scale to weigh rockets

[lmerdan]

So I'm looking for a scale to weigh my various rockets to better gauge what chute to put in them. Does anyone have a decent recommendation for a one size fits all scale to handle something like the Semroc Defender up to Sheri's Redstone?

I have a Redstone waiting to be built, and once I coat it with paint based lead :chuckle: , I need to figure out the weight to size the chutes properly. I do not want to lose or break that rocket when finished.

Thanks,
Lyle

[Bob Kaplow]

So I'm looking for a scale to weigh my various rockets to better gauge what chute to put in them. Does anyone have a decent recommendation for a one size fits all scale to handle something like the Semroc Defender up to Sheri's Redstone?

I have a Redstone waiting to be built, and once I coat it with paint based lead :chuckle: , I need to figure out the weight to size the chutes properly. I do not want to lose or break that rocket when finished.

Thanks,
Lyle

One size will never fit all. I currently have 5, and still need at least one more. In the order I got them

Triple Beam balance for fine resolution up to the old model rocket limits: 0-610g /.1g

Pocket postal scale that I use to weigh balsa in the hobby shop before I buy it: 0-100g / 1g

Kitchen scale with tray / scoop for dry ingredients. I hacked the scoop with a rotary tool so it's got a 4" diameter for weighing LMR and small HPR: 0-4500g / 50g

Baby scale - once Rachel outgrew it, it was mine. It has nicely shaped guards to prevent a baby or 8" HPR model from rolling off the sides. 0-11000g / 100g

Pocket sized digital scale - it's faster than the triple beam balance up to its capacity: 0-500g / .1g Since I got this, on sale at Harbor Freight for something like $10-15, I rarely use the triple beam balance.

What I still need is a scale that can weigh really small / light objects. Something with .01g resolution or better. And if you do really big HPR, the next step would be a standard electronic bathroom scale. We have one of those, but it's not in my workshop. Yet.

[tbzep]

Bob competes, so his needs are above the average modeler. Most of us don't need to go to the 1/100 gram. :p

If all you are wanting to do is measure regular LPR models for chute size or motor selection, a plain old postal scale will work fine. I have a digital one that measures to the tenth of an ounce, and up to 10 pounds. Mechanical ones are probably cheaper, most I've seen go to 5 pounds.

If you are into the lower end of HPR, a digital fish scale might come in handy. I've never maxed mine, and can't remember where it tops out...25 lbs??? It weighs to the oz. I've had it for at least 20 years and it still has the original battery in it. I bet it wasn't made in China. :eek:

[Shreadvector]

Wal-Mart.

Cooking/kitchen gadget aisle.

Digital scale - includes free battery.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10098024

The online scales do not match what I bought a few years ago, but they may be similar to what is currently in the store. Mine weighs up to 5-something pounds and displays 2 gram or 1/8 ounce increments. It came with a 9 volt battery that I have yet to replace and a tray that I never used. I paid $29-somthing plus tax for mine, so they may have less expensive models now. "Roll-back"

[Rocket Doctor]

So I'm looking for a scale to weigh my various rockets to better gauge what chute to put in them. Does anyone have a decent recommendation for a one size fits all scale to handle something like the Semroc Defender up to Sheri's Redstone?

I have a Redstone waiting to be built, and once I coat it with paint based lead :chuckle: , I need to figure out the weight to size the chutes properly. I do not want to lose or break that rocket when finished.

Thanks,
Lyle

Try this sight

Edmund's Scientific's

SCIENTIFICS

www.scientificsonline.com

1-800-818-4955

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Northern Tool & Equipment

www.NorthernTool.com

1-800-556-7885

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You can also purchase a nice little postal scale from the Postal service for around $35.00

www.usps.com

Good luck with your search

RD

[El Cheapo]

I use This scale (http://www.escali.com/Primo.html) from Target. It was like $25. Works well. Might not be 100% accurate for the money but I'm sure it's close.

[Bob Kaplow]

Here's a link to the Harbor Freight scale I bought a couple years back. I've seen virtually the same item with other names on it at places including American Science and Surplus.

