HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE

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WEIGHING AND BALANCE

SCALES

~ D I Y~

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How to Make a Homemade

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Weighing Scale

Make a homemade weighing scale.

A weighing scale is used to measure the weight of an object. A
homemade scale will not be as precise as an expensive digital
scale, but it can give you a fairly accurate reading. The scales presented in this tutorial
will measure the unknown weight of small items against the known weight of another item
-- in this case, coins.

Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things Youll Need:
Light cardboard
Scissors
Ruler

Glue
Pencil
Coins

Step 1
Cut out two 3-by-3 inch squares of cardboard. These will be the trays to hold the items
being weighed and the counterweight. Each square must be of equal size.
Step 2
Place one square on each end of the ruler. Use the side of the ruler with measurements
displayed. Line the squares up evenly and glue in place. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly.
Step 3
Place the ruler on top of the pencil. Use the measurement markings on the ruler to ensure
the pencil is directly in the middle. Balance the ruler on the pencil. If one side is heavier,
trim the cardboard until the scales are balanced.
Step 4
Place a coin one on tray and the item you're weighing on the other. Calculate the weight
by placing coins on one end until the scales balance. Once the scales are balanced, the
weight of the object is equal to the weight of the coins.
Step 5
Achieve a specific weight by using a coin or coins equal to the amount of weight you need.
Multiply the weight of the coin by 6 inches. Divide this figure by 5. The quotient will tell
you where to place the coin on the ruler. If you use a nickel, your answer would be 4.8 and
you would place the coin on the 4.8 inch mark on the ruler.
Step 6
Add the substance to the tray on the other side of the ruler until the scale is balanced.
Now you have 5 g (or whatever weight you used) of the substance. Use this method to
weigh herbs, spices, powders, or any other lightweight item you need to measure.

How to Make a Balance Scale

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The balance is the oldest kind of scale. Other scales require sophisticated spring
mechanisms to work, but the balance works on much simpler principles. By
comparing an unknown object to known weights, you can come up with a precise
weight for any object.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things Youll Need:
Nail
Woods
Pencils
Eyebolts
Saw

Glue
String
Toy buckets
Scissors
Saw

Step 1
Get a thin rectangular piece of wood. Balance it on a pencil or on your finger. Use
another pencil to make a line at the spot where it balances exactly.
Step 2
Put a nail through the line so that it goes straight through the beam. It should be
long enough to extend at least an inch on either side. Put a dab of glue on either
side of the nail to stop it from moving in the hole.
Step 3
Screw an eyebolt into the end of each side of the beam. Make sure that both
eyebolts are screwed in all the way.
Step 4
Get two small plastic pails with handles on them.
Step 5
Cut two short pieces of string of the same length. Tie the pails onto the eyebolts.
You now have your scale assembled.
Step 6
Make a stand. Cut a groove in the tops of two boards. Mount them on another
board so that they are parallel. Set the nail in the grooves so that the buckets hang
free.
Step 7
Use the scale. Put what you want to weigh in one side. Add weights to the other
sides until the weights equalize.