Torsion balance style 254

Im looking for someone who can explain how a torsion balance company style 254 works. Sorry if this isnt the right place, im new here. Thank you

 

Could you post a photo or two of it? I won't be able to help, but several other people will probably know. But not if they can't see the item about which you are asking.

And, welcome to Antiquers!

 

My question has to do with the lack of a needle to measure that gauge in the middle. Some models(253) have a little arm with a needle that points at that gauge. But my 254, and so far 5 examples ive found on the internet, dont have that needle. I assumed a part was missing, but every other one i found on the internet is just like mine, no needle. No way to tell if the scale is balanced. Im stumped

 

Certainly seems like the needle went AWOL. Is there a patent number on it?

 

Look at that plate in the center for a number:

 

Style 254, No 110475

 

I cant figure out how to post from my gallery, but if u google "torsion balance scale style 254" u can find other examples of my scale, one particularly on a website called worthpoint, that has a good picture of the scale, and theres is the same, no needle. The ones with a needle have that gauge off to one side of the large smooth metal in the center, while mine and others ive found have that gauge in the center, and have no needle pointing at it. I even found an old advertisement that shows the same thing, no needle. So i dont think it is missing anything, but i cant figure out how it would be used without it.

 

I did see the other examples. I even did the screen capture from one. If the advertisement doesn’t show the needle, that changes everything. Can you send a link to that?

 

I still dont quite know how to link things on this forum but if u google "torsion balance scale advertising postcard ebay" it should pop up.

 

Its a slightly earlier model, but u can see the gauge in the middle and the absence of any kind of needle to interact with that gauge

 

Also, while on ebay look up torsion balance scale style 354, and theres another example of one like mine without any kind of needle. That one also doesnt seem to be missing any parts, has the gauge in the middle, etc.

 

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Maybe @springfld.arsenal has knowledge of this type of balance

 

I sent him a message, thanks. Is there a way i can forward this whole post to them, so they can see the pictures, etc?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144012330922 model 253, very similar, showing a needle. Yours is obviously missing a needle of some sort. Why would they just have that gauge piece sitting there for no reason.

 

Yeah i saw that one. But if u look up style 254 on worthpoint ull see one without a needle. And theres an old advertisement on ebay for a 251 that also shows no needle. If ull notice the 253 has the gauge on the back edge, while the needleless ones have the gauge in the center. So far ive found 5 examples of either 254 or very similar ones with no needle or any other way of measuring the balance. I dont know how to link on here, but google "torsion balance company style 254 worthpoint" for a couple examples and "torsion balance company postcard advertisement ebay" for the old ad.

 

Yes, I've seen them all. Again, why would it just have a gauge plate sitting there for no purpose? And why would it be different than every other similar type of unit out there that has a needle? It's a simple scale, not something worth spending hours fretting over. If they've sold in the past without the needle, then sell yours just the same, if that's your goal. If you plan on using it. Good luck.

 

I dont know why the gauge is the way it is, or why the 254 is different, thats what im trying to learn. But there is a difference. No example of the 254, 251, or 354 show any kind of needle, so either everybodies missing the same part(and was advertised without that part) or it works in a different way. Learning is half the reason i like old things. But thanks for the tips, hopefully ill get some of that good luck

 

Spring will see the tag so he will be directed to this thread.

 

If the needle is held onto that center piece with set screws, it entirely possible that there’s an inherent risk of them loosening up and the assembly falling off.

the postcard is odd since it doesn’t show the needle. I guess it’s possible that it just looks better without the piece on there. Just A WAG