Holy Grail of beam scales

[sparker]

Just finished making this one right

 

[CJ6]

So what liquid are you using for dampening?

 

[joshb]

So what liquid are you using for dampening?

Looks like rubber cement.
Interesting scale. Is there a good story behind it?

 

[Fuj]

I ran across one sold back in the day by Herters. It was used with
3 in One mineral oil. I think you could add or subtract paddles for
dampening.

 

[JFrank]

@sparker
Are those kernels of powder that I see all over that desk ? lol

 

[SD guy]

Looks like the prometheus may be obsolete.

 

[sparker]

So what liquid are you using for dampening?

The scale came without the reservoir. I found a vitamin bottle that fit it perfectly. I’m using 20 weight motor oil for dampening fluid. I may try 30 weight if I get bored.

 

[sparker]

The repeatability thus far I’ve not seen equaled by any previous scale.

 

[Edd]

The scale came without the reservoir. I found a vitamin bottle that fit it perfectly. I’m using 20 weight motor oil for dampening fluid. I may try 30 weight if I get bored.

I would try Glycerin.

 

[sparker]

With the 20 weight, each kernel is clearly visible. It settles completely in 6 seconds.

 

[Bc'z]

How do you adjust target weight?
I'm not seeing graduation on the poise

 

[sparker]

How do you adjust target weight?
I'm not seeing graduation on the poise

you use calibration weights to zero the beam to the correct weight. The large counter poise gets you close. The brass wheel at the left end of the beam will get you to the kernel.

 

[centerlineseal]

That is one COOL scale!

 

[sparker]

That is one COOL scale!

Thank you. I’ve been looking for one of these for a few years anyhow. The beam in this one is in fine shape. The base is good. It is a beautiful design that will not have any linearity issues ever! A wonderful display of gravity and angular momentum. I couldn’t be happier.

 

[centerlineseal]

Thank you. I’ve been looking for one of these for a few years anyhow. The beam in this one is in fine shape. The base is good. It is a beautiful design that will not have any linearity issues ever! A wonderful display of gravity and angular momentum. I couldn’t be happier.

That thing reminds me of surveying a shaft from surface to tunnel depth. We dropped two plumb-bobs 30 feet apart and hung the bobs in barrels of motor oil to get them to stabilize. Then we shot the two vertical lines to establish a bearing at tunnel depth.

All pre-digital, ... just like your beautiful antique!

Yet, accurate to within 6" at two miles. (But boy, was that stressful!)

 

[sparker]

That thing reminds me of surveying a shaft from surface to tunnel depth. We dropped two plumb-bobs 30 feet apart and hung the bobs in barrels of motor oil to get them to stabilize. Then we shot the two vertical lines to establish a bearing at tunnel depth.

All pre-digital, ... just like your beautiful antique!

Yet, accurate to within 6" at two miles. (But boy, was that stressful!)

Good stuff!

 

[sparker]

Why hydraulically dampened scales fell out of favor, I’ll never know.

 

[muleystalker]

I saw a couple of those for sale on EBAY 5-6 years ago, if I remember correctly the reservoir was bigger at the bottom like a bell, made from metal and finished in the same crinkle paint.

 

[Fire Dog]

Sort of puts my old Redding oil dampened scale to shame…
Had to take it out of the box and tell it “There, There, it's all right, I still love you…”

 

[dbaird]

For sale?