need beam balance advice

[tcr1146]

I need beam balance powder scale advice. A few years ago I got caught up in the 10/10 euphoria and got rid of an old Redding beam balance that swung freely right to the end. To be honest, it was more accurate than the new fancy 1010 which is dampened and quickly comes to a stop. Can someone recommend what I need? I am not sure if the magnetic dampeners is what causes this new one to stop so quickly or what, but I can weigh more accurately watching the beam swing equal distances without the influence of the dampeners stopping it so quickly! Thanks, Tom

 

[tcr1146]

Never mind! I got my answer. All I need is the hydraulic dampened version and just don't use the oil! Tom

 

[JohnKielly]

You should be able to pull the magnets out of the 1010 you have.

 

[tcr1146]

I wondered about that! I will check! Thank you sir! Tom

 

[tcr1146]

I looked at the 1010 Ohaus and I could not figure out where the magnets are and certainly not sure how to remove them?! Tom

 

[JohnKielly]

Must admit I was basing that on my older 505 in which case I screwed out the levelling wheel, undid the PH screw holding the metal gizmo in place & the magnets were attached to that. That's how I remembered it, looking at the bugger now. Seems I can see a corner of them, buy I'm too lazy to go find a screwdriver to prove it, though.

 

[amlevin]

Why not just take the "Paddle" off the beam and then remove extra weight from the pan base to balance it. If you don't have enough adjustment weight, a turn of thin solder in the area where the paddle was removed will do the trick.

FWIW, if your beam stops quick, check for small slivers of metal that might be held on the magnet(s).

If anyone has used steel wool nearby those fine pieces travel on the air currents and stick to the magnets and are buggers to remove. I use the sticky side of duct tale to remove them.

 

[tcr1146]

John: I looked again and figured out where they were. Interesting design on this 10-5 Ohaus. The magnets are inside the housing that is near the end of the beam (pointer end). There are two magnets opposing each other. Anyway, I only removed one and now it is dampened without stopping it too quickly! Thanks, Tom

 

[ireload2]

There is nothing wrong with your scale.
Once the beam quits moving the dampening magnets have ZERO effect on the location of the beam.
The dampening blade is NON magnetic and depends on induced fields when the beam is swinging.
If you want a scale that swings freely get one of those pitiful Lee scales with the razor blade edge.