In Search of Mechanical Scales

P.S.

In regards to currency and shipping, I'm in the U.S.A.

Why mechanical?

I was considering the same thing recently, and though i really do have an affinity for mechanical things (wearing an automatic watch at the moment), a balance scale seemed like not such a great idea to me.

It turns out that ebay is lousy with pocket-size .1g digital scales. You can't swing a cat around without hitting one. And it looks as though you can get your pick of the litter for $15ish after shipping.

I didn't see any with an integrated bowl. This shouldn't really be a problem. Use a small paper or plastic cup. Place it on the scale, hit the tare button, and then add whatever you want to weigh to the cup. Scientists use little dishes stamped out of aluminum foil for dry measuring.

You snipped too soon:

I think you'll have a very hard time finding a low cost balance scale that's accurate to .1g

So far, I'm aware of:

1. Lucky 11, 11g max, .01g accuracy, .
2. Deering 10, 10g max, .01g accuracy, .
3. Accugem 7, 7g max, .05g accuracy, .

I don't know if there are others or what the good websites are for purchasing, especially for the Deering.

I think I could go to .25 or maybe even .5, but I don't think they exist.

From

"We get at least one email each day from people claiming to be a "large Chinese scale manufacturer" who offers us incredible deals such as "we can sell you digital pocket scales for $6". However it has been our experience that these scales are honestly and truly - 100% JUNK. As scale enthusiasts, we always ask these companies to send us samples. Around half of the samples usually don't work at all and the other half are often terrible quality...Unfortunately many of these terrible scales are now finding their way onto the internet. EBay and the internet are the only place where these Chinese scales have a chance to actually sell."

If I go digital, I'm tempted by this one because it's small, sturdy, lightweight; IMO, ideal for travel:

I use a simple balance scale made in Germany by Dr. Oetker called Klein-Balkenwaage. I originally bought it to measure Hops in brewing beer. It is good to the nearest gram with a max of 125 grams. It was very cheap at the time. Look in beer brewing and wine making supplies.

Thanks.

Eric Jorgensen20050310105439.12ddb165@wafer3/10/05 12: snipped-for-privacy@xmission.com

Any good three beam scale ought to do it. Get a used one.

"Bluesea" wrote... ...

The My Weigh 200-Z sells for $22.50 at

You're right. If I want portability, the only ones seem to be the Lucky 11, Deering 10, and the Accugem 7 and the small bowls won't be much better at containing my white tea leaves than the measuring spoon I use.

Thanks. I realize that I failed to mention that I want something small and it looks like I'm going to have to go digital for the convenience.

I've narrowed my list down to:

1. The AXE - Pros: smallest, weighs only 1.48 oz/42g, extremely durable. Cons: might be too small, display not backlit, 3-LR44 batteries.

1. 200-Z - Pros: lowest price on my list, large rubber buttons, weighs

1. C-200 - Pros: backlit display, durable, costs less than the Tempest, accessories (that I may never use). Cons: 3-LR44 batteries.

2. Tempest - Pros: backlit display, 2-AAA batteries (I have rechargeables so can use them instead of buying new), accessories (that I may never use). Cons: No mention of durability, highest priced on my list, hinge may interfere with other holding containers. If it wasn't for the AAAs, it wouldn't be on my list.

Right now, my decision depends on how much I hate to buy batteries (in this regard, the Tempest would win), how much I want a backlit display (if not backlit, the AXE or 200-Z would win), and size and weight (the AXE would win). I've got other items that don't have backlit displays and I wish they did, so there's a strong prejudice to eliminate the AXE and 200-Z.

It's good to have another source. Thanks.

My cyclometer eats LR44's, needs a new set every 18 months or so. They're about $2.50 for a 3-pack at wallyworld (or $6/ea at radioshack).

"Bluesea" ... ...

How about the new RECHARGEABLE My Weigh PalmScale 6.0, 250g x 0.1g

I eliminated it early due to size and weight - one or more of the websites I've been checking (scalemagazine, myweigh - but it wasn't myweigh, oldwillknott, rightonscales, saveonscales) said that 5.0 weighs 5.1 oz - I set my limit at 3 oz - and when you add the bulk and weight of 6.0's docking station...

One of the things I'm anticipating is extended travel and I don't want to schlep too much around. For a USA/Canada road trip by car, it would be okay, but for a European Grand Tour by air, train, ferry, bus, etc., no.

I'm on the verge of eliminating the AXE 200. The weighing platform is actually longer than the others - about 1/2" longer than the 200-Z, but it has a hard case which weight is undetermined. I suspect it would bring the schlepping weight close to or over the 72g/2.54 oz of the 200-Z that costs considerably less. Is the durability worth the greater price? I dunno.