Lee powder saftey scales

[tika.308]

At last i have made a start with my loading kit, are these scales normally a pain in the arse to set up ? I took them out of the box, set everything to zero but i cant get them set to zero. If that makes sense.

 

[see it shoot it]

At last i have made a start with my loading kit, are these scales normally a pain in the arse to set up ? I took them out of the box, set everything to zero but i cant get them set to zero. If that makes sense.

best place for them is in the bin,then go and get a set of RCBS

 

[1066]

At last i have made a start with my loading kit, are these scales normally a pain in the arse to set up ? I took them out of the box, set everything to zero but i cant get them set to zero. If that makes sense.

So - what seems to be the problem? I'm not a fan of the Lee scales, although they are accurate enough if they are set up properly, they are fiddly to adjust and can be easy to miss read. - Have a look on youtube for Lee scales, there's several videos showing how to set them up.

I really would look around for an RCBS 502 or 505 or maybe a Redding No2 scale - If they're not abused they will last a lifetime. A lot of the Lee products work well but the scale isn't one of the highlights of the range.

 

[Tom D]

You have to keep adjusting the knurled ring little by little until they balance, They are fiddly though.

 

[tika.308]

I keep adjusting the brass ring but it seems over sensitive, its nearly there and move it hardly at all and the bloody thing shoots the other way. I have read the scales are not the best by some and others rave about them, these came with the kit so thought i would try them.
Cheers

 

[Tom D]

one other thing, make sure the beam is properly seated on the stand, it can get into the wrong position and still appear to work. wiggle the beam back and forwards to make sure its on properly.

 

[sikastag270]

Hard too set up a 10 year old could set up made 20 thousand rounds with same scale perfect

 

[Cyres]

Never had an issue with mine, seem spot on from what i can tell, are they siting on the pivot correctly?

I agree difficult to weigh something with but when set up to weigh a specific ammount then faultless.

Numbering can be poor bit of tippex soon resolves this.

D

 

[Webley Boy]

I've been reloading for many years and started off with the Lee scales. I always found them to be a pain. I now use the little pocket digital scales that certain 'herb' retailers tend to use. You can pick these up from fleabay for under a tenner. I have checked them against RCBS Rangemaster scales and they are spot on.

 

[270TOMMY]

andy you are rushing things mate sit yourself down with a nice crisp sarny or pie butty then all will become clear be patient mate c u in 2 weeks

 

[tika.308]

Tommy you may have a good point ! Im still off the bread and any other junk for that matter so perhaps i have the shakes Looking forward to seeing you again and catching up again, just dont do a runner again this time !

 

[branko]

At last i have made a start with my loading kit, are these scales normally a pain in the arse to set up ? I took them out of the box, set everything to zero but i cant get them set to zero. If that makes sense.

Lee products and dubious quality seem to be a regular occurence on this directory. Shouldnt say anything as there are many who will defend lee products to the bitter end, just have a look at some of the recent threads its like a broken record

 

[kennyc]

Lee products and dubious quality seem to be a regular occurence on this directory. Shouldnt say anything as there are many who will defend lee products to the bitter end, just have a look at some of the recent threads its like a broken record

you are quite right, a quick look back shows you are not a fan of Lee

 

[branko]

Not a fan at all, I actually had a set of scales in my first ever lee challenger kit , worse than useless , you couldnt even sporterise them. Did you see the sporterised press on one of the threads

 

[1066]

Not a fan at all, I actually had a set of scales in my first ever lee challenger kit , worse than useless , you couldnt even sporterise them. Did you see the sporterised press on one of the threads

Ohh come on now! Of course you can sporterise them

 

[Muir]

I have a Lee Scale. Not as easy to use as most. You need to be very careful when setting it. (as you do with all scales) That said, it's 1/3 the cost of a RCBS 505 and most reloaders on a budget can get by with it just fine. Only saw one that gave any grief, opeationally speaking, but a cotton-tipped swab with some alcohol on it cleaned out the foreign matter in the balance cut and it worked fine after that.

There are a lot of people on this site that could get really uppity with regards to reloading gear. I know many have uber high quality/precision stuff that puts the highly vaunted RCBS gear to shame, yet they maintain the attitude that if it gets you shooting and it works for you, that's great. That's how it should be. I have Lee equipment. The only items I have no use for are the old spindle drive turret presses and the powder measure when used with very fine powder. I have found Lee gear innovative and some of it down right essential to my loading. I love the Auto Prime. The Universal Neck Expander gets used with every cartridge I load. I consider the Factory Crimp Die a must. Collet dies are a staple and occupy a lot of space on my die shelf.

