Scale Calibration Weights Question

SD_Stack

SD_Stack

Former J.R. 1am Monitor
Joined
Jul 6, 2003
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How far off the topic of cigars can you get? Well, I'll try! :D

Who works in a lab or knows anything about scales/balances?

I have an 800 gram sensitive to 0.01 grams. I need some weights to calibrate it.
This is a high end top-loading professional lab scale. $1000+ in cost.

I will be working with Grains instead of Grams. It does grains to 0.1. I will be weighing between 4 - 10 grains. For those that don't know, there are 15.43 grains in a gram. Therefore the Gram equivalent will be 0.26 to 0.65.

I will never need this scale for anything larger where accuracy really matters. If I weigh something that is 100 grains and it is off a little, it won't matter.

Should I worry about the scale being calibrate linearly or just calibrate it at the level that I will be using it? It may calibrate both ends of the spectrum by calibrating one end. I don't know.

I don't know if the flexures in the balance or still true. (the flexures bend as weight is added to the pan which changes the resistance) One or more may need replacing. I don't know that either.

I used to program and calibrate scales like this several years ago for the textile industry. I would take a regular Ohaus scale and reprogram the chip to do yarn measures. Sliver, Roving, skeins of yarn in grains per square yard/square meter etc. This would be real easy to do with the tools and resources I had back then but now, I am on my own. I guess I could go back to them but we charged $150 an hour to do this type of thing and I only gave 20 bucks for the scale! :p

I really need a set of weights but they are real expensive too! Do any of you know what the different classes mean and within what tolerance of weight I should choose? I could buy a 10mg and a 1g weight and calibrate the low end and forget about the 800g high end. What do you think?

Also, anyone have any weights available cheap?
 
I saw those sets at other sites but I don't know if they are as accurate as I want them to be. They never mention tolerances. The tolerances probably won't matter much but I usually try to go overboard with things so I will probably get one of the higher quality sets.
 
I saw those sets at other sites but I don't know if they are as accurate as I want them to be. They never mention tolerances. The tolerances probably won't matter much but I usually try to go overboard with things so I will probably get one of the higher quality sets.
 
moki said:
I'll be tactful and not ask you which narcotic you're weighing ;)
Click to expand...
Thanks for respecting my privacy moki. You are a true gentleman! :thumbs:
 
Cal the range you will be working in. You should be able to gain more accuracy in a limited range compared to the full range. Can't help you with the weights.
 
I used to work in Calibration.
You need Calibration weights.. they are super accurate and are used for calibrating scales..
You can find them at a calibration supply place.. they are quite spendy though
 
Wascal said:
Just what you're looking for. :thumbs:

Click here
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That might just do it Wascal. Decent price and I feel more comfortable using Ohaus weights than an off brand or a re-labeled brand. I wish I knew what the tolerances were on these.

Thanks
 
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