Looking for info on an OLD Herters beam scale

[dcstaber]

Greetings..

I'm looking for some info on an old herters beam scale. I think its supposed to be oil damped & I'm missing a few parts.

See the pic below....

Does anyone know what the pin is for? Loosening the lock nut & turning the knob moves the pin up & down about 3/16". I assume there is supposed to be pin & paddle in the hole on the balance beam & a cup for oil on the pin in the base.

If anybody can shed any light on the subject it would be appreciated! Maybe someone out there has a manual thats been sitting in a box for 40 years....

 

[NCsmitty]

I still use my Herter's beam scale, but it's more conventional with a paddle and oil trough.
I've not seen one like that, but yes, it looks like an oil dampened plunger, but I'm not sure about the reason for the knob adjustment. The base screws will give you the zero.



NCsmitty

 

[dcstaber]

What does your oil trough & paddle look like? can you snap a picture?

Turning the knob elevates the pin and lifts the knife edge off the body. I think thats a mechanical method intended to stop oscillations as needed...

 

[NCsmitty]

I'm not at my home in NC, and it will be a couple days before I will be able to post a picture of my scale.
It appears that your scale can "park" the beam with the knob, to avoid the knife edge from resting on the points. I just move my beam laterally off it's points, and that's why mine is still accurate after all these years.



NCsmitty

 

[EMC45]

I have a "Texan" oil damped scale. It has the paddle and it is a dark brown crinkle coated number.

 

[GP100man]

Here`s an old Webster with an oil bath.

I think your scales ,after placing powder in pan & it is oscilating ya turn the "bumper" up to stop it then lower it to get true reading.