Saturday, December 9, 2017

Pry scale, part IV, redux

I used the pry scale today: #1-45 lbs; #2-45 lbs; #3-39 lbs.  Afterwords I decided to spiff up the scale a bit.  I took off and shortened the lever and used a router to round the edges.  When I took of the pulley arrangement in order to round the edges of the base, one of the end pieces fell off.  The cutting board, from which the base derived, had been held together with a tongue and groove joint.  I suppose that the pressure from levering was too much for the tongue.  So now, I needed a new base.
Looking around for a plank 6-inches wide, I thought of the old planks from the fence.  Although quite weather worn I was certain one would suffice.
Some sawing, drilling, re-drilling, adjusting, sanding and screwing, et voila!

Note my fine routeing on the lever
This model also works and is a bit lighter. 
THE END
(I hope)

Friday, December 8, 2017

Pry scale, part IV


 I realized that the lifting bars had to be more rigid and figured that attaching an iron strap would do the trick.  But how?  Welding would be the best.  Hmm.  There is a fellow at pickleball player, Gary, who really likes to make things.  I had told him about the pry scale because it is just the sort of thing he likes.  I asked him if he had welding equipment, and, of course, he does.  And he wanted to work on the scale
Gary from a pickleball club photo
I gave him the scale and he returned it today.

A closer view of Gary's work
I had to do some adjusting of the string and then went to try it.
SUCCESS!
I plan to do a little work on the scale, such as rounding the corners and edges, shortening the lever arm and maybe making a handle.
Now to start weekly weighing.