(note: I originally said it was good to 100g, but I just double checked and it goes all the way up to 500g, which really does obsolete the much more expensive triple beam balance.)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/93500-93599/93543.gif

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93543

[snuggles]

I use a scale that my wife uses for Weight Watchers.
Works really slick......
The wife doesn't know I use it for rockets....
Don't tell her OK???
Mark T

[lmerdan]

Thanks for all the tips everyone.

[snaquin]

I use a Pelouze postal scale I bought a few years ago at Office Depot. Mostly use it for weighing parts for items not in my RockSim database or completed rockets under 5lbs. I think it cost me about $30

It's digital and reads in ounces and grams and I bought it because I used to get strange looks when I walked into the post office to use the scale there with a rocket tucked under my arm.

:)

.

[tbzep]

I use a Pelouze postal scale I bought a few years ago at Office Depot. Mostly use it for weighing parts for items not in my RockSim database or completed rockets under 5lbs. I think it cost me about $30

It's digital and reads in ounces and grams and I bought it because I used to get strange looks when I walked into the post office to use the scale there with a rocket tucked under my arm.

:)

.

I would have given you a strange look too. :eek: Well, I'd be trying to see what model you'd built anyway. :p

[mike_bar]

I got a digital scale from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/). It can weigh items up to 11 pounds.

Cen-Tech Digital Scale (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95364)
Item 95364-0VGA
$19.99


I noticed the scale has a calibration function. Has anyone calibrated their scale, or just use as-is?

Thanks,
Mike

[tbzep]

I got a digital scale from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/). It can weigh items up to 11 pounds.

Cen-Tech Digital Scale (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95364)
Item 95364-0VGA
$19.99


I noticed the scale has a calibration function. Has anyone calibrated their scale, or just use as-is?

Thanks,
Mike

It's probably a button to just zero out the reading. I use that when weighing odd stuff that can't be laid on the scale directly. Put cup on scale, zero out, pour in stuff to be weighed.

[mojo1986]

I got this nice little 'Starfrit' scale at Canadian Tire. Regular price $29.97 CAN, so about $24 US. But Canadian Tire is great for its loss leader sales, and the day I bought this one I got it for $9.97 CAN, or about $8 US. Measures in metric or Imperial units. I use metric, and here it's weighing my mighty Saturn V (in at a scant 31 g). You can actually track the glue drying! This little scale has a minimum of 1 g and a maximum of 5 KG (11 LB) which is great for anything I'm doing in rocketry.

Joe

[sandman]

I got this nice little 'Starfrit' scale at Canadian Tire. Regular price $29.97 CAN, so about $24 US. But Canadian Tire is great for its loss leader sales, and the day I bought this one I got it for $9.97 CAN, or about $8 US. Measures in metric or Imperial units. I use metric, and here it's weighing my mighty Saturn V (in at a scant 31 g). You can actually track the glue drying! This little scale has a minimum of 1 g and a maximum of 5 KG (11 LB) which is great for anything I'm doing in rocketry.

Joe

That just might be worth a trip across the Blue Water Bridge!

I have to add $3 US for the bridge toll. :(

[mojo1986]

That just might be worth a trip across the Blue Water Bridge!

I have to add $3 US for the bridge toll. :(

You might want to consider one of the ones the other guys posted..............the one I got is back up to $29.97 at Canadian Tire. :(

Joe

[sandman]

You might want to consider one of the ones the other guys posted..............the one I got is back up to $29.97 at Canadian Tire. :(

Joe


OK...Nevermind. :rolleyes:

[mike_bar]

It's probably a button to just zero out the reading. I use that when weighing odd stuff that can't be laid on the scale directly. Put cup on scale, zero out, pour in stuff to be weighed.

Yes, the Cen-Tech digital scale has a 'Tare' function to zero the scale for use with a container or wrapper.

I was asking whether anyone has calibrated their scale or just used as-is.

The digital scale I purchased has a calibration function. The scale is calibrated by starting the calibration function with no item on the scale, then add a (standard) 5.5 pound weight and set this reading. Finally you add a second 5.5 weight and set this new reading in the scale. The scale is now calibrated.

It's a question of accuracy. If you scale reads 387 grams, how do you know what the object really weighs?

Maybe I am anal-retentive about this. They all look like great scales and will work well for our hobby use.

Regards,
Mike