New Torsion Balance triples the speed of lab weighings

FUSSING WITH slide weights of conventional general-purpose lab balances is a thing of the past. The new Torsion Dial Balance replaces the graduated beam and slide weight with an ingenious graduated dial that can be turned without arresting the balance. Result: the time-consuming part of weighing (i.e., below 1 gram) is “dialed-in,” and in 1/3 the time. Oil damping minimizes oscillation, expedites speed. To make a weighing on the Dial Balance, you place the sample on the left-hand pan; add the proper amount of gram weights to the right-hand pan; turn the graduated dial until the beam balances.

Total up the gram weights and the “dialed” weight—and that’s that. (The design and construction of the dial is so rugged that the Torsion Balance Company places an unconditional guarantee on the accuracy of the entire dial mechanism; in accelerated tests, the dial retained its original accuracy after more than a million weighings.) Capacity is 120 grams; sensibility reciprocal, 10 milligrams (10 mg moves the rest point one index division).

The balance is housed in a sturdy metal case, 11 1/2″ x 6″ x 8 1/4″, finished in handsome corrosion-resistant gray enamel. The 2 3/4″ -high hinged cover, with glass front and top, gives ample room for the balance to function with the cover closed and a 100-g weight on the pan. A knob on the case front controls the positive-acting, non-corroding beam arrest. Pans are polished stainless steel, 3 1/8″ diameter. The balance is supplied with easily-adjusted leveling screws but without balance weights.

Delivery: immediate. Price: $175.