So, I've been using an RCBS Chargemaster for several years now, without any apparent issue. However, it was fairly well-used when I got it, and I've had a concern about it dying unexpectedly on me. So, I've kind of been casually keeping an eye on the FA Intellidropper as a possible second unit, if the price was right. Last week I saw that Natchez had them on sale for $169, so I thought I'd take a flyer and see how it is.
After setting it up, I've been running it thru some side-by-side tests against the RCBS, and then comparing those to the beam scale. What I've found so far is that both of them seem to consistently weigh things about .1gr lighter than what the beam says. If the target weight is 41.5gr, what both dispensers say is 41.5gr is more like 41.4gr on the beam. But it's consistent, so that's all that really matters.
I wanted to try weighing some standard weights to see how the two compared with those, and here's where I'm scratching my head. It just so happens that some good candidates are right in my change dish: A nickel, penny, and dime. According to the US Mint, a nickel weighs 5.0 grams, a penny weighs 2.5 grams, and a dime weighs 2.268 grams. Multiply the gram weight by 15.42 to convert to grains. So I have 3 new (not worn) coins, and the nickel and penny weigh just as expected. However, the dime weighs 2.25 grams according to both of my scales, instead of the expected 2.268 grams. I've tried another dime and got the same result. Someone out there please weigh a new dime on your scale and let me know what it says. This has got me perplexed.
Thanks,
Brian
After setting it up, I've been running it thru some side-by-side tests against the RCBS, and then comparing those to the beam scale. What I've found so far is that both of them seem to consistently weigh things about .1gr lighter than what the beam says. If the target weight is 41.5gr, what both dispensers say is 41.5gr is more like 41.4gr on the beam. But it's consistent, so that's all that really matters.
I wanted to try weighing some standard weights to see how the two compared with those, and here's where I'm scratching my head. It just so happens that some good candidates are right in my change dish: A nickel, penny, and dime. According to the US Mint, a nickel weighs 5.0 grams, a penny weighs 2.5 grams, and a dime weighs 2.268 grams. Multiply the gram weight by 15.42 to convert to grains. So I have 3 new (not worn) coins, and the nickel and penny weigh just as expected. However, the dime weighs 2.25 grams according to both of my scales, instead of the expected 2.268 grams. I've tried another dime and got the same result. Someone out there please weigh a new dime on your scale and let me know what it says. This has got me perplexed.
Thanks,
Brian
