A scale ... for what ?

Richard G · 5th June 2014, 11:27 AM

Fernando, like yourself, I'm only speculating, but if the counterweight can be moved further out from the fulcrum, and held there by placing the washer against the bar then you could weigh ounces, grams, or whatever. For example if you were to put an ounce weight in the tray, then adjust the counterweight until it is in equilibrium you would know anything subsequently put in the tray weighs an ounce. .This may have been useful to persuade customers etc, they were not being fiddled. Similarly, say for 100 grms
Initially, I thought these had a "western" look about them but now I'm not so sure. I can't see any reason why they should not be for weighing gold, but I presume could also have been used for other relatively high value materials, pearls, cosmetics, perfumes, spices, drugs (!), even tobacco etc.
Regards
Richard

fernando · 5th June 2014, 12:41 PM

Thank you again, Richard
I peefectly understand what you mean; quite simple and ingenious, revealing a wide functionality to this device.
However, the counterweight shaft is not threaded and the 'ball' is not so tightly secured, in that, once slightly moved out it falls off, not standing the minimum adjustment. So it either suffers from wear or the explanation would be another one.
Still i appreciate your reasoning.

Marcus den toom · 5th June 2014, 01:15 PM

Hi Fernando,

This interesting item kept me thinking and after reading your last post i thoughed about someting. The ball can be taken out (shaft and all)?
Maybe there used to be more than one ball with shaft of different weights?
There is enough room in the box left for other weights as well.

fernando · 5th June 2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus den toom

Hi Fernando,

This interesting item kept me thinking and after reading your last post i thoughed about someting. The ball can be taken out (shaft and all)?
Maybe there used to be more than one ball with shaft of different weights?
There is enough room in the box left for other weights as well.

The counterweight shaft is not removeable, Marcus; it belongs in the scale arm.
The shaft length is precisely that to lodge the present ball ... no less, no more.

5th June 2014, 11:27 AM	#1
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 415	Fernando, like yourself, I'm only speculating, but if the counterweight can be moved further out from the fulcrum, and held there by placing the washer against the bar then you could weigh ounces, grams, or whatever. For example if you were to put an ounce weight in the tray, then adjust the counterweight until it is in equilibrium you would know anything subsequently put in the tray weighs an ounce. .This may have been useful to persuade customers etc, they were not being fiddled. Similarly, say for 100 grms Initially, I thought these had a "western" look about them but now I'm not so sure. I can't see any reason why they should not be for weighing gold, but I presume could also have been used for other relatively high value materials, pearls, cosmetics, perfumes, spices, drugs (!), even tobacco etc. Regards Richard Last edited by Richard G; 5th June 2014 at 11:45 AM.

5th June 2014, 12:41 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you again, Richard I peefectly understand what you mean; quite simple and ingenious, revealing a wide functionality to this device. However, the counterweight shaft is not threaded and the 'ball' is not so tightly secured, in that, once slightly moved out it falls off, not standing the minimum adjustment. So it either suffers from wear or the explanation would be another one. Still i appreciate your reasoning.

5th June 2014, 01:15 PM	#3
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 535	Hi Fernando, This interesting item kept me thinking and after reading your last post i thoughed about someting. The ball can be taken out (shaft and all)? Maybe there used to be more than one ball with shaft of different weights? There is enough room in the box left for other weights as well.