Need measuring scale for powder chemicals

[tbm]

I need a metric-based scale that I can use to measure powder chemicals I will be using to make several film developers from recipes in Steven Anchell's book. Can anybody solve my problem, which is not being able to find a provider of that device in the U.S. on the Web? Thanks immensely for your help!

Terry

 

[glbeas]

I got mine on Ebay, a used Ohaus balance. Others have gotten small digital scales, some made for powder reloading. You need to be a little more broad in your search parameters, theres a ton of stuff out there.

 

[Jennifer]

Hi,
The scale I have is a RCBS 5-0-5 that is sold for weighing gun powder.
It is calibrated in "grains". 15.432 grains = 1 gram. You can weight very tiny
amounts more accurately than a gram scale. It's limitation is 33 grams. Just have to weight heavy stuff two or three times. They also sell a weight set to check the scale if you are in doubt that it's set correctly. Nice thing is it's mechanical, simple, no electronics to go out of wack.

Jennifer

 

[juan]

I use a digital (oops) postal scale I bought at Office Depot. It only measures whole grams, so I sometimes have to make larger amounts of stock solutions to round up the numbers. For instance, the recipe for Pyrocat-HD calls for .2g phenidone, but the recipe makes only 100ml of stock solution. I make 1-liter of stock solution, which requires 2g of phenidone - easily measured on my scale.

It's not the best solution, but it's rather inexpensive and will work if you think ahead and are careful.
juan

 

[VoidoidRamone]

They sell scales from photographers formulary... here http://www.photoformulary.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=9&CategoryID=48&langID=0 -Grant

 

[KenM]

I'm with Jennifer - in fact, I think I have the same scale. Works fine. But, as she says, if you're measuring large (ish) quantities, you have to do it in multiple batches.

 

[sanking]

I need a metric-based scale that I can use to measure powder chemicals I will be using to make several film developers from recipes in Steven Anchell's book. Can anybody solve my problem, which is not being able to find a provider of that device in the U.S. on the Web? Thanks immensely for your help!

Terry

Try this site. http://www.balances.com/ They typically have some of the best prices anywhere.

A good scale for what you want to do is one that has a maximum capacity of around 500 g, with a reading accuracy of 0.1 g.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I highly recommend www.balances.com. I found a decent compact scale at a good price, and it was shipped quickly (and I also use it for weighing letters and counting pennies using the "parts counter" function).

 

[galyons]

I use a My-Weigh digital. (200g X .1g). Very rarely have I had to split weigh more chems than 200 g. It has survived about 4 years of somewhat frequent use. Seems to be accurate and easy to calibrate. (It came with a 100g Calibration weight.) Easily changes weight mode, grams, ozs, ??? I think that there is a 3rd, but I'm too lazy to walk downstairs and check! It is about the size of a Palm Pilot.

Available from the previously mentioned vendors.

Inexpensive, well built and same batteries for 4 years! It has my continuing vote!
Cheers,
Geary

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

My scale has a capacity of 250 g. Occasionally I need to do more, so I just measure in two parts when necessary (PMK solution B, for instance, is 300g Sodium Metaborate/l, but I don't need to mix it that frequently, since the stock is diluted 1+2+100).

If you plan to make your own fixer or if you need to weigh out plain hypo, definitely go for the larger size (500 or 1000g). For most developers, 250 g seems to take care of most needs.

 

[Shesh]

I have a my-weigh 120 grams capacity, 0.1 g accuracy for around 20$ new via ebay. Works very well for my darkroom needs.

 

[Ed Sukach]

Interesting ... I also use a RCBS Scale - for measuring gunpowder too ... I handload.

I've been thinking of one of the RCBS digital scales ... something like a 1,500 grain capacity with resolution to 0.1 grain - and metric scale selected through the electronics. I'll check one out ... soon.

 

[voceumana]

www.sargentwelch.com sells the Ohaus line.

By the way, in the scientific community, this is called a BALANCE, not a scale. If you're going to buy one, you won't sound scientifically ignorant if you refer to it as a balance.

