How to Make a Balance Scale at Home

Build your own balance scales at home.

Balance scales feature two cups, bowls or trays suspended on either side of a tilting arm. Weights placed on either side of the scale will make the scale arm tilt to one side or balance perfectly. While science kits and supply stores sell variations of these scales, you can make some at home in a pinch. Use them for home science projects or for measuring out food items while cooking.

Things You'll Need

• Wire hanger
• Wire nips
• Medicine measuring cups
• Needle-nosed pliers
• Banana hanger

Instructions

1. Nip the center of your hanger's straight bottom side. Bend the two sides of the wire down so they point at the floor.

2. Measure around the top of each medicine cup. They should measure about 5 inches. Grip each cut wire 5 inches from the cut and bend it up slightly. Make bends like this ½ inch apart until you reach the end. Grip the end and pull it up to meet the first bend, creating a circle.

3. Bend the circles so they're parallel with the floor. Slip one medicine cup into each circle; the medicine cups should sit perfectly level in the wire circles.

4. Hang the hook of your hanger on your banana hook. These hooks normally hold bananas up off of the counter so they don't get bruised. They're perfectly balanced to hold heavy bunches and work well for fast, homemade balance scales.

References

• Alysion: Make Your Own Mass Balance Scale
• Campsite 24: Balance Scale
• Common Law: Origins of the Lady of Justice