I've read through a lot of posts on the Chargemaster 1500, different practices, and ways to get the best results, but I didn't feel like there was one good place where all the tricks I use were shared so I wanted to condense them into a single thread.
To start, the Chargemaster 1500 is a lot of machine for the money. It can also give you a lot of grief as you use it. When I first started with mine it nearly took a rapid flight across my basement and into the foundation wall. Understanding the machine and what causes the grief can make a world of difference in how it performs.
1. Use an insert/reducer. If you do nothing else I suggest, use a reducer. I prefer the JKC Precision Insert made by my good friend @SgtJKM . The threads on the inside of the dispensing tube on the Chargemaster 1500 and the overall volume can lead to over-charges, especially when using extruded powder. Using an insert/reducer can really help with this issue. A fastfood straw can help, but I prefer something a little more permanent/nicer, plus I've had better results with the JKC Precision Insert.
2. Isolate the Chargemaster from other activity. I know this should go without saying, but if you have the dispenser on your reloading bench and you're seating bullets in a press mounted to that same bench while it is dispensing a charge, you're going to have issues. Either use a loading block OR do like I do and put it on its own table. I use a $30 work table from Harbor Freight and my Chargemaster is the only thing on it.
3. Beware of static. Yep, static. The Chargemaster can and will accumulate static over time. I wipe mine down every session with a used dryer sheet. No need for new, it can actually leave a residue on your pan; a used dryer sheet will reduce problematic static. I'm not certain, but I think in a lot of cases, static is the culprit when you're experiencing scale drift. Use the dryer sheet to wipe down the pan, pan tray, and hopper.
4. Learn how to program your Chargemaster! There is a whole host of settings. The attached document is not mine, I found it online a few years back. The Chargemaster has multiple settings and you can change those settings. Importantly, you can adjust how many grains under target weight it transitions from full speed to high speed, high speed to slow speed, and slow to trickle. The factory settings can make for a SLOW dispensing. I usually reduce these a little, and then tweak as I'm throwing my first few charges of a given powder type, powder lot, and target weight. Save this doc on your phone, screen shot it, print it, whatever, but keep it handy so you know what adjustments to make. It's not hard and I promise you won't break your machine by adjusting those weight/speed settings.
So, these are my tips/tricks and best practices with a Chargemaster 1500. Keep in mind you're expecting an item that usually retails for $250-325 to dispense and accurately weigh to within +/- 1/70,000th of a pound.
To start, the Chargemaster 1500 is a lot of machine for the money. It can also give you a lot of grief as you use it. When I first started with mine it nearly took a rapid flight across my basement and into the foundation wall. Understanding the machine and what causes the grief can make a world of difference in how it performs.
1. Use an insert/reducer. If you do nothing else I suggest, use a reducer. I prefer the JKC Precision Insert made by my good friend @SgtJKM . The threads on the inside of the dispensing tube on the Chargemaster 1500 and the overall volume can lead to over-charges, especially when using extruded powder. Using an insert/reducer can really help with this issue. A fastfood straw can help, but I prefer something a little more permanent/nicer, plus I've had better results with the JKC Precision Insert.
2. Isolate the Chargemaster from other activity. I know this should go without saying, but if you have the dispenser on your reloading bench and you're seating bullets in a press mounted to that same bench while it is dispensing a charge, you're going to have issues. Either use a loading block OR do like I do and put it on its own table. I use a $30 work table from Harbor Freight and my Chargemaster is the only thing on it.
3. Beware of static. Yep, static. The Chargemaster can and will accumulate static over time. I wipe mine down every session with a used dryer sheet. No need for new, it can actually leave a residue on your pan; a used dryer sheet will reduce problematic static. I'm not certain, but I think in a lot of cases, static is the culprit when you're experiencing scale drift. Use the dryer sheet to wipe down the pan, pan tray, and hopper.
4. Learn how to program your Chargemaster! There is a whole host of settings. The attached document is not mine, I found it online a few years back. The Chargemaster has multiple settings and you can change those settings. Importantly, you can adjust how many grains under target weight it transitions from full speed to high speed, high speed to slow speed, and slow to trickle. The factory settings can make for a SLOW dispensing. I usually reduce these a little, and then tweak as I'm throwing my first few charges of a given powder type, powder lot, and target weight. Save this doc on your phone, screen shot it, print it, whatever, but keep it handy so you know what adjustments to make. It's not hard and I promise you won't break your machine by adjusting those weight/speed settings.
So, these are my tips/tricks and best practices with a Chargemaster 1500. Keep in mind you're expecting an item that usually retails for $250-325 to dispense and accurately weigh to within +/- 1/70,000th of a pound.