A "scale" is anything that is graduated by marks, such as a ruler, yardstick, measuring cup, meter stick, etc.

A "balance" balances the force of gravity between what you are measuring and the counter weights. Most balances will be in metric--anymore, only the ones for cooking would be callibrated in avoirdupois (and they call them "scales").

Charlie

 

[Deckled Edge]

I call my Ohaus the "dope scale" because I got it from a police station. They sell off stuff they pick up in raids. I'm sure that some dope sniffing dog would find my scale interesting. I found it very cheap and accurate.

 

[Ed Sukach]

www.sargentwelch.com sells the Ohaus line.

A "scale" is anything that is graduated by marks, such as a ruler, yardstick, measuring cup, meter stick, etc.
A "balance" balances the force of gravity between what you are measuring and the counter weights. Most balances will be in metric--anymore, only the ones for cooking would be callibrated in avoirdupois (and they call them "scales").
Charlie

True - that is why I called the RCBS digital a "Scale".

Handloaders still use avoirdupois ... grains and tenths of a grain are very convenient "notches" ... that is the only place I still think of measurements like that. Milligrams are a shade too coarse; and tenths of a milligranm ... uh ... 100 micrograms?? are a shade too fine.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

I have a MX 200 Pocket Scale which weighs up to 200g in 0.1g increments.

I also have a JS-50x Scale which weighs up to 50g in 0.01g increments.

These two small digital instruments are not balances, they are scales which employ a load cell as the sensor.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'm sure my Toyo 250g pocket scale is sold to more dope dealers than photographers and jewelers.

 

[mikeb_z5]

I own a scale business. We mostly sell large capacity vehicle scales(and we DO call them scales above about a 10 lb capacity) of 200,000lb capacities and up.

We also sell and service small balances. I would recommend Ohaus and AND as the better of the balances mentioned here.

As for calibration of these devices, it is extremely rare to need to calibrate(Maybe 1% of the bablances I test are actually in need of adjustment and those are in extremme heavy use applications)

If anyone here is interested in purchasing an Ohaus or AND balance PM me with the Model # and I can sell it to you for cost +$10us(the $10 will be donated to APUG).

I can accept Paypal payments.

Mike

 

[mikeb_z5]

Oh, my discounts generally run 30% off MSRP +freight of course

Mike

 

[Joe Symchyshyn]

Along these same lines...

I have never mixed formulas from scratch, but I recall reading some information a while back about using teaspoons to measure amounts. Once a volume/weight is figured out, using measuring spoons would make sense.

Is there a list for chemicals used in photography somewhere that might help in this? If I'm not mistaken, doesn't the weight change as the chemicals pick up moisture in the environment?

Thought it might help to mention this,

joe

 

[Louis Nargi]

scale

I use aOhaus triple beam balance, works well, durable, always accurate. Cost 99.00 dollers at the time new.

 

[fhovie]

I work for a scale manufacturer and I get to use my demo stock for free - Sometimes I use an automated batching system that is good to .05g with a capacity of 1kg. (I wrote the program for it) It sure makes it easy to whip out a dozen complete formulas and seal them in plastic bags. It is all industrial grade. The simple scale base and indicator (separate assemblies) would retail for about $1000. They are made here in the U.S. and are stainless steel and very high accuracy - not be confused with asian plastic. So I am spoiled - serious overkill but fun.

 

[mobtown_4x5]

Mettler is the best bar none.
But Ohaus or A&D will be fine for our purposes. I recommend you take Mike up on his offer or the web scale store- you don't want to buy anything marketed as for photagraphers- instant markup!

 

[fhovie]

Mettler is the best bar none.
But Ohaus or A&D will be fine for our purposes. I recommend you take Mike up on his offer or the web scale store- you don't want to buy anything marketed as for photagraphers- instant markup!

Mettler is priced like the best - they are not the best except where they have a specific market niche that they dominate. Generally speaking they are less capable and more money for the average application. Just my $.02