Fairbanks "Invincible" platform scale

[John Newman, Jr.]

I was recently approached to look at an old platform scale with the hopes of cleaning it up and making it usable again. It looked like it had been on the dirt floor of a barn for many years, but since it was 100 year old cast iron, I couldn't refuse the challenge! According to the Fairbanks Scale web-site, this model was made from 1895 through 1915. Originally painted vermillion (a shade of orange) with nickel plated brass parts. Under the dirt & rust there were traces of orange paint, but I chose to use different colors. The nickel plating was badly pitted & peeling, so I stripped the rest of it off & polished the brass. It looks funny in the picture because of the lighting. I like the way it turned out.
You can read more about antique Fairbanks Scales here:
http://www.fairbanksscales.com/liter...que_Scales.pdf

[Jebaroni]

that is awesome! I'd love to have something like that to weigh bags of cracked corn and such at shows! Someday i'm going to build a gristmill and that would the perfect thing to sit on the counter for weighing bags of cornmeal. Great job! How rare/common are these if one wanted to pick one up?

Jeb

[Frank Martin]

John,

Nice job on your scale. Here's a picture of one that we use in my hardware store, still in its work clothes.

[John Newman, Jr.]

Thank you both!
Jeb -
I have no idea of its value or where you might find another one like it other than at an auction or going-out-of-business sale. This one came from the father of one of the girls that runs the organization that I volunteer with - gatewaygreening.org
Frank -
I saw one like that at an auction when a local landscaping & nursery business closed. Went for more than I was prepared to spend...

[Steve Barr]

John

Thanks for the link. I have most of one of those Railroad Track Beam Scales (like #24, but missing the weights). The one I have came from a school and was used to weigh the incoming coal for the boiler. It should move on to a new home, but where to get the value of it.

Steve

[John Ledbetter]

John, Here is one that I bought at a auction 7 or 8 years ago. I'm not sure, but I think I paid a $100.00. I could not locate the serial number. Where is it located on yours? John

[lannynichols]

I have this scale that i got years ago. What does it go for in this shape.

Craig here: If you send me the image I'll post it for you......

[Bob Barrett]

Hi Lanny, Steve B., Jeb, You all need to get on the web and go to www.isasc.org. If the answers to your questions are anywhere that would be the likely place to get them! That's the site of the International Society of Antique Scale Collectors. My uncle is a member, so I knew they existed. There's someone collecting everything, you just have to find them! After all, look at us!! Bob