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Step 1
Calibrate your triple beam balance prior to using it, or all measurements will be skewed. Set all three weights (called poises) to their zero position. Adjust the calibration knob under the pan until the measurement needle reads exactly zero.
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Step 2
Weigh the empty container before weighing your target object if you are using a container. This is called obtaining the "tare weight." Place the empty container on the balance and determine its weight using the below steps. Record this weight, then repeat the below steps with the target object in the container.
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Step 3
Familiarize yourself with the beams and poises. Each beam adds leverage in different amounts. The middle beam can be adjusted in 100g increments and the rear beam can be adjusted in 10g increments. Each of these two poises can only be positioned in various notches cut in the beams. The last poise, riding on the front beam, can be moved to any point along the beam. This front poise is used to precisely zero in on the exact weight and can be adjusted from 0g to 10g.
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Step 4
Place the object you wish to weigh on the pan. Try and center the object on the pan as best you can. Next, slide the poises along the beams until the measurement needle reads zero. Start with the middle beam and find the point where you cannot move the poise another notch without the measurement needle crossing over zero to the other side. Continue this process with the far beam's poise, and finally the front beam. When the measurement needle reads zero, you are ready to read the balance.
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Step 5
Record the weights of all three poises. For the middle and rear beams, simply read the weights listed at the notches the poises are positioned in. The front beam has a scale printed on it which is graduated in 0.1g increments. If the poise is in between increments, estimate the exact value as best you can.
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Step 6
Add up the weights of the poises to get your object weight. If the middle poise is in the notch marked 200g, the rear poise is in the notch marked 50g and the front poise is about halfway between 2.3g and 2.4g, your total weight is 252.35g. If you used a container to hold your object, subtract the tare weight obtained in Step 2 from the weight of the container and object. The result will be the weight of just the object.
