Mechanical Scale recommend one for a new reloader

[QuickDrawMcgraw]

Question on ebay purchase of a scale

Are used scales usually in good working order? I mean can they be thrown off somehow?

I get being tossed around, bent, etc and all - but on a mechanical scale is there something I should look out for besides the obvious visual flaws when buying a used mechanical scale?

[mauserand9mm]

I guess it's possible that the faceplates with the numbers on them could possibly become detached and then reattached in the wrong spot. You might now be able to tell from photos if it's a bit out. The beam pivot point would be a key area to check - nice clean sharp wedge on the beam and similar on the V notch in the base.

[Wobbly]

• The Ohaus scales are sometimes missing the pan, which costs about $18 + shipping to replace.
• If you seriously drop or crush one, the beams are cast aluminum and can easily bend and/or break.
• Sometimes people take apart the hanger which uses #9 shot to 'zero' the scale. If you lose some of the lead shot (which is easily replaced) then it won't zero again.
• Mostly the knives get rusty from being in long term storage. Just clean them up with a sharpening stone and apply waxy case lube to ward away further humidity.
• Rarely some fool will oil the knives and that gets oxidized and gummy. A cotton swab and alcohol on the gem stones fixes that.
• The magnetic flanges can get loose, but you can epoxy or LocTite those back onto the beam.

The main thing is to make sure all the pieces are there, that the beams are straight, and that the decals with the numbers aren't missing or illegible. Everything else is repairable.

[DW6395]

Any of the beam scales;  RCBS and others are good. I also double check and triple check with electronic scales. I also use RCBS charge master (electronic drop system). Takes a little more time but never had an issue. Getting it right is just part of the process and part of the fun of reloading. For pistol loads, it is not for cost savings it is enjoying reloading .

[firecracker6]

Of all the beam scales recommended here, I think the only one I haven't owned at one time or another is the Redding.  If I'm wrong someone correct me, but the only company I can think of that makes it's own scale is Lee --the rest are made by O'haus and that includes the Dillon.  Of all the one's I've owned the Dillon is the one I like best (the same one recommended by 2bfree).  All the Redding stuff I've owned has been very high quality so I've little doubt the scale is too. 

[Wobbly]

All the Redding stuff I've owned has been very high quality so I've little doubt the scale is too.

I believe Redding only makes the base, and that Ohaus (probably) makes the beam for them. Over all, the Redding is VERY well made. I especially like their heavy base design which keeps the unit from skittering around the reloading bench surface. They probably have the heaviest base in the reloading world.

Issues with the Redding are the beam poise reads in units of "5" (discussed previously), and lack of gem stones on the pivot. This latter one is not so much an issue where humidity is low, but in high humidity areas the "knives" may suffer low level galvanic corrosion... leading to loss of accuracy.