Counterweight Alignment

A dried twig rested horizontally across the flat rail ledge. One end extended out into empty space. An unstable overhanging beam. I approached the edge. Left hip joint locked. Center of gravity lowered by four millimeters. Near the upright bar, a heavy zinc hex nut lay half-covered in dust. I gripped the hexagonal facet with both hands. Substantial mass. Slowly, I maneuvered the nut along the wood grain and seated it directly over the inner end of the twig. The outer tip lifted two millimeters off the paint, settling into a perfect horizontal equilibrium. I lightly rested my right index finger upon the balance point. Zero deflection. The cantilever is secured.