another beam scale question

For the old reliable, fluid dampening type, I just use any ordinary oil. With real thin oil, it will take a while to settle down, but a thicker oil, maybe something like automotive 10 would be about right.
It's been so long since I put oil in mine, that I forget what is in there.
 
I have a Redding Model 1 which uses the oil well with a paddle as a damper. It works really well (except during transport), as you can adjust the damping by changing the viscosity of the oil. Heavier means slower response and possible stiction effect. Lighter means more accuracy due to reduced stiction, but can take a long time to dampen out. My current oil is 5W30 motor oil. A few years ago I put some STP in with the oil thinking it would speed the damping some. Mistake -- it was like glue, and I went back to straight 5W30.
 
Modified redding scale

I modified my Old redding scale to be magnetically dampen, works like a hot damn.

Basically took a rare earth magnet and hot glued it to the cast iron indicator end and soldered a small copper strip to the pointer end of the beam so the copper strip (which hangs down) can pass close by the magnet. Then re-zero the scale with the counter weights at the pan end and your done.

Have to make sure the magnet is not too close to the beam as my beam does show some magnetic properties even though it's brass and will throw off the weight measurment, and don't us any material that has any magnetic attraction (hence copper strip used) . After I was done I checked the scale against some reference weights and it is exactly the same as before but it stops after 2 oscillations (max) now.
 
Thanks for all the replies. May try oil, but I'm looking for a non-smelly solution. Magnetic damping may be fine too.

My scale has cast iron base with a big P on it and a blue crinkle plastic finish.
Don't know what make it is- bought it used at the HACS show in Bby last
Sunday.
 
zippy_the_wonder_chimp said:
Thanks for all the replies. May try oil, but I'm looking for a non-smelly solution. Magnetic damping may be fine too.

My scale has cast iron base with a big P on it and a blue crinkle plastic finish.
Don't know what make it is- bought it used at the HACS show in Bby last
Sunday.
Click to expand...

I never notice any smell from the motor oil I use. I think an oil damper is the best in adjustable damping, while maintaining the ultimate accuracy and freedom from stiction. I checked mine with government approved weights and measures test weights. It was off less than 0.05 grains. I can't read the scale any finer.
 
junkdude said:
I modified my Old redding scale to be magnetically dampen, works like a hot damn.

Basically took a rare earth magnet and hot glued it to the cast iron indicator end and soldered a small copper strip to the pointer end of the beam so the copper strip (which hangs down) can pass close by the magnet. Then re-zero the scale with the counter weights at the pan end and your done.

Have to make sure the magnet is not too close to the beam as my beam does show some magnetic properties even though it's brass and will throw off the weight measurment, and don't us any material that has any magnetic attraction (hence copper strip used) . After I was done I checked the scale against some reference weights and it is exactly the same as before but it stops after 2 oscillations (max) now.
Click to expand...


This sure sounds like trying to re-invent the wheel.
As has been pointed out, fluid dampening is likely the best and most accurate way to steady the little beam scale.
One would need a great immagination, if he thought he could smell a tablespoon of automotive oil, from working level.
 
In the original post I stated that my reloading bench is in the room where I sleep. Even if I can't smell it when I'm awake, I don't want to be breathing in trace amounts of petroleum product when I sleep whether it has any effect on me physically or not.


zip
 
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zippy_the_wonder_chimp said:
Thanks for all the replies. May try oil, but I'm looking for a non-smelly solution. Magnetic damping may be fine too.

My scale has cast iron base with a big P on it and a blue crinkle plastic finish.
Don't know what make it is- bought it used at the HACS show in Bby last
Sunday.
Click to expand...

That might be an old Pacific scale, very similar to the Redding.
I use hydraulic jack oil in my Redding, but whatever you do DO NOT use Castor oil or sperm from a Nubian Goat.
I have it from good authority that both are somewhat smelly.... :eek:
 
H4831 said:
This sure sounds like trying to re-invent the wheel.
As has been pointed out, fluid dampening is likely the best and most accurate way to steady the little beam scale.
One would need a great immagination, if he thought he could smell a tablespoon of automotive oil, from working level.
Click to expand...

You would be surprised how quickly a magnetically dampened scale with a strong magnet settles out. No loss of accuracy (checked with pharmacist reference weights) and zero mess when put away, not re-inventing the wheel, just moving from wooden spoked wagon wheels to rubber racing slicks. Can we really conclude one method is better than the other? same end result just different principles of physics being applied.
 
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