[Deadeye]

I've started a little collection of Vintage/Antique reloading scales. So far I have a couple & two more on the way. The precision machining that was put into these old scales is amazing, they make the plastic, mass produced crap we get now days look like shit. The first one I got is a redding scale, it's very old & rusty around the edges but is built better than anything you can get nowdays. The base is cast iron with a steel leveling screw. The beam is brass. It does not have any type of dampening mechanism so its very sensitive to even the slightest air movement. Not very practical to use compared to more modern scales but still looks cool & fun to play with.

The other one I got yesterday is a Pacific (now Hornady) scale, vintage 1970s as near as I can tell. It is in near perfect condition. It has a cast aluminum base, with two leveling screws & a bubble level. The beam is aluminum with brass slide weights. It is oil dampened, has an oil reservoir that a paddle on the beam hangs down in to dampen the oscillations. I'm trying to find out what type of oil is used in them. The bottom of the reservoir has some old dried, sticky residue of what ever they used originally. I really would like to set this scale up & use it as I think it'll be more accurate than any of the new scales I have. I'm thinking some type of light synthetic oil that won't dry out or thicken up over time. I read an article on another type of scale, that mentioned using a silicon based oil.

I don't think it matters what I use as long as I can figure out the viscosity & find one that is stable & won't soften the paint on the base.

Any ideas fellers?

 

[deputy125]

perhaps mineral oil?

 

[Deadeye]

perhaps mineral oil?

Is mineral oil stable enough to not thicken/gum up? I did a little more reading that basically said any light oil will work like 3in1 oil. A couple of the items I read said that one of the problems that occurs is the oil "creeping" & gumming up the works. I don't see how oil could defy gravity & creep up the paddle. I understand capillary action but it should not be a factor in this case.

I'm planning to degrease the reservoir & try some synthetic motor oil I have that's 5W-20. I figure I can just start with just enough to touch the paddle then add tiny amounts till I get it to work. I'm also planning to build a dust cover for it. I'll start with this plan & see how it works.

I'm still interested in any info on these old scales so "Bring it fellers".

 

[deputy125]

then perhaps ATF ?

 

[jimbo1096]

Deadeye, they used a light electric motor bearing oil, and 3 in1 is fine. The 5w20 type oil is too heavy. You want the paddle to just be submursed. It will dampen the swing fairly rapidly and be just as accurate as newer scales once it is zeroed out. Always use check weights to verify the scale's accuracy throughout it's full range before setting up as your powder scale.

 

[Deadeye]

Thanks for the replies fellers. I think I'll go with Marvel Mystery Oil I have a Qt. of it that I use to oil my air tools. It should be about the right viscosity. I'm gonna set her up tonight I,ll let ya,ll know how she works.

 

[Deadeye]

SCORE!!!!! Got another set of scales today.
Here's what I got so far:

The Pacific my "Big Daddy":

Redding Oil Dampened "Little Bro.":

Redding OLD "Gramps:

Those are what I have to date. I have a Webster scale on the way. I've just been lurking ebay for the deals. $16.00 is the most I've spent on one. One of them I only paid $3.50 for.(prices before shipping) The Pacific is the one I'm going to finish setting up tonight then its load'n time!

 

[Bountyhunter]

You'll have quite the collection before you know it.