Scales are used primarily in ceramics to measure ingredients for
glazes. The main issue with scales is how accurate they
are. When you are making large batches, or when weighing
ingredients that are a large percentage of the total glaze, being within
a few grams accuracy is fine. But when weight small batches for
tests, or ingredients that are a small percentage of the total glaze,
accuracy is more important. For example, a colorant like Cobalt is
often added as less than 1% of the glaze. So being off by 1 gram
can make a big difference to your glaze results.
Therefore, the requirement is to have good accuracy (0.1g) at low
weights, and not so much is required at higher weights
(1-2g.)
Triple beam scales have traditionally been used in ceramics
because it can measure small weights at high accuracy (.1g) but can also
measure higher amounts (up to 2610g with the optional weight set).
Digital (or electronic) scales are increasing in popularity. With digital scales however, you usually have to get
two: one very accurate for measuring small amounts, and one that
can measure heavier weights but with less accuracy. (Note: You can
get digital scales which can do both but they are extremely
expensive.) So a popular combination is one scale that measures
200-300g up to .1g accuracy, and one scale that measures 2000-5000g but
to 1 or 2g accuracy. You can probably get away with just the smaller
scale if you only mix up glazes in small batches. Or you can
probably get away with just the larger scale if you only mix up glazes in
large batches. Digital scales require batteries.
