RE: Scale for measuring grams

[Judy Seigel <jseigel@panix.com>]

On Tue, 28 Aug 2001, Nick Frazier wrote:

> Someone suggested the reloading scales... I use a RCBS all the time. It is
> accurate to 1/10 of a grain, and yes it measures in grains (15.4 grains to a
> gram). It also levels quickly thanks to a neat little magnetic induction
> plate. The drawbacks are that it only has a capacity of about 25 grams and,
> again, you have to convert your target weight to grains.
>
> My model 505 goes on ebay for around $15.


Unless you have had the foresight to live in the midwest and get to the
proper auction, or somehow stumble on a druglord's fire sale, I doubt
you'll find a decent O'Haus scale for less than $90 or so. You should eat
oatmeal for a month if you have to, but get it. Or one of the other good
scales in the sources recommended by David Vestal, Artcraft, and
Post-Factory (eg, www.balances.com).

In our line of work a decent accurate quality scale is a basic essential
tool, & one thing less to worry about in a world of supplies that are
always pulling tricks or tripping us up one way or another. I myself
prefer analog scales -- mine are 25 years old, as good as new, will
outlast me, and are easy to check, balance and read. No battery to fail,
no chip to go bad at the worst moment. I understand however that there are
now good digital scales that do special tricks should you feel up to it.

The scale in rice grains etc. can be a charming class project or demo, but
that or any make-do in the studio is another juggling (literally) act when
we already have too many.

Although I would dearly love a scale accurate to fraction of a grain, cost
at the other end of one that only measures 25 g is too great.  None of our
processes really need such extremely fine strokes, & should you want to
mix up 200 cc of ammonium dichromate, for instance, you need to weigh 52
grams. I guess you could do this or other in 3 or so parts, but that's
more handling of chemicals, more chances for error, and of course 3 times
the time.

As we say, just my 2 grams...

Judy