Scale Leveling Question

[Richard Jones]

Never noticed it before, but the bubble level on my BE scale doesn't correspond to the platform being level. Quite a bit of difference. My gut says go with the platform, but I'm asking the question.

Thanks.

Rich

 

[hunter243sgk]

Being in the construction trades I have used more levels than I can count.And for some reason the bubble levels will stop working. I have heard a few things causes it but I am not sure. I would just buy another bubble and replace the one that is not working. You can get the round or oblong ones a home improvement stores cheap enough.

 

[Richard Jones]

The question is:

Is the bubble level on the scale somehow attached to the load cells or is it just attached to the frame?

If it's just attached to the frame, then leveling the platform seems viable.

Rotating the platform can change the level, so perhaps it should have a witness mark......

Or, does any of it matter, as long as whatever being weighed doesn't roll off the platform.... Since all loads are vertical, it makes sense that the platform should be as level as possible, but I have no experience or data to support that.

 

['Freak]

Yes “level” matters, level front to back as much as level left to right. It’s a load centers thang.

 

[fguffey]

I have two Starrett 12" machinist levels, I level the bench/table and then the scale. The machinist level measures .001" per foot, when leveling I use a note pad, I just turn the page, that reminds me of an old Bob Seeger song.

F. Guffey

 

[Steve Ladino]

I have two Starrett 12" machinist levels, I level the bench/table and then the scale. The machinist level measures .001" per foot, when leveling I use a note pad, I just turn the page, that reminds me of an old Bob Seeger song.

F. Guffey

I have seen that it matters on my bathroom scales too.

 

[fguffey]

I have seen that it matters on my bathroom scales too.

I have 2 old platform scales with wheels, I believe it could have been necessary to lever the old scales before the axles got rusty and then there are the old hanging scales, they were self leveling.

F. Guffey

 

[Berger.Fan222]

If the deviation from level is small, and if you calibrate the scale in the same position in which it is used, it won't matter much.

Changing the degree of level between calibration and use introduces the largest errors.

 

[Richard Jones]

Yes “level” matters, level front to back as much as level left to right. It’s a load centers thang.

Level what? The scale frame or the platform? They do not coindicate.

 

[Webster]

Never noticed it before, but the bubble level on my BE scale doesn't correspond to the platform being level. Quite a bit of difference. My gut says go with the platform, but I'm asking the question.

Thanks.

Rich

With zero weights on the scale I would think the beam is always level. Just adjust the level so the scale pointer is at zero. The beam is always at zero it doesn't know where the frame is.

 

[Richard Jones]

With zero weights on the scale I would think the beam is always level. Just adjust the level so the scale pointer is at zero. The beam is always at zero it doesn't know where the frame is.

This is a digital scale.

 

[jds holler]

I just turn the page, that reminds me of an old Bob Seeger song.

F. Guffey

I just make sure my platform is solid -- "Like a rock". jd

 

[jerseyjoe]

I made a platform out of 6in by 12in by 1/2in thick aluminum plate. (A flat piece of wood will work, also).

I drilled and tapped 3 holes, 2 on opposite corners on one end and one in the middle on the other end .

I then use the bolts to level in both directions.

When I place my Lyman M5 on it, I usually don't need to readjust the zero more than a tiny fraction of a turn of the scale's leveling screw, if at all.

 

[Richard Jones]

I made a platform out of 6in by 12in by 1/2in thick aluminum plate. (A flat piece of wood will work, also).

I drilled and tapped 3 holes, 2 on opposite corners on one end and one in the middle on the other end .

I then use the bolts to level in both directions.

When I place my Lyman M5 on it, I usually don't need to readjust the zero more than a tiny fraction of a turn of the scale's leveling screw, if at all.

This is a digital scale.

 

[jerseyjoe]

This is a digital scale.

That's why I posted how to make a leveling platform for any scale, mine just happens to be a beam scale..

 

[Medic505]

This is a digital scale.

Rich, is this a digital scale you're asking about? Sorry I had to ask. The bubble on my A&D is very slow to move and a little bit goes a long way! I would be inclined to level the plate. What brand is BE?

 

[bloc]

Forgive my stupidity . . . but if you adjust your "zero" using check weights, what difference does perfect horizontality make?

 

[jds holler]

Yeah I'd kind a like to see what the degree of error or inconsistency would be from such a minute change in level.

 

[Richard Jones]

That's why I posted how to make a leveling platform for any scale, mine just happens to be a beam scale..

This is a Bale Eagle digital scale. It lives on a granite surface plate that remains in one location.

Still trying to determine what to level......

 

[Twoboxer]

I guess I'd put a level on the plate and see if it reads level when the scale's built in level says it's level.

Then, if the plate can rotate, I'd check whether it remains level as the plate is rotated through 4 quadrants. If all those match up, you can use the built in level in the future.

If not, you probably want to get the plate level and (if it is rotatable) keep the plate in that orientation from calibration through use.

Seems simple enough, so I must not understand the problem lol.