All in all, I'd venture to say that there are more people that like Lee gear than dislike it.~Muir

 

[dlz90]

I have a Lee Scale. Not as easy to use as most. You need to be very careful when setting it. (as you do with all scales) That said, it's 1/3 the cost of a RCBS 505 and most reloaders on a budget can get by with it just fine. Only saw one that gave any grief, opeationally speaking, but a cotton-tipped swab with some alcohol on it cleaned out the foreign matter in the balance cut and it worked fine after that.

There are a lot of people on this site that could get really uppity with regards to reloading gear. I know many have uber high quality/precision stuff that puts the highly vaunted RCBS gear to shame, yet they maintain the attitude that if it gets you shooting and it works for you, that's great. That's how it should be. I have Lee equipment. The only items I have no use for are the old spindle drive turret presses and the powder measure when used with very fine powder. I have found Lee gear innovative and some of it down right essential to my loading. I love the Auto Prime. The Universal Neck Expander gets used with every cartridge I load. I consider the Factory Crimp Die a must. Collet dies are a staple and occupy a lot of space on my die shelf.

All in all, I'd venture to say that there are more people that like Lee gear than dislike it.~Muir

Been loading with the lee kit for many years, and personally don't see the problem with it hell it's cheap to buy and cheap to replace if you do break something, but most importantly when used correctly it makes very accurate ammunition.


Damian.

 

[branko]

OMG thats amazing Didnt realise this sporterising thing Is taking off

Ohh come on now! Of course you can sporterise them

 

[1066]

OMG thats amazing Didnt realise this sporterising thing Is taking off

Although as I've said, I'm not a fan of the Lee scale, there's a lot going for it - I think Lee were trying to make it just a bit too cheap - I remember when they were introduced they were around £12.

1) They are very sensitive because a) the knife edge is actually a bit of hardened razor sharp blade like a craft knife blade, the knife edge on something like an RCBS 10/10 are not particularly hard and cut at 60 degrees like a cold chisel.
2) The full scale range on a Lee scale is only 100 grains, on almost all other scales the range is 500 grains. I guess 98% of the time the powder scales are used in the 2.5 - 50 grain range, why have a scale that reads 500 grains and only ever use the first 10% of it's range. This is like trying to drive your car at exactly 4.3 mph when your speedo reads 0-150mph. You would be much better off with a speedo that reads between 0-20 mph.
3) The Lee scale has an approach to weight indicator, the only other scales that have this feature are the top of the RCBS range 10/10's and the now obsolete 5-10 scales.

The down side of the Lee scale is the fact that it is fiddly to actually try to weigh something and to adjust the weight, I know it works, it's just not easy.
Also, it's small physical size means that it has a short moment length, with a longer beam it can be made incredibly accurate and repeatable.

This scale needs rejigging to take advantage of the plus points. It could be the basis of a very accurate and reliable scale with a bit of creative surgery.

 

[Muir]

Although as I've said, I'm not a fan of the Lee scale, there's a lot going for it - I think Lee were trying to make it just a bit too cheap - I remember when they were introduced they were around £12.

1) They are very sensitive because a) the knife edge is actually a bit of hardened razor sharp blade like a craft knife blade, the knife edge on something like an RCBS 10/10 are not particularly hard and cut at 60 degrees like a cold chisel.
2) The full scale range on a Lee scale is only 100 grains, on almost all other scales the range is 500 grains. I guess 98% of the time the powder scales are used in the 2.5 - 50 grain range, why have a scale that reads 500 grains and only ever use the first 10% of it's range. This is like trying to drive your car at exactly 4.3 mph when your speedo reads 0-150mph. You would be much better off with a speedo that reads between 0-20 mph.
3) The Lee scale has an approach to weight indicator, the only other scales that have this feature are the top of the RCBS range 10/10's and the now obsolete 5-10 scales.

The down side of the Lee scale is the fact that it is fiddly to actually try to weigh something and to adjust the weight, I know it works, it's just not easy.
Also, it's small physical size means that it has a short moment length, with a longer beam it can be made incredibly accurate and repeatable.

This scale needs rejigging to take advantage of the plus points. It could be the basis of a very accurate and reliable scale with a bit of creative surgery.

Exceptionally well said!~Muir