# I need to weigh staging truss, where would I look? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 1, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450 "2012-02-01T19:10:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450/1 "2012-02-01T19:10:49Z")
We put up stages for concerts. We want to get our specs together, starting with weighing our component pieces. Who would have scales open to the public? I have been doing preliminary searches in Google and the Yellow Pages, not sure where to focus. Scrap scales usually just weigh your truck with/without the load, that wouldn’t work. Thanks for your help. I am the clerical support person, I am not a tech or engineer. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450/2 "2012-02-01T19:30:45Z")
Why don’t the scrap scales do the job for you? ETA: What’s the weight range? You can weigh large things with multiple bathroom scales. ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450/3 "2012-02-01T20:05:23Z")
Thanks for your suggestions. My boss wants to come away with a weight certificate. I will check at the scrap yards to see if they will weigh individual items. We also thought maybe a freight company might do it for us. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450/4 "2012-02-01T20:18:59Z")
Call local shipping companies. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450/5 "2012-02-01T20:20:51Z")
> [@maladroit](#): > > Thanks for your suggestions. My boss wants to come away with a weight certificate. I will check at the scrap yards to see if they will weigh individual items. We also thought maybe a freight company might do it for us. Call your local FedEx, UPS, or airport, see if they’ll let you use one of their scales. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450/6 "2012-02-01T20:30:54Z")
I’ve worked in warehouses that had some pretty big scales. I think it’s possible that an auto shop might have something like that, too. What kind of a weight range are we talking about? My reaction is 100-500 pounds, but I know that there are some really huge piece of truss out there that might weigh even more. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450/7 "2012-02-01T20:31:03Z")
Who built your truss? Both Thomas and Tomcat can provide you with a full set of specs for every piece of truss they build, including corner blocks and custom curved pieces. Just give them a call. ETA: Any reputable truss and/or rigging manufacturer should do this. ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450/8 "2012-02-13T19:24:26Z")
Sorry I left this thread hanging. We’re on the phone now with a guy up the street that may be able to do this for us. I’ll come back when I know. Thank you all for your replies. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-weigh-staging-truss-where-would-i-look/611450/9 "2012-02-13T19:26:34Z")
If worst comes to worst, find a truck scale. Weigh truck with truss. Remove truss, weigh truck again. Subtract.