New Scale

[ToniD]

I just ordered a new scale and want to have objects of known weight to test on it every once in a while. Calibration sets, or at least the ones we found on line are way pricey. So what do you all do? Trust that the scale is accurate when you get it and weigh something to use for your own calibration set? Or should you not assume a new scale is accurate?

 

[NancyRogers]

I've heard that you can use coins, but I don't know much about that.

 

[MissMori]

Check Save On Scales. I think they have calibration weights for under $10.00l

 

[Soaplady22]

If I remember right, 5 quarters weigh an ounce. Something like that. You can check with a local bank; they should be able to tell you.

 

[Chris-2010]

A nickle weighs 5 grams.

Also, weigh water,

1 fl oz weighs 1 oz.
1 cup weighs 8 oz.
A pint a pound the world around.
Gallon weighs 8 lbs.

(The density of oils almost always less than the density of water. Its most common for a gallon of most oils to weigh about 7 lbs.)

 

[ToniD]

Thanks for the helpful information, everyone. I googled the weight of coins--apparently that is fairly accurate way to check a scale. The weight per volume of water is consistent also, provided you have a precise measuring cup. So guess what is suggested when you want to figure out if your measuring cup is accurate?

 

[Hazel]

Thanks for the helpful information, everyone. I googled the weight of coins--apparently that is fairly accurate way to check a scale. The weight per volume of water is consistent also, provided you have a precise measuring cup. So guess what is suggested when you want to figure out if your measuring cup is accurate?

I give up - how do you figure out if your measuring cup is accurate?

Also, how would you weigh water if you don't have any accurate weight for the container?

 

[Chris-2010]

If you are not sure of the container's weight, weigh the first amount of water, then double it. The difference between the two is the weight of the water added each time.

But, yeah, just weigh coins or stacks of coins. Find their weights on the internet.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Buy another scale to compare with and to keep as a spare. :wink:

 

[ToniD]

Thanks for the helpful information, everyone. I googled the weight of coins--apparently that is fairly accurate way to check a scale. The weight per volume of water is consistent also, provided you have a precise measuring cup. So guess what is suggested when you want to figure out if your measuring cup is accurate?

I give up - how do you figure out if your measuring cup is accurate?

Also, how would you weigh water if you don't have any accurate weight for the container?

I was reading more on sites I googled--you can use the known weight of water as long as your volume measurements are accurate. So how do you know if they are accurate? Go to another site Find that measuring cups are notoriously inaccurate--you should weigh ingredients to measure accurately. Which is not helpful if one is trying to find out if a scale is accurate.

I began to question my scale, so I took it to my soapmaking friends house and we weighed several items on both our scales. The scales did not agree. Besides that they were off by an inconsistent amount each time. All we could really conclude was that one set of scales did not work.

But as far as knowing the weight of a container when measuring water--if the tare feature works you would not have to know that. But the coin thing seems to work.

 

[Mayren]

Thanks Chris and everyone for the great ideas for calibration items! Great thread.

 

[Hazel]

If you are not sure of the container's weight, weigh the first amount of water, then double it. The difference between the two is the weight of the water added each time.

Doh! Smack my forehead. You'll have to excuse me...I'm a little slow about things.

But as far as knowing the weight of a container when measuring water--if the tare feature works you would not have to know that.

I always use the tare feature. I guess I was trying to figure out how to know if my measuring cups are accurate. I'll have to try the coins to check if my scale is accurate.

Great tip! Thanks everyone.