Hey everyone, this week we showcase something that anyone who have been inside the Malt Shop at FantomWorks has seen. This is one of the pieces from our “museum” that has not quite made it upstairs to the “museum”. As the “museum” is still under construction, we have decided to post some of the displays here. Once this area is completed the “museum” will display some more of the antiques and collectibles that Dan has acquired over the years, during the weekly shop tours.
This is a early 1900’s Horizontal Barrel Scale Style #144 from the Computing Scale Company out of Dayton, Ohio. This one was probably produced between 1905 and 1910, as the last Patent date was in 1904. The ornate brass, glass and cast iron scale would have been used for computing weight and price cost in a mercantile or general country store during the beginning of the 20th century. Our model, S/N 334514, still works and only shows its age in the missing flakes of paint around its base and by the discoloration of the paper barrel used to as its display. The beautiful brass plates are all engraved accenting the glass viewing ports on either side of the computing barrel. For those not familiar with the Computing Scale Co., later known as the Dayton Scale Company, they built and marketed the first computing scale in 1891. In 1911, they were part of the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company before becoming a division of IBM in 1933. Not long after the Dayton Scale Division was sold to the Hobart Manufacturing Company when IBM decided to stop marketing scales to retail stores.
So if you are ever in Norfolk, VA on Monday, Wednesday or Friday at 3pm and have the time for a tour, stop by and check out this and some of the other examples of Americana Dan has collected.
How is it coming along? Love the sound of the museum! Are you Fantom Works, that we watch on tv doing the car restorations?
WOW, That is a dandy scale !! That would sure weigh a lot of sausage and smokies !!
All you need is a turn of the century hand crank Von Berkle Meat Slicer and you can open up a butcher shop !!
That is a beautiful piece and something to be proud of !!
Happy Trails,
Red
Can someone help me find the serial or model number on my computing co scale? It’s an old barrel style. Just need to be pointed in the right direction before I start tossing it around searching. Thanks.
I have not found one on ours, but I don’t dare try and flip it over to look underneath. Ours does have a style number on the back.
I did restore a barrel scale last year for a friend and if I remember, the serial and/or model number may be behind the small glass , either on the front or rear of the barrel. There may also be a number under a small plate either on the front or rear of the barrel. But you shouldn’t have to turn it over to look at the bottom, don’t think anything is there. You may also find some numbers inside either of the side covers of the barrel.
Hi Dan,
I was sorry to hear of the end of the TV series of the shop. I am a car guy and watch the “car channels” as my main entertainment.
Fantomworks is my favourite in this regard with the quality of work and the straight up approach when you take on the projects. I have been on both ends of car business quality work from rip off to excellent, and watching your team and the way you do the projects is refreshing. It is the right way to do things.
I will look forward to your emails, and I am grateful for the past TV series as I would never have heard of you otherwise here in Canada. Best of luck going forward and if I ever get to your neck of the woods, I will come by for a tour for sure.
Your Shop is outstanding, The 64 GTO was amassing work. That was one of the hardest jobs done perfect. Of all the shows on MS – your show is the best.
May come out from Colorado in late April and stop by. So said to here of the production coming to a standstill this year. But I understand the pressures you and your employees had to endure with 14 directors don’t even own a pair of pliers or a wrench
Dan, we sure think alike because we believe in old school tech! American engineering was something to behold starting from the mid nineteenth through the early 20th century! I wish you good luck with your museum & since there won’t be a “next season” with the show, I hope it won’t be too much trouble to keep us in the loop through YouTube. Otherwise, I’ll have to take my next vacation to see your shop & maybe you’d let me volunteer to help the shop out a day or two… maybe to run parts. You & the crew have become a part of my household! My wife won’t watch car shows but when you’re on, she’ll watch because I think she likes your honesty as I do!
Regards,
William
Dan,
Of all the car shows you always provided the customer with the most honest advice. Your builds were practically amazing at times considering the condition of the cars presented to your crew. Your show will be sorely missed by many fans. We are actively planning a trip for the tour. God Bless and keep your family safe.
Noticed your Model 144 scale, I just restored one for a friend. His was complete, except for the glass table/plate. I would like to ask you the size and thickness of the glass on your scale? I don’t know the thickness or the diameter, I think the thickness maybe 3/8” and the diameter about 14”. I thought the glass is also tempered?
I would appreciate your expertise so I can order the proper glass.
Thank you
Doug
I am not 100% sure ours is original but the diameter is 15 7/8 inches across and 1/4 inch thick. I am not sure if it is tempered or plate as there are no markings and the edges seem to be smoothed. Hope this helps.
Hi mate, I have one complete with the original plate. However mine is made of marble I believe.
The dimensions are as stated by Web Developer…1/4 inch thick.
I am in Australia and my grand father had it in his General store around 1900.
I am happy it has been saved and in totally original condition.
US engineering made it all the way over here.
Nicholas.
Hi, I have just been given one .. it was in rustic condition but I have cleaned it up beautifully. Am wondering the value of these 1905 scales complete in working condition?? Many thanks, Suzi