letter scale from construction kit
This letter scale was bought as a construction kit and is intended for primary school children age ten years and older. According to the instructions the weighing range of this letter scale is 0 - 100 grams. In reality, the 100 grams is just off the scale. The counterweight may be weighted with a metal washer in order to still achieve the 100 grams range. I find it so well enough. The construction manual (in German) is sufficiently clear. The large diameters of the shafts of 4 millimeters result in a strong influence of friction, despite the brass sleeve bearings. Smaller shaft diameters would greatly improve accuracy. before the final assembly paint the wooden parts in the desired color(s). I chose a color scheme according to the Rietveld style. I painted a second specimen plain simple yellow. I made a scale indicating the number of postal stamps: up to 20 grams one stamp, from 20 to 50 grams two stamps, and above 50 grams three stamps. Actually this is limited up to 100 grams, which here falls just outside of the scale. Below some more pictures of this bright colored wooden letter scale and some animations with two Rietveld-birds and the letter scale.
N.B. In Zoetermeer and surroundings this Rietveld bird is better known as the bird of Jinotega. The city Zoetermeer is twinned with the city Jinotega in Nicaragua.
back of the letter scale
