not all postal scales are the same , dont believe me buy one then weigh something then take to the post office and have it weighed ill bet you good money your scale is wrong....try it....those dang things are never accurate..........
Which is why I usually round up, sometimes generously, from whatever weight my cheapo postal scale shows... Before the USPS went to Zoned Everything this wasn't that incrementally expensive, with the exception of going over 13 ounces which used to put you into Priority Mail from First Class before there were workarounds introduced via third parties like Pirate Ship (disclaimer: I use them). Now, with Zoned Everything, it can get a bit non-trivally more expensive to ship something that weighs that extra ounce.
I thought use of uncoupling magnets were on the way out due to unwanted uncoupling caused by the yoyo effect of MT couplers when they occurred over a magnet. I don't use the uncoupling magnets so I can't say if my tire weights are attracted to the magnets. I didn't think the magnetic field was that strong.
I've used taconite pellets that I've collected along the rail line grade crossing near where I live. They are free and are actual railroad cargo that spilled out of ore cars. I use an old triple beam balance discarded from where I work to weigh cars to the recommended weight.
Sidney, Pirate Ship still uses USPS as an option. They are an entry into commercial pricing-- lower than retail-- for USPS and other carriers. I use it to get cheaper rates and to be able to just print out and attach labels here vs. waiting on line at the Post Office. (If it's a high value package I still wait on line to make sure that a live person gets it and scans it in.)
If you think that is more difficult try this ....... Germany has essentially isolated itself from foreign small business through a licence and fees for the packaging of items sent to Germany. https://lucid.verpackungsregister.org To save you a long read my very small business would have to pay 75 Euros minimum per year just to post things wrapped in paper or cardboard to Germany. Even 1 item weighing 1 ounce requires the licence. I had wondered why I had no buyers from Germany but I now believe buyers were frightened of paying for something, then their package gets returned to me and they have to get their money back. Initially I blamed excessive "green" motives but upon looking at it I think it's more protectionist policies for manufacturing industries. I'll stick with trading with the USA, UK and New Zealand thanks.
Hi I picked up a good accurate scale on ebay for $10 free shipping. Goes up to about 5 pounds, but has gram accuracy. Reproducible weights too. I reworked about 60 cars to NMRA weight standards.
Seems to be a theme here of the scales at the post office coming in at a higher weight.... am I the only one that sees a conspiracy here? Back to weighting cars, here is my stock of BB's for use. As noted, steel with a copper coating. It's a heavier than it looks but does have the easy pour top. You may notice some that are not copper coated, those came from a different source but it was easier to pour them in this container to consolidate containers. It was commented before in the tread about the attraction to under track magnets. I have not paid attention to that but will have to see. I do know that the under track magnets really like metal wheel sets, If the train is going slow enough the magnets will stop it for sure so I suspect I may find similar type results with cars that need a good bit of weight added.
I use tiny lead buck shot. They are way smaller than your typical .177 BBs. I'm not sure if they still make them in lead but I have a 25 lb bag that I purchased decades ago that will last me a life time.
I have bird shot which is definitely lead and when I need ballast I mix it with blue tac. In fact I keep a big wad ready to go for whatever. I do warm up the blue-tac first to body temp so it sticks better. I've also mixed the bird shot with epoxy if I know for sure the ballast will be permanent.
I don't know how I have neglected to comment thusly with respect to BBs this far into the thread... "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"
Sooo... who remembers the book "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash"?? Jean Shepard's book from back when I was in HS.
Ya got me curious. I weighed 10 modern pennies (post 1983, 2.50 g per), on two scales. Pretty sure both came from Amazon at <$15. The kitchen scale, which has no digit after the decimal for grams, read 25g. The layout scale read 25.1g. Some of the pennies may be rather grungy.
If you want to spend a bit more, get a scale for reloading ammunition. These are also gram/ounce, but also weigh in grains. There are 7,000 grains in a pound, and they are a lot more reliable, since they are designed to weigh gunpowder for reloading ammunition.
Good thought, thanks! I have an old scale I used for reloading and didn't think of using it. I got a small scale at Harbor Freight for about $15 similar to the one suggested. It seems to be consistent so far and even though it may not be "accurate" for shipping I am not using it for that. If I use it to add weight to all my cars they may be off slightly from standard, but they will all be as close to the same weight as I need them to be.
I do. My friend Rick (not Barstow Rick) and I were big Jean Shepherd fans. We listened to his radio show from the mid to late 60s to the early 70s.
