vintage Redding scale

LOUD · June 20, 2010, 01:34 PM

I just bought on an auction site a "vintage Redding scale , Its now on its way to me and I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with it or opinion ? I dont know how old it is, but appears to be in good shape and has all of its parts. It has a black metal base and a clearly marked beam, and weighs up to 325 grains . I bought it reasonable and maybe will use it to compare with my digital . Thanks , LOUD

jaguarxk120 · June 20, 2010, 01:56 PM

I would think the seller called it a vintage scale, but it should be fully functional and very accurate. I use my old Redding as a double check against the electronic scales I have. Just get a set of scale check weights. I have a very old set from the Darr Gun Room, got them long before the loading mfgr's started making check weights. Use them to double check all my scales.

One point of note if you use scale check weights use forceps or tweezers to handle them, the moisture and from your fingerprints can dammage them. I also have a set of precision gram weights and they came with a set of handling tweeers.

Clark · June 20, 2010, 11:58 PM

The old brown Redding scales are all over at the gun shows for cheap.

As said above they are very accurate.

They sometime take a long time to resolve.
There is often a tub and a paddle.
The tub can be filled with oil, and the scale will be damped and resolve much faster.

Tuzo · June 21, 2010, 12:12 AM

I use either of my two Redding beam scales as checks for an RCBS ChargeMaster Combo scale and powder measure. All three instruments will weigh a check weight accurately.

One Redding has a heavy dark brown base and is hydraulically dampened. Either light oil or a few drops of water can be used as the dampening agent.

The second Redding Master Model has a light green base with magnetic dampening. This scale weighs less than the first Redding.

Both Reddings are accurate and solid units and were used extensively until I went electronic with the RCBS ChargeMaster.

**Mike Irwin** · June 21, 2010, 08:15 AM

Get yourself a set of scale weights from Midway or Graffs if you don't already have a set.

While it may be vintage, it's still used, and you must be certain that it's going to measure accurately for you.

brickeyee · June 21, 2010, 11:29 AM

Knife edges can be damaged or wear out.

Verify operation with check weights.

floydster · June 21, 2010, 04:54 PM

Well, I have been using my Redding beam scale for 58 years and the scale is as accurate as the day I bought it for $14, still have the box it came in. They have a heavy cast frame, and I use 3 in1 oil for dampining.

Floydster

chris in va · June 21, 2010, 06:40 PM

I bought an old Redding scale off Ebay for $25, dated around the 50's. It's dark brown with a brass colored beam and no damping ability. It works fantastic. Very sturdy.

I only have one gripe, the pan is pretty shallow and stick powders tend to bounce out. I'd like to get a deeper pan somehow, or modify this one.

LOUD · June 21, 2010, 07:13 PM

Thanks for your input , Im still waiting for my scale to arrive. Chris ,that looks just like the pic on the auction site that I bought mine from , even the box. Again thank you so much........ LOUD

June 20, 2010, 01:34 PM	#1
LOUD Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 236	vintage Redding scale I just bought on an auction site a "vintage Redding scale , Its now on its way to me and I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with it or opinion ? I dont know how old it is, but appears to be in good shape and has all of its parts. It has a black metal base and a clearly marked beam, and weighs up to 325 grains . I bought it reasonable and maybe will use it to compare with my digital . Thanks , LOUD

June 21, 2010, 12:12 AM	#4
Tuzo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 797	You bought a very good scale I use either of my two Redding beam scales as checks for an RCBS ChargeMaster Combo scale and powder measure. All three instruments will weigh a check weight accurately. One Redding has a heavy dark brown base and is hydraulically dampened. Either light oil or a few drops of water can be used as the dampening agent. The second Redding Master Model has a light green base with magnetic dampening. This scale weighs less than the first Redding. Both Reddings are accurate and solid units and were used extensively until I went electronic with the RCBS ChargeMaster.

June 21, 2010, 08:15 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Get yourself a set of scale weights from Midway or Graffs if you don't already have a set. While it may be vintage, it's still used, and you must be certain that it's going to measure accurately for you. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 21, 2010, 06:40 PM	#8
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I bought an old Redding scale off Ebay for $25, dated around the 50's. It's dark brown with a brass colored beam and no damping ability. It works fantastic. Very sturdy. I only have one gripe, the pan is pretty shallow and stick powders tend to bounce out. I'd like to get a deeper pan somehow, or modify this one. Last edited by chris in va; June 21, 2010 at 06:49 PM.

June 20, 2010, 01:56 PM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	I would think the seller called it a vintage scale, but it should be fully functional and very accurate. I use my old Redding as a double check against the electronic scales I have. Just get a set of scale check weights. I have a very old set from the Darr Gun Room, got them long before the loading mfgr's started making check weights. Use them to double check all my scales. One point of note if you use scale check weights use forceps or tweezers to handle them, the moisture and from your fingerprints can dammage them. I also have a set of precision gram weights and they came with a set of handling tweeers.

June 20, 2010, 11:58 PM	#3
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	The old brown Redding scales are all over at the gun shows for cheap. As said above they are very accurate. They sometime take a long time to resolve. There is often a tub and a paddle. The tub can be filled with oil, and the scale will be damped and resolve much faster.

June 21, 2010, 11:29 AM	#6
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	Knife edges can be damaged or wear out. Verify operation with check weights.

June 21, 2010, 04:54 PM	#7
floydster Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2008 Posts: 472	Well, I have been using my Redding beam scale for 58 years and the scale is as accurate as the day I bought it for $14, still have the box it came in. They have a heavy cast frame, and I use 3 in1 oil for dampining. Floydster

June 21, 2010, 07:13 PM	#9
LOUD Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 236	Thanks for your input , Im still waiting for my scale to arrive. Chris ,that looks just like the pic on the auction site that I bought mine from , even the box. Again thank you so much........ LOUD