Anyone use a digital pocket scale or digital caliper?

CoinHusker · February 6, 2008 10:30PM

They look like great little tools to add to ones numismatic resources. Anyone have one or the other or both? How do you like it?

BTW, has anyone done a search for these on eBay? Not one listing that says "Free" shipping actually has it. Once you open the auction the s/h fees range anywhere from $10 to $20.

rgCoinGuy · February 6, 2008 10:35PM

Yep, I will find a link for a good little company for you, they still send me emails. Mine is is JS-600V, it wasn't too expensive, the only thing I don't like about my particular one is the gram reading only goes to the .* reading, so for example on a trade dollar, instead of 27.22, I get a reading of 27.2 grams. I will post the company name as soon as I find it...

rgCoinGuy · February 6, 2008 10:42PM

Here is the company I got mine from, mine was about 30 bucks, it works good for postage and to give you a close idea if your coin is the right weight, but if I was buying another one I would make sure the gram scale goes out at least two decimals. RightonScales

notwilight · February 6, 2008 10:49PM

I have a cheap digital scale that a friend gave me that works great. I say cheap because that's how he described it and wouldn't take anything for it. Easily fits in your pocket.

As for calipers, I would be very careful putting steel calipers next to copper or silver coins. Sharp edges will scratch. Unless you need extreme accuracy, I'd use a plastic caliper which is pretty good (and cheap). Otherwise, i have a set of micrometers I might use but still you'll need a stand to put the coin on so you have two hands for the mic. Holding coin in one hand and measuring tool in other will eventually lead to a scratch. --Jerry

crispy · February 6, 2008 10:56PM

I have a digital scale and an analog caliper. The scale is a DigiWeigh 100g with .01g graduations. It weighs grams, ounces, carats & grains. The caliper is an Empire that measures down to .01". These are a few of the many things that you may not have call to use everyday but when you need one, it's nice to have them.

ricko · February 6, 2008 10:57PM

American Weigh Scales, inc., Model HP-501.... this will serve all your needs. Cheers, RickO

crispy · February 6, 2008 10:59PM

<< <i>As for calipers, I would be very careful putting steel calipers next to copper or silver coins. Sharp edges will scratch. Unless you need extreme accuracy, I'd use a plastic caliper which is pretty good (and cheap). >>

Good point Jerry. Mine just happens to be plastic, but I hadn't even thought of that concern.

CoinHusker · February 6, 2008 11:07PM

Thanks guys!

AUandAG · February 7, 2008 12:29AM

I have both and have found fakes, before I bought, that saved me the money the micrometer and scale cost.
I always weigh and measure raw gold. I have a cheat sheet in my reference book so that I don't have to
look up every coin in the books each time. I only got mine because I didn't know enough about gold when
I was buying collections and got burned a few times with "NOT GENUINE" coins. I've also used them on all
raw trade dollars and have found three of those fakes too (however, they were pretty obvious fakes).
bob

EagleEye · February 7, 2008 12:34AM

A scale is very important.

I just used it yesterday and found that most 1858 patterns weight 72 grains, but one thinner J-202 weighed only 70. It is very important to use weight along with die states to try and determine any striking order.

I also have a magnifier with a scale for measuring distances on the coin. This is useful as well.

LanLord · February 7, 2008 12:37AM

I have a scale, it goes to .1 grams and I wish it was one or more increments more sensitive. It would be worth an extra 50 or 100 bucks for that.

I also would recommend a caliper if you are interested in classic coins. I have been looking for a good one recently but have not purchased yet.

I do know cladiator uses one for all those little weird coins he likes to look at

I would imagine it can be very useful on helping to determine authenticity on raw coins.

RichieURich · February 7, 2008 12:38AM

Yes, I have a scale I got from an eBay seller which is "US BALANCE US-NANO" that is 3" x 1.5" x 0.5". It measures in ounces, grams, grains, and carats. Very handy and I think it cost around $22 incl. postage.

richardshipp · February 7, 2008 12:55AM

Thanks for the info Ricko....

