RCBS powder scales

Geezerbiker · September 6, 2014, 03:48 PM

I've found out that RCBS scales are now made in China and the quality is supposed to have tanked with the move. There goes my hopes to upgrade from a 502 to 1010 scale...

My old 502 works ok and is reliable but the 1010 is supposed to be easier to use and dial in to small changes in loads.

Tony

Nick_C_S · September 6, 2014, 04:48 PM

I bought a 1010 scale a just couple months back. I don't know if it's made in China or not (it's made by Ohaus, I know that); but I know it works like a champ. I am very pleased with it.

Technosavant · September 6, 2014, 06:00 PM

No idea, but I have a 1010 and quite like it. I've had it for something like 3-4 years (when I realized that Lee balance scale was cheap for a real reason). It's overkill for my purposes, but it works great.

GWS · September 6, 2014, 09:25 PM

Not going to guarantee this but, I think the Chinese scales are electronic.....doubt the Ohaus-built 10-10 is. The cheaper electronics including Ohaus, are probably all make in China.

F. Guffey · September 6, 2014, 10:48 PM

Geezerbiker, I had a RCBS scale that used the same beam as the 10/10. The scale required cleaning, my wife thought the beam required finesse so she decided to get involved. She returned the beam without one marking, nothing but white. I contacted RCBS for the stick on plate, no luck, they gave me a number to send it to OHAUS.

I did not need the scale so I put it off, later I called again to make sure RCBS and Ohaus was on speaking terms, that is when I found RCBS change their policy, the new policy required users to send the scales to RCBS. They had the option to repair or replace. I did not want to give up my scale for an option made in Mexico.

I had no ideal where the scales were being built, I went to the Arms Collectors gun show and found two beams for the 10/10 type scale for $5.00 each. I did have one of those moments, I thought about using the copying machine to make a copy of the beam.

F. Guffey

Jim243 · September 8, 2014, 12:38 AM

Quote:

There goes my hopes to upgrade from a 502 to 1010 scale...

Not sure that it would make a difference. Gravity is gravity wither at your home or in China. After all a balance beam scale just shows if the beam is in balance.

I have a balance bean scale (Hornady, actually a Pacific) and a RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 both give the same readings as to weight.

You could test the 1010 against the 502 or buy a set of test weights to insure any new scale is accurate.

Jim

lll Otto lll · September 8, 2014, 12:27 PM

RCBS scales have been made in China for the past twenty years.
When METTLER TOLEDO acquired Ohaus, they fired the US workers and moved production to Asia.

Same thing happened to Vise-Grips...in 2008, 300 employees were let go in DeWitt Nebraska. Sort of blows when the town's population is only 572.

Does this mean quality is compromised, not necessarily but it's the principal that matters.

33GURK · September 8, 2014, 01:02 PM

I have a 30 y/o 5-10 made by Ohaus and a newer 5-0-5, I prefer the 5-10 but the 5-0-5 is there if ever needed, both are good scales and will do what they are designed to do.

armoredman · September 8, 2014, 01:15 PM

Had a 505, now have a 10-10. Wish I had the other one back. I use a Winstead Peters electronic scale from Berrys Mfg...on the bottom it says "Made and assembled in the USA."

double bogey · September 8, 2014, 11:06 PM

I bought a 1010 on ebay (used of course) for $90.00. works perfectly.

Brotherbadger · September 9, 2014, 01:23 AM

I'd go and try to find a used one. Ebay has them all the time.

Nick_C_S · September 9, 2014, 12:01 PM

I was doing some loading yesterday and remembered this post as I was breaking out my new 1010 scale.

Yep, my new 1010 scale has a "made in China" sticker affixed to the bottom of it.

So there you have it.

But it's still an excellent performing scale. I have extensive experience with balance scales way beyond my 30 years of handloading - college, professionally (multiple jobs), other personal ventures, etc. Point is, I'm no novice when it comes to balance scales. I know a good one when I use it. And I've used my test weights on it. My new 1010 is a good one.

GWS · September 9, 2014, 07:59 PM

Well that sucks. What does Ohaus do now, just takes orders? I'm glad my 10-10 is 35 years old and made here.....hasn't missed a lick. Too bad.

Brotherbadger · September 11, 2014, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Well that sucks. What does Ohaus do now, just takes orders? I'm glad my 10-10 is 35 years old and made here.....hasn't missed a lick. Too bad.

probably. The days of putting a quality product above your profit margin are long gone for most companies.

Geezerbiker · September 11, 2014, 02:59 AM

I'm going to keep my eye out for an older used one and if that fails, I suppose I'll have to give in and get a new Chinese one.

I got my 502 over 25 years ago and it's pretty good but I always aspired to the 1010 even if I don't need it...

Tony

NWPilgrim · September 11, 2014, 03:11 AM

Wow, I didn't realize the scales had changed mfg location to China. My 10-10 is about 27 years old and made in USA. Still as simple and reliable as the day I took it out of the box.

