Problem with New RCBS Uniflow Powder Weasure(s)

[fishhead1]

So I decided to treat myself to a new RCBS Uniflow powder measure for Christmas. A well known national internet vender (that I have dealt with many times in the past) had an advertised special going on with this same powder measure, so I said "Why not?". Silly me. Received the FIRST powder measure shortly before Christmas. Upon inspecting the hardware and cleaning (as per instructions), I noticed a brown residue inside the measure body (inside the downspout below the Measuring Cylinder). This residue would not clean out, and looked suspiciously like rust.
Called the vender, and they said just return the item and they would replace, no problem. Just received the SECOND powder measure; and to my dismay, it is in the same shape. Have tried to clean this stuff out, but no luck. It definitely appears to be corroded and rusty inside. If I did not know better, I would think they just returned the same item to me.
Have not called the vender again, as yet. Will probably return the item, again, and tell them to keep their powder measure and refund my money. Before I do this, was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

How did it measure? Did it affect the metering of powder? Did powder stick to this brown residue?

[fishhead1]

Didn't even attempt to measure any powder with it. Just boxed it up and sent it back (which is probably what I'll do with the second one). Not about to accept something that looks like it's been sitting on the shelf somewhere for years. Probably why they were on sale.

[Cary]

RCBS stands behind their products. You may want to give them a call and see if they will help you out. They have EXCELLENT customer service. MY father in law had an older RCBS scale that was not consistent and he just replaced it with another one. One day he gave me the scale that was not consistent to do with it as I wanted. I called RCBS and they had me send it in no questions asked. It came back repaired free of charge.
Cary

[Snyper]

It may just be stained from the rust preventatives used at the factory,

If it's not rough feeling, I wouldn't worry over a little discoloration

If it really bothers you, polish it with Flitz or very fine Scotchbrite

[Nick_C_S]

I'm kind of in the same place as many respondents: If it's something that isn't affecting performance, then I'd be likely to live with it and move on.

[jdscholer]

Light rust or the patina from it is the natural surface condition of cast iron that has not been painted or oiled. If you get one that isn't lightly rusted, give it time, it soon will be.

Don't oil it, just make sure it is clean and smooth. It will be fine. jd

[fishhead1]

I've tried cleaning the inside best I can with not much luck. The inside of the downspout is the worst area. Appears the whole body, both inside and out, is supposed to be coated with a corrosion preventive surface treatment that, apparently, was not consistently applied on the inside (according to the box, the item is made in "the USA and China"; so, assuming the body is made in China, not greatly surprised). As I stated above, the inside of the downspout, which needs to be relatively smooth for consistent measuring, is the most corroded and rough. Would not trust it to throw consistent loads. Guess I will try RCBS to see if they will help. Nothing to lose.

[fishhead1]

Just checked the RCBS site for their phone number. They're closed until Jan 5. Great.

[buck460XVR]

I read about the rust like residue inside of the new Uniflo's before. Seems RCBS is aware of the problem and will replace them. Sucks that they're closed tho.

[MadDawg]

To me, it sounds like it might be a vendor issue; you know, the vendor storing the product someplace where it's more likely to rust as it's waiting to be bought.

Happens with places that have the product sitting on the shelves too long. It happens with other stuff too, although the problem may not be rust.

Anecdote: Years back I was buying small UPS's (backup batteries) for several offices. I was ordering them thru vendor X and the UPS's were fine. Expensive, but fine. Later, Vendor Y was discovered with lower prices. Ordered 6 new, of which 5 were new but with bad batteries.. Sent 3 back to replace, of which 2 of the replacements were also bad. Solution: I stopped buying from Vendor Y.

[Mike / Tx]

Not to take away from your disatisfaction with the NEW measure, but I have 5 of them that I use for different purposes. I have small drums in a couple that are dedicated for handgun and the large in the others for rifles.

Almost all of them have some discolored area in the drop portion of the cylinders. I have not found any of them that do not drop consistent weight charges though, except with certain powders, and that is the drum and powder, or the case funnel, not the body which is the culprit.

If it is a real issue I guess you could simply get your money back on it, or you could take one of the smaller flapper type sanding wheels and polish it up nice then powder coat it.

Those bodies are cast and usually not really finished in the insides other than where they are machined for the drum to fit. The powder drops right on through with no issues on mine with the exception mentioned above. Use flake powders and you will find a few issues, or use large stick powder and a small neck funnel and you will have stacking issues, but it won't be from the actual measure body casting.

[Griff, SASS93]

Mine's some 40 years old... it stays in a drawer out in the workshop (unheated/cooled) in the barn... it has some discoloration on the inside of the cast areas... But still works just like when it was new...

[Nick_C_S]

Griff, SASS93: "Mine's some 40 years old... But still works just like when it was new."

Well Griff, yours has 10 years on mine . Mine too works like the day it was made, and every surface that isn't painted or moves has superficial corrosion.

(Side note: I have the small measuring cylinder in mine. And I believe that many who report on metering problems have the large one.)

[buck460XVR]

As I said, RCBS is aware of the problem. Here is a quote from another forum about the problem.....

Just talked to RCBS. They said sometimes in the casting process, the sand will adhere to the inside of the chute and there will be improper cleaning after that process. He said he has seen a couple come in like that. Normal consumer cleaning will not clear the melted sand away. Anyway, they are sending a new unit with hopper attached plus a new measuring screw.

[fishhead1]

Good to know (ie RCBS aware of the problem). Add to it, if the body is, in fact, made in China, I think they (RCBS) will have more probs like this. Always hate to see a trusted manufacturer, such as RCBS, start sourcing their hardware from China. Just asking, in my humble opinion, for problems (and, yes, I am definitely opinionated here).

[Unclenick]

I note that Lee Precision is able to do all their casting and machining here, and still offer good prices. So I'm not sure why RCBS does not. Probably the difference in being privately owned by a family and being owned by a big corporation that demands quarterly profit performance numbers. Currently ATK owns Alliant, Blackhawk!, CCI, Champion Target, Eagle Industries, Estate Cartridge, Force on Force, Federal, Gunslick, Outers, RCBS, Redfield, Savage, Simmons, Speer and Weaver, plus runs Lake City on contract, plus have their own various defense systems stuff. It's a lot of consolidation, and isn't done if they don't expect to share in the profits.