In article .com>,
Sheldon > wrote:
>
>Don't know why you would want one other than as a conversation piece,
>but they are readily available.

Where? Mind you, this is a single beam balance with no base, in
which the balance point (knife-edge, pivot, whatever you call it)
rests on the countertop. It's even more efficient than a beam
balance with a base (less moving parts, and less total parts),
lightweight and compact.

>I think for general kitchen use a mechanical dial scale is most
>advantageous. Digital scales are good too but unless you use it
>often you'll still be changing worn batterys and for nothing.

Well, I *did* run across a digital scale that has no batteries;
you simply twist part of it, and that action charges a capacitor
sufficiently to power the unit long enough to tare the scale and
weigh something. Pretty cool concept:

http://www.designboom.com/contest/vi...em_pk=7832&p=1

....but, unfortunately, only a concept at this time. Not for sale.

-A