I try hard to buy US made goods but it damn hard to find in some product sectors. Sad to see it overwhelm the reloading industry.

September 6, 2014, 03:48 PM	#1
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	RCBS powder scales I've found out that RCBS scales are now made in China and the quality is supposed to have tanked with the move. There goes my hopes to upgrade from a 502 to 1010 scale... My old 502 works ok and is reliable but the 1010 is supposed to be easier to use and dial in to small changes in loads. Tony

September 6, 2014, 04:48 PM	#2
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,521	I bought a 1010 scale a just couple months back. I don't know if it's made in China or not (it's made by Ohaus, I know that); but I know it works like a champ. I am very pleased with it. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

September 6, 2014, 09:25 PM	#4
GWS Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 688	Not going to guarantee this but, I think the Chinese scales are electronic.....doubt the Ohaus-built 10-10 is. The cheaper electronics including Ohaus, are probably all make in China. Last edited by GWS; September 6, 2014 at 09:37 PM.

September 8, 2014, 01:02 PM	#8
33GURK Member Join Date: September 8, 2014 Location: In the sticks Posts: 25	I have a 30 y/o 5-10 made by Ohaus and a newer 5-0-5, I prefer the 5-10 but the 5-0-5 is there if ever needed, both are good scales and will do what they are designed to do. __________________ NRA Life Member

September 8, 2014, 11:06 PM	#10
double bogey Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 81	I bought a 1010 on ebay (used of course) for $90.00. works perfectly. __________________ Nos operor non pensio volutabrum (We don't rent pigs)

September 6, 2014, 06:00 PM	#3
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	No idea, but I have a 1010 and quite like it. I've had it for something like 3-4 years (when I realized that Lee balance scale was cheap for a real reason). It's overkill for my purposes, but it works great.

September 6, 2014, 10:48 PM	#5
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	Geezerbiker, I had a RCBS scale that used the same beam as the 10/10. The scale required cleaning, my wife thought the beam required finesse so she decided to get involved. She returned the beam without one marking, nothing but white. I contacted RCBS for the stick on plate, no luck, they gave me a number to send it to OHAUS. I did not need the scale so I put it off, later I called again to make sure RCBS and Ohaus was on speaking terms, that is when I found RCBS change their policy, the new policy required users to send the scales to RCBS. They had the option to repair or replace. I did not want to give up my scale for an option made in Mexico. I had no ideal where the scales were being built, I went to the Arms Collectors gun show and found two beams for the 10/10 type scale for $5.00 each. I did have one of those moments, I thought about using the copying machine to make a copy of the beam. F. Guffey

September 8, 2014, 12:27 PM	#7
lll Otto lll Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Location: Lone Star State Posts: 295	RCBS scales have been made in China for the past twenty years. When METTLER TOLEDO acquired Ohaus, they fired the US workers and moved production to Asia. Same thing happened to Vise-Grips...in 2008, 300 employees were let go in DeWitt Nebraska. Sort of blows when the town's population is only 572. Does this mean quality is compromised, not necessarily but it's the principal that matters.

September 8, 2014, 01:15 PM	#9
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,295	Had a 505, now have a 10-10. Wish I had the other one back. I use a Winstead Peters electronic scale from Berrys Mfg...on the bottom it says "Made and assembled in the USA."

September 9, 2014, 01:23 AM	#11
Brotherbadger Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2010 Posts: 1,149	I'd go and try to find a used one. Ebay has them all the time. __________________ Once Fired Brass, Top quality, Fast shipping, Best prices. http://300AacBrass.com/ -10% Coupon use code " badger "

September 9, 2014, 12:01 PM	#12
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,521	I was doing some loading yesterday and remembered this post as I was breaking out my new 1010 scale. Yep, my new 1010 scale has a "made in China" sticker affixed to the bottom of it. So there you have it. But it's still an excellent performing scale. I have extensive experience with balance scales way beyond my 30 years of handloading - college, professionally (multiple jobs), other personal ventures, etc. Point is, I'm no novice when it comes to balance scales. I know a good one when I use it. And I've used my test weights on it. My new 1010 is a good one. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

September 9, 2014, 07:59 PM	#13
GWS Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 688	Well that sucks. What does Ohaus do now, just takes orders? I'm glad my 10-10 is 35 years old and made here.....hasn't missed a lick. Too bad.

September 11, 2014, 02:59 AM	#15
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	I'm going to keep my eye out for an older used one and if that fails, I suppose I'll have to give in and get a new Chinese one. I got my 502 over 25 years ago and it's pretty good but I always aspired to the 1010 even if I don't need it... Tony

September 11, 2014, 03:11 AM	#16
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	Wow, I didn't realize the scales had changed mfg location to China. My 10-10 is about 27 years old and made in USA. Still as simple and reliable as the day I took it out of the box. I try hard to buy US made goods but it damn hard to find in some product sectors. Sad to see it overwhelm the reloading industry.

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