Scales

[claude]

I am curious about what scales would be appropriate for alloying in 20 pound or less batches? My biggest pot is a 20 pounder and I do not see larger batch smelting in my future so would appreciate your thoughts an a good set of scales to use in the twenty and under range? Are good kitchen scales up to it? I'm ignorant of what is available and suitable.
Thanks, claude

[Hardcast416taylor]

Been using a dietary scale to weigh my ingredients for making an alloy. The scale goes up to 25 lb. on the dial, so a 20 lb. pot mix is no trouble. Paid $3.50 for it at a yard sale some years back, the gal was selling alot of exercise equipment along with diet books - wonder if she gave up losing weight?Robert

[bangerjim]

You will not want to put 20# in a 20# pot!

I use a harbor freight ~11# digital scale. Works great for lbs/gms/ozs. Far more accurate than any bathroom scale!

Use your 20% off coupon!

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-scale-95364.html

Or if you must weight 20# or more at one time:

http://www.harborfreight.com/70-lb-32-kg-digital-postal-scale-95069.html

banger

[mold maker]

Many digital scales of that size will auto reset to zero at inopportune times.
An older commercial balance scale will serve your purpose, and can be found at flea markets. and yard sales. for cheap.

[Mk42gunner]

The size of the melting pot doesn't necessarily dictate the size of the scale used to weigh ingredients. You could use anything from a powder scale with lots of repetitions to a platform scale used at a weigh station, but neither of those ideas are really feasible.

I use an old Hanson kitchen scale that has a capacity of 25 pounds that my Grandpa bought new, probably in the 1940's.

If you want more definition, one of the digital scales from china will work.

Robert

[bangerjim]

Many digital scales of that size will auto reset to zero at inopportune times.
An older commercial balance scale will serve your purpose, and can be found at flea markets. and yard sales. for cheap.

I have at least 8 digital scales (including 3 cheeeeep HF scales) and I have NEVER seen the reset you refer to above. All mine are rock solid and accurate. the HF ones are on the low $$ end and the lab grade scales are waaaaay up there on the $$ range.

Digital is great and the way things are done today. I like to see resilutions of 0.1 to 0.001 units when weighing things. I collect antique scales, have a LOT of them, and, yes, the old double pan scientific and trade ones are neat to see, but I rely on digital to do everything today.

Digital will save you lots and lots of time when weighing!

banger

[claude]

I want to thank you all for sharing, that's part of what makes this site so great. The extra tip on not crowding the pot capacity is appreciated as well.

claude

[tmc-okc]

Claude, see this on flea bay -- http://www.ebay.com/itm/TWO-CARDINAL-DETECTO-AS-350D-MAILING-SCALES-/151671332208?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item235050dd70

I picked up one of these about 20 years ago in a bankruptcy auction for $25.00. They sold new at the time for $900.00. I have had one problem with it since then and Cardinal Detecto replaced the circuit board for $ 65.00 + shipping both ways. This is a Legal For Trade scale and will weigh between 0.01 Ounces and 150 Lbs.. Perfect for a large cast iron pot with 60 Lbs of alloy in it. It is really accurate. Perhaps you can sell one of them and reduce your cost. These scales take a beating & keep on ticking. I currently have 3 of these in everyday use at work and one at home in my shop.

Ron H

[SeabeeMan]

http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=lp_289787_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1437688821&sr=1-1

I have one of these in my kitchen to help keep an eye on portions and I believe it goes to 11 lbs. If you don't mind splitting any part of your batch that is over 50%, it seems to be a great scale so far. Repeatable and measures down to a gram or .05 oz. For the work and precision you'd probably be doing with it, I would think something like that would work.

[Chill Wills]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250943046944?_trksid=p2055359.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Denver Instrument - Weight in grains too if that helps. I use this for loading as well as adding tin in exact amounts.

[Mal Paso]

I want to thank you all for sharing, that's part of what makes this site so great. The extra tip on not crowding the pot capacity is appreciated as well.

claude

If you own a Lee pot 20 LBS is wishful thinking. :bigsmyl2:

[Spruce]

Would the hanging type fishing scales, dial and digital, work. Thats all I have right now, and seems to work for the blending I do.

[mold maker]

I seriously doubt the receiver, of the boolits you cast, using those scales, will complain.
If they can, give them another one, in a better spot.

[Echo]

You will not want to put 20# in a 20# pot!

I use a harbor freight ~11# digital scale. Works great for lbs/gms/ozs. Far more accurate than any bathroom scale!

Use your 20% off coupon!

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-scale-95364.html

Or if you must weight 20# or more at one time:

http://www.harborfreight.com/70-lb-32-kg-digital-postal-scale-95069.html

banger

I have the 70-pounder, as my dutch oven will handle 40 lbs easily. Measures to the nearest ounce, which is close enough when dealing w/40-lb lots. For the OP, I would suggest this one, since you will probably up-grade to larger equipment, sooner or later.

[Naphtali]

I am curious about what scales would be appropriate for alloying in 20 pound or less batches? My biggest pot is a 20 pounder and I do not see larger batch smelting in my future so would appreciate your thoughts an a good set of scales to use in the twenty and under range? Are good kitchen scales up to it? I'm ignorant of what is available and suitable.
Thanks, claudeClaude:

I cannot thank you enough for drawing my attention to this issue. I have significant quantities of metals that I must mix in a short time; my mixed bars are nearly exhausted. I have excellent scales to weigh bullets. It had not occurred to me to think about how I was going to mix my unmixed stuff.

[jsizemore]

Any of these will fit the bill:

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/search.asp?keyword=ultraship-all&search=Go

I have used the Ultraship55 for the past 14 years and it's great. I've checked it over the years against certified scales at the PO and IGA. The only time it's had issues is when the batteries get weak (the zero wanders). I'm on my 3rd set of batteries in that 14 years. It works for weighing elements for mixing alloy, and certifying guns at matches. I take it to the flea market to check weight of pewter.

[claude]

Naphtali, you're welcome.

Jsizemore, great link, thank you, I'll save that.

bangerjim, and Mal Paso how much alloy do you think I can safely get in a Lee 20# pot?

To all the rest, thank you again. I already have an 11# digital on order, and will quite likely upgrade to one of the oldwillknotscales in the future.

Regards, claude

[jsizemore]

I never drained my Lee all the way so refill was usually in the 10-15 lb range.

[Mike W1]

Any of these will fit the bill:

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/search.asp?keyword=ultraship-all&search=Go

I have used the Ultraship55 for the past 14 years and it's great. I've checked it over the years against certified scales at the PO and IGA. The only time it's had issues is when the batteries get weak (the zero wanders). I'm on my 3rd set of batteries in that 14 years. It works for weighing elements for mixing alloy, and certifying guns at matches. I take it to the flea market to check weight of pewter.

Looks like I'm gonna be spending a few bucks on a scale! Much easier than what I have now it looks like.

Ordered one but for the $15.24 difference didn't feel like Will needed it much as I do! I can wait a few days at that rate.

Came today so only a 4 day wait, economy shipped UPS. Seems to be a nice little rig!