Will This Work???

[cabinetman]

I've got to cut down a Mango tree. It has three branches about 12"-14" in diameter, and about 8'-10' long stemming from a trunk about 32" in diameter.

I want to weigh the lengths that I cut. I'm thinking I could lay a section horizontally, with each end placed on a bathroom scale. If it works, I would like to then weigh a particular section months down the road to see how much moisture it lost (in weight).
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[chopnhack]

I don't think the bathroom scales have that kind of capacity cman. You are talking about hundreds of pounds. Instead you could take a chunk off and weigh it and then extrapolate the rest and repeat. Albeit the smaller chunk will dry faster.

[Uncle Cracker]

Sounds like a lotta work... Maybe you should weigh yourself before and after...

[phrog]

I've done something similar to this by cutting off a small section and weighing it. Then I figure the cubic inches of the section and get the weight per cubic inch. Multiply this by the entire number of cubic inches that are left and you will get the weight for the remaining part. If you're just trying to figure shrinkage, you won't have to figure the totals - just the before and after cutoffs. Unfortunately, in what you're trying to do, you would have to cut off another section each time you weigh it. It will give you a good approximation if you're willing to sacrifice parts.

[Uncle Cracker]

I've done something similar to this by cutting off a small section and weighing it. Then I figure the cubic inches of the section and get the weight per cubic inch. Multiply this by the entire number of cubic inches that are left and you will get the weight for the remaining part. If you're just trying to figure shrinkage, you won't have to figure the totals - just the before and after cutoffs. Unfortunately, in what you're trying to do, you would have to cut off another section each time you weigh it. It will give you a good approximation if you're willing to sacrifice parts.

My ex threatened to do something very similar to this...

[Stytooner]

Take it to a local dock or swamp landing. Use the scales they use for salt water fish or gators.

[cabinetman]

I don't think the bathroom scales have that kind of capacity cman. You are talking about hundreds of pounds. Instead you could take a chunk off and weigh it and then extrapolate the rest and repeat. Albeit the smaller chunk will dry faster.

I think these two scales each have a 300 lb capacity. I doubt the chunks I cut will weigh more than 150 lb to 200 lb.
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[mpc]

Another option is a plain old spring scale - hang it from a tree branch with a chain, then another chain to your cutoff branch. Spring scales aren't very expensive and can be found in all sorts of weight ranges.

Plus you'll be able to hang a much larger chunk of branch this way than you'd fit onto bathroom scales.

mpc

[phi1l]

I calculate that those logs will weigh about 500 lbs. each. So you are getting right up on the high end for a bathroom scale. I think I would just put one (or more) in the back of a pickup truck & weigh the truck, then just leave it there & periodically re-weigh the truck to see how much it weight it has lost.

[Mr__Bill]

Put it in the trailer and take it to a DOT weigh station that is not in use. If like here the scale is still functional. With just the wheels of the trailer on the scale weigh the trailer both with and without the wood.

There is a joke here somewhere.....


but in answer to the original question, if the scales don't bottom out it will work, just add the weights together.


Bill
over here on the big ocean

[phrog]

My ex threatened to do something very similar to this...

That's when you REALLY worry about shrinkage.

[cabinetman]

If you're just trying to figure shrinkage, you won't have to figure the totals - just the before and after cutoffs. Unfortunately, in what you're trying to do, you would have to cut off another section each time you weigh it.

That's when you REALLY worry about shrinkage.

It's not "shrinkage" that I'm figuring. It's a simple principle that when the wood stops losing weight, it's about as dry as it will get.
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[phrog]

It's not "shrinkage" that I'm figuring. It's a simple principle that when the wood stops losing weight, it's about as dry as it will get.
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I misused the word "shrinkage" in the former and should have used the term "moisture loss." In the latter, I actually meant "shrinkage" in responding to UC's joke. Sorry about that.