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Using Euro coins as weights (2004)

Here is a cheap way to obtain a set of standard weights, for measuring weights up to about 100 gram, to an accuracy of about 0.5 gram : Use the coins of the currency of your country. Thus one can make use of the fact that these coins are fabricated in mass production, and because of that have not only a constant shape and size, but also a constant and accurately fixed weight.

(*) One cheap and quick way to construct things for weighing to up to 0.5 gram accuracy with the Euro coins is as follows: 1. Use a very simple home-made scales, i.e. a balance, simply consisting of a straight rod suspended exactly in the middle, with hanging from each end a 'plate' (or 'pan') on which to place the object to be weighed and the standard weights. With them, by placing them both at the left and at the right side in the scales, one can measure to a resolution of 5 g. The, relatively expensive, 25 g weight is not really strictly necessary, but I've added it for convenience.

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