[HAUKSBEE]

I'm returning to ceramics after a hiatus and need to re-build a studio from scratch. Can anyone point me to a good source for scales, either beam or digital? Thanks.

[Mudlark]

HAUKSBEE, on 18 April 2010 - 04:07 PM, said:

I'm returning to ceramics after a hiatus and need to re-build a studio from scratch. Can anyone point me to a good source for scales, either beam or digital? Thanks.

I've used an Ohaus triple beam scale for 25 years, it's very good for small quantities when mixing test batches. It measures up to 2.6 kg which means that large amounts need to be split into a number of batches. It is easy to zero out for the weight of containers.
Hope this helps,
Mudlark

[AndyL]

I bought my OHaus triple Beam with Tare on eBay. If you know your prices you can usualy get a good price.

[JBaymore]

Just about every ceramics supplier has triple beam balances and most have digital scales too. If you don't end up selling it.... and take care of it...... a triple beam is pretty much a lifetime investment. I've been using my same OHaus for about 37 years.

Ebay and Google is your friend these days. Shop around.

Remember the potential issue of the resolution of a scale relative to the size of the batches you are weighing.

A triple beam is typically accurate to plus or minus one tenth of a gram. Most cheaper digital scales are something like accurate to plus or minus one to five grams. For a 20,000 gram batch..... a +/- 2 gram digital is just fine for all of the high weight value major ingredients. But if you are mixing test batches of glazes at 100 grams total batch........ with the triple beam you still have 1/2 percent inaccuracy for every individual material you weigh. Significant but certainly tolerable for what we do. With a digital, even one gram off in 100 grams total is 1 %.

best,

..................john

[HAUKSBEE]

Looks like the beam scale gets the votes. I'll look back at Portland Pottery Supply where I just bought everything else. (Obvious choice in hindsight) Thanks all.

[MuddyMomma]

i got my ohaus tripple beam scale w/ tare beam on ebay for under $50 including shipping. not new but balances out and works great. had to buy the weights somewhere else, think i paid around $20 for those.

[terraforma]

I've got a Scalemate Dual Range 500g from American Weigh Scales, and I really like it - very compact, very sensitive and precise, and affordable! The link: americanweigh

[MadMudder]

Allegedly, you should be able to find a triple beam balance scale at a police action. Drug dealers use them.
I've seen them before listed in an auction.
I got mine at Mile High Ceramics at least 20 years ago.
Beth

[JBaymore]

MadMudder, on 21 April 2010 - 02:18 AM, said:

Allegedly, you should be able to find a triple beam balance scale at a police action. Drug dealers use them.
I've seen them before listed in an auction.

"Hi officer. I'd really like that triple beam balance. Looks like it'd work perfect. Can I buy itfrom you? Uhhhhhhhhhh....... it is for legal uses. Honest!"

best,

..................john

[Slipped]

Funny! I think I would feel weird just buying a scale from a police auction too. I recently got an older model ohaus triple beam with the weight set on ebay as well, with shipping was under $60. Works great!

[clay lover]

The local pawn shop had two dial a gram Ohaus today 65 each but no weights, check e-bay.

[SShirley]

If you want a digital scale, and need quantities less than 1000 grams, this is a pretty nice one and really cheap.

http://www.amazon.co...l/dp/B0012P2IFW

I like mine.

Sylvia

[Kelly Savino]

I got mine at a police auction. The evidence number is still on it ;0)

[Marcia Selsor]

HAUKSBEE, on 17 April 2010 - 11:07 PM, said:

I'm returning to ceramics after a hiatus and need to re-build a studio from scratch. Can anyone point me to a good source for scales, either beam or digital? Thanks.

LabX.com has scales on auction regularly.