )

It has a silver pan constructed out of some alloy that is holding shot in it. The hook loops around that pan, then there is the shallow pan constructed of the same alloy that is affixed to the lower pan via phillips screw. All silver, no color variations between the upper and lower pans.

The entire "contraption" with shot inside weighs 25.9 grams, 10.4 grams of which is crusty old birdshot.

[Thefeeder]

I reviewed the manual, checked the FAQ online at RCBS, and did a search here regarding an issue I'm having with an RCBS 5-0-5 scale.

Anyway, it will not zero-balance. The pan doesn't seem to have enough weight to bring up the left side of the beam regardless of how the wheel is adjusted.

Is the correct remedy to this to add the an appropriate amount of shot to the pan to get it to zero again? If so, are there any other considerations to this as that just seems too easy.

I don't know if this makes any difference, but it is a rather old model in pale green.

Thanks!

Place the scale on a level surface and check again.
Is the read out portion rubbing on the side of the scale?

[Beelzy]

Once you check to ake sure nothing is amiss, yes you can add weight to the bottom to correct.

If your pan doesn't have the little tab for holding it, that is why the scale is off. They break off the pans all the time.

[smokingloon]

Sorry... didn't get what you were after. Thought you were asking if I even had the pan assembly attached while zeroing (sometimes it helps to verify the obvious when working with the unseen )

It has a silver pan constructed out of some alloy that is holding shot in it. The hook loops around that pan, then there is the shallow pan constructed of the same alloy that is affixed to the lower pan via phillips screw. All silver, no color variations between the upper and lower pans.

The entire "contraption" with shot inside weighs 25.9 grams, 10.4 grams of which is crusty old birdshot.

does your scale come with the gold pan also? I offset it so you could see it easier.

[Fjold]

It sounds like you're missing the gold (brass) colored pan like in the picture of the Dillon scale above.

Call RCBS, you need that pan to get it to zero.

[rayra]

Sorry... didn't get what you were after. Thought you were asking if I even had the pan assembly attached while zeroing (sometimes it helps to verify the obvious when working with the unseen )

It has a silver pan constructed out of some alloy that is holding shot in it. The hook loops around that pan, then there is the shallow pan constructed of the same alloy that is affixed to the lower pan via phillips screw. All silver, no color variations between the upper and lower pans.

The entire "contraption" with shot inside weighs 25.9 grams, 10.4 grams of which is crusty old birdshot.

Sounds like you're missing the seperate gold-anodized pan that's supposed to sit on the "contraption".

eta - ah, already well-covered.

[calidefector]

Yep... exactly what's going on. The pan is missing. That would most definitely do it

I guess when I'm in town tomorrow maybe I'll pop in and see how much they'd ding me for a new one (RCBS is right here in Oroville.) I didn't even think of that as I was going to weigh a bullet, but thinking of it along the lines of weighing powder, one would most definitely need something "pourable".

Thanks for the eye-opener, guys! The picture was worth a hundred posts

[Nodda Duma]

Yep... exactly what's going on. The pan is missing. That would most definitely do it

I guess when I'm in town tomorrow maybe I'll pop in and see how much they'd ding me for a new one (RCBS is right here in Oroville.) I didn't even think of that as I was going to weigh a bullet, but thinking of it along the lines of weighing powder, one would most definitely need something "pourable".

Thanks for the eye-opener, guys! The picture was worth a hundred posts

Once you do get the pan, you can fine-tune the balance by adding birdshot to the lower pan (remove the screws, insert birdshot, yadda yadda)

-Jason

[calidefector]

Got 'er done! Picked me up a new pan from RCBS on the way back from the range. Extremely impressed with their customer service. So impressed that I cancelled an order for another brand of tumbler, and will be picking up one of theirs this afternoon.

Anyway, the newer pan must have been heavier than whatever was being used before as it dropped like a rock. Had to take out about 2/3 of the shot in the lower cup, but it's working as expected now and I'm able to zero it.

Thanks!