Sounds like the object pivot and possibly history may be causing what you are describing. Both are easily fixed.
1. Select "edit>delete>all by type>history" // This will remove the history on the base
Select the base then
2. Select "modify/center pivot" // This centers the object pivot
This should fix your scaling problem. Also, note that the // symbols and the text following are comments.
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Isaac Newton, 1675
Last edited by ctbram; 14-01-2011 at 10:47 PM.