it cost over $500 to weigh the plane

$500 to weigh your plane? Yikes!

You need to cultivate a relationship with your local EAA chapter.

Those guys usually have scales, which they will usually part with for a few
hours in exchange for a reasonable "fee".

Like a case of good beer, or a fine bottle of Scotch... ;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"