I would just like to stress the importance of.....

[GLOCKENNBOOMER]

making damn sure that your scale is sitting on a level surface!! I swear to God I thought something was broke. I had hell with getting my powder charges right with my Eliminator. I'd adjust the 550 to decrease the charge, the scale was showing it was heavy, next thing you know it would be too light,then back to too much again. I'd keep adjusting back and forth. Turns out there is a big ripple on the surface of my desk that I use as a bench. You can't see it but you can damn sure feel it when you run your hand over it, and my scale was sitting right on it. After moving the scale to another spot everything was right in my world again.

[freakshow10mm]

It's always the small things like your situation that always get the best of us.

[MullahElRon]

You'd think that they could build a 10 cent bubble level into 'em...

[Oreo]

Some of'em do.

[Murphy's Law]

And you wonder why I call myself "Murphy's Law". Thought those type events only happen to me! Glad you figured it out rather quickly.

[zdogk9]

You'd think that they could build a 10 cent bubble level into 'em...
Mullah, you can go to HD and pick up a stick on level vial. I've got my scale on a shelf behind the press at shoulder level, true it up before each session. The shelf is wall hung so vibrations from the bench don't affect it.

[GLOCKENNBOOMER]

You'd think that they could build a 10 cent bubble level into 'em...
What would it hurt to glue a bubble level or two onto the base of the scale?

Sometimes you might think you have a big problem and it could turn out to be a little problem..

[colorado4wheel]

Sounds more like Glockennboomers problem was the scale was actually moving from one part of the ripple to the next. Scales can be adjusted to level and work fine as long as they don't move from that spot. So a level table is not crucial. Obviously you don't want it too far off. I have tought about making a plateform that my scale permenatly sits on. Then I can clamp the scale to the same part of the table every time. The scale would be fastned in some way to the plateform. Then the scale does not move when you place a new charge on the scale. You would still want to zero the scale every session but the scale would not loose it's zero as a result of being bumped.

[Oreo]

I always zero & then check with a calibration weight every time. Usually several times in a loading session since it only takes a couple seconds to do. If your calibration weight isn't reading right then you know right off the bat that it isn't your charge weight & you need to resolve your scale issues before continuing to load.

[gokyo]

Scales can be adjusted to level and work fine as long as they don't move from that spot.

An analytic chemist would disagree with that.

However if you are happy with +/- 0.1 grain, then it being absolutely level and vibration free is probably not necessary.

However when I get on a balance that masses to the .01 mg (.00001 grams) I want to make sure that the balance is level and vibration free.

The balance I use for reloading measures to the +/- 0.001 grams which is about +/- .015 grains.

I like this balance to be level.

[colorado4wheel]

Well, you have to decide what is "level", what are you using to determine "level" and how accuarte is that tool. Considering that all we normal people have to determine level is a construction style "framing level" at best we can't ever really say something is "level" but it can be close. Probably no were near the precesion you are referring to. Put it too you this way. My table is "level" using a 4ft level. But my table surface which to the naked eye and to the straight edge appear imperfection free can show a change in zero if I move the scale 12 inchs (for instance). So I can get a torpedo level and check that smaller spot but then that measuring device is not as accurate as my 4 ft level. It's like chasing your tail. To some people perhaps it's lots of fun, to me I get it as close as possible and just use my scale in the same spot every time.

[colorado4wheel]

I like this balance to be level.


Lets say you have a table that is perfectly level front to back but off in level by 1/8 an inch in 4 ft L/R. You have a balance beam scale and that scale faces L/R. You then adjust the foot up to get the scale zero'd. It's now perfect L/R and was always perfect front to back. Whats the difference/why does this even matter?