Scales!

[Afshimo]

I was just thinking, what scales do people use and prefer? Reason?

I use electronic scales from argos, but yes, not so good! I have a better pair that I got of a mate giving up falconry, they are dead good, cork block top, bout 12" accross and weighs upto 11lb. I still find though, they topple with the bigger birds like ferrugs who sit on one side, the bottem needs to be heavier lol.

Who uses balance scales? Electronic scales?

What top do people use? Block top, with cork/astroturf? Wooden T perch, or wrapped with rope or astroturf?

This isnt for the "best scale known to mankind" more like what works best for you, why and as a guide for beginners wanting a half decent scale!

What happens when you have a big eagle to weight? What happens when you have a little merlin to weight? what scales would you say;s better for the 2 extreams?

Do you have any particular probs with your scale? Does it tip? What would you change about your scale?

I saw a scale before on ebay, that goes up to 1lb 2 or 3, thats for the little birds, and you can see exactly as it is the needle/balance kinda thing, looked good for ppl with spars and merlin and the hybrid perlin.

Lots of q's lol!!

[Ben C]

Hello Hannah,

I have a set of ancient balance scale I nicked from the clay department. I removed the tray and attached a hollow fibreglass tube covered in astro turf. Inside the tube I placed some weights to balance out the scales perfectly. They seem to be very accurate, and they are impossible to mess up (which is good for me).

I have often wondered if the falconers of yesteryear used stones or some other 'fixed' weight in one hand and then picked up the hawk in the other? If scales didn't exist then this is a method I would probably use (if I could get the conditioning right). So monday Cody weighs 4 big stones and 3 little ones, Tuesday 6 big stones, no flight today. :) :)

So the bottom line is I like my balance scales best. :) :)

[OutFlying]

Hannah,
The best scales to get either electronic or mechanical balance are ones designed for commercial use. They are made to more exacting standards and easily adjustable for calibration. If maintained correctly will be accurate and will repeat the same weight constantly. If you wanted a scale to weigh every possible hawk, falcon or eagle then an Avery electronic scale as used in a butchers etc will do the job well - weighing in 1/8 oz divisions. You just need to make a perch to sit on top of the plate, different perches for the different hawks.

OF.

[Mary Quite Contrary]

I have just got hold off a super set.

Same as the ones used in shops for weighing the boiled sweets or veg.
It even has the price codes and pence on it.

It has been newly calibrated and has a nice plastic Tperch.
I use a electronic version when on the move.

[Goldie]

I use the Ohaus Triple Beam scales, accurate to 1/10th gram for all the birds except the eagle. For him I use a set of mechanical balance scales.
Both have T-Perch arrangements.

[Goldie]

I have often wondered if the falconers of yesteryear used stones or some other 'fixed' weight in one hand and then picked up the hawk in the other? :)

Centuries ago, although people had methods of weighing objects, falconers of the day flew their birds by condition, sharpness of keel, performance and response. Not a difficult thing to do with HH and RT etc but a different proposition with accipiters and falcons

[Ben C]

So they did have scales then.:) :)...I assumed it was before balance scales that they did this, why I thought that I've no idea, but my logic is always weird.

I understood about conditioning and have tried it with Cody, but it is not something I have done accurately for a happy day in the field. Was this use of 'conditioning' taught or would junior apprentices use scales or stones or other methods??

[Goldie]

prior to the time when birds would actually be weighed, I would have assumed it was done by trial and error originally. If it ******ed off it was too high and if it popped it clogs on a cold winter night, it was probably too low. Remember that these "Falconers" were taking from the wild and the loss of a bird wasn't a monetary issue although I suppose the family might go hungry if the falconer wasn't bringing home supper!. They would learn from their mistakes in exactly the same way we do today, and the information would be shared and passed on to next generation.
A medieval falconry forum :lol: F.O.S Falconers of Sherwood

[Cyclone]

i use electric scales with a wooden t perch which weighs up to 6lb-heavy enough for any bird ill be handling!
cyclone

[Falconry Equipment International]

Avery balance scales every time, ( as others , ie OF etc have said,) commercial scales solid as well so of a hawk bates , the scales will not fall over etc . Goldie those triple beam scales mate, now I know why your avatar is Goldie, & all along I thought it was because you were into " Aquila chrysaetos" :rolleyes: :lol: :lol:

[M & J Raptors]

Just pick the ****ing thing up, if it bates away, too high, if it steps up, off you go hawking, :lol:

[Falconry Equipment International]

:lol: :lol: :rolleyes: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Goldie]

Goldie those triple beam scales mate, now I know why your avatar is Goldie, & all along I thought it was because you were into " Aquila chrysaetos" :rolleyes: :lol: :lol:

:finga: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Julian, the wonderful world of ebay :lol: £30 a couple of years ago, still waiting to be charged with the theft 8)

[Finnish]

Has anyone seen the pics of Of scales on a diffrent thread they look very good.

[Falconry Equipment International]

Has anyone seen the pics of Of scales on a diffrent thread they look very good.
which ones lee?

[Finnish]

Have a look at the bottom of the page.

http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4493&start=195

Im sure OF will tel us more about them.

[LanczSpringer]

I am just getting all my gear together for my new hawk ( if i can find one! any one know of any male HH??)

My mentor found these at a local auction and though of me! £10 and they work a treat.
Weigh a bloody ton though bird shouldnt move them if it bates.
They weigh up to 1 kg (2lbs)

I just need to make a T perch for them

[Finnish]

They look good mate. Iam going to try and get some like that.

[OutFlying]

I am just getting all my gear together for my new hawk ( if i can find one! any one know of any male HH??)

My mentor found these at a local auction and though of me! £10 and they work a treat.
Weigh a bloody ton though bird shouldnt move them if it bates.
They weigh up to 1 kg (2lbs)

I just need to make a T perch for them


I know someone with 2005 harris hawks (located in Lancashire), pm if interested.

Jim.

[Finnish]

(located in Lancashire),

Right on your door step what more could you ask for.

[Shaun Byrne]

Those scales are ok Lancz but dont get a female harris, they only weigh up to 2lb :D

[Osiris]

( if i can find one! any one know of any male HH??)

There is a guy in Newcaslte that breeds them......but not sure if he will still have any. I can PM you his number if you want....?
If not i will ask my friend to ask her friends throughout the country...

[Wilfred]

I think I might have the best scales in the world for falconry...at least for sparrowhawk and all the falcons this scale is really perfect!

I mean the scales of Lenders falconry equipment, the Netherlands.
This falconer has a lot of good products. The hoods are made for and shipped to the middle east. His gauntlets are well appreciated by many falconers. And then the scales..electronic ones with some good surface for the bird of prey. You can see an image of them on the website of mr. lenders. And order if you want.

www.falconry-equipment.com

[Coedhirion]

2 sets of Argos cheapest electronic, with T perch made from paint rollers. Keep changing the batts. often and they always check out identical weight. Fix em down 2 a chunk of ply 2 stop them tipping over. About £40 for the pair!!! Have got a big set of heavy balance type with the nice brass weights, but find them fidly and in the end they more or less say same as the cheap ones, but find i cant work out the 8th of oz with them very well. So I also have a selection of coins for extra smaller weights and its a bit of a fuss. Argos every time!!

[Falconer]

T perch made from paint rollers.

Ya got pic't of this never heard of this being used before lol