BECKSON'S
density balance according to Westphal

This balance comes from Fijn-Mechanische Industrie "Becker's Sons N.V." from Brummen, The Netherlands. This scale has the logo and brand name Beckson at the front of the drawer of the wooden storage box. This box also serves as the basis of the balance. its an unequal-arm balance for determining the specific gravity of liquids up to four decimals accurately. Becker's limits this to three decimals. The balance is mounted on top of the wooden box and can be stored in the drawer. The balance includes a set of weight hooks, a thermometer / immersion body according to Reimann, a pair of tweezers, and a cylinder glass. The scale has a lead suspended from a string for leveling. With the two adjustable feet at the front of the box the leveling is performed. The Reimann immersion body is calibrated and displaces 5 grams water. The immersion body also contains a thermometer. My balance is missing a manual. The determination of the specific weight of liquid substances with a balance according to G.Westphal was described in 1870. Friedrich Mohr already did this in 1832 and did it for liquids and solids. A density balance according to Mohr is described here. Balances according to the Westphal System have been supplied by many scales manufacturers for years. There are differences in implementation, the use of Archimedes' law remains the same:
a liquid-immersed object experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by the object. In the Dutch society quarterly magazine Meten & Wegen of September 2003, on pages 2920-2926 is an illuminating article by E.M. van der Ouderaa with the title: Twee balansen van Westphal (Dutch, translated: Two balances of Westphal). In this article instruments for measuring the specific mass of liquids are described, alongside the pycnometer, the aerometer, some hydrometers, the balance of Mohr and the balance of Westphal are described as well and