I just went and purchased one... better late than never as I sure could have used it a month or two ago...

Here is the one I just purchased...

LINK

Looks like it will meet my needs... I hope.

seemyauction · February 7, 2008 12:58AM

They don't work too well on slabs.......

tmot99 · February 7, 2008 1:07AM

I have both and got both off of ebay.

Pistareen · February 7, 2008 3:05AM

My calipers and my scale never leave my desk -- they're vital tools.

The scale I use is the same kind I've had for 15 years -- a Dillon Precision D-Terminator. It does grains to the tenth but is still compact. A lot of coin people use them. Mine came from Tom Rinaldo, though I'm sure they're widely available.

My calipers are digital and plastic. Metal calipers scare me to death.

BECOKA · February 7, 2008 3:08AM

I have a great set of calipers from work. Brand name is Mitutoyo.

Still need a good scale.

Nysoto · February 7, 2008 3:20AM

I have a digital scale, calipers, and micrometer. Measuring coins and comparing variances is interesting, having some raw coins is much more enjoyable. I use a plastic sheet for the metal surfaces and then adjust.

MrHalfDime · February 7, 2008 3:32AM

Interesting and useful input from a variety of collectors here. I have a scale which I use frequently, and could not be without, and I also have a digital caliper which I use frequently. I would offer a few suggestions that others have not mentioned, however.

Like Cladiator, who needs a digital caliper "for all those little weird coins he likes to look at", I have a caliper to measure the diameter of half dimes. I think that the reluctance to use a metal caliper for fear of scratching your coins is a bit overstated. I have a metal digital caliper (Max Cal 54-200-000) that I have used for many years, and as long as you are careful, there is little danger of scratching a coin. There is no place for the proverbial bull in the China shop here, but when used with the normal caution there is no problem. Always remember to measure the diameter of a coin by placing the calipers tangentially around the coin (keeping the calipers in the same plane as the coin), and do not try to measure the diameter with the calipers perpendicular to the coin's surface. Go slow and easy, and you will have no trouble. The calipers are first set much wider than the coin's diameter, and then slowly narrowed until they just touch the edge of the coin. Always wear cotton gloves when handling your coins.

For a scale, any of the digital scales that I have seen either have resolution only to 0.1 gram, or if they do have resolution to 0.01 gram (which is essential), the repeatability of measurements is not good; every time you weigh the coin you get a different reading. For all minor coins (coins less than dollar or crown size), it is essential to have resolution of 0.01 grams or even greater; resolution of just 0.1 gram will be useless for any meaningful measurement. When one considers the cost of a precision digital scale with high resolution, you would be much better off to purchase a precision balance scale, instead. The balance scale has resolution to 0.01 grams or even greater, and also allows for specific gravity measurements, as well. The digital scale will not. To conduct specific gravity tests, you must measure the mass (weigh) the coin in air, and then do the same with the coin suspended in water. On most balance scales, a separate platform is available to support the water beaker, allowing the water measurement. I find that almost half of my measurements using the scale involve specific gravity tests to determine authenticity. A digital scale, such as suggested here, will not readily allow specific gravity tests, while a balance scale will.

I use the O'haus Cent-o-gram balance scale, which is available from Edmunds Sceintific and other supply houses. I highly recommend it, for just a little more money that a precision 0.01 G digital scale. Maybe not as convenient to carry to coin shows, but a much more precision and versatile instrument.

ricko · February 7, 2008 3:45AM

Mrhalfdime... the AWS scale I recommended above, has .00 resolution and is VERY repeatable... no variation. I also would recommend against plastic calipers... they deform and do not give accurate measurements. Just handle your coins with care and use the instructions given above. Cheers, RickO

MrHalfDime · February 7, 2008 3:52AM

Ricko:

Thanks for the input on the repeatability of measurement for the AWs scale. This may then make it suitable for most coin use, and a pocket digital scale is certainly easy to carry with you. However, for specific gravity measurements, a digital platform scale is impractical, and a balance scale is much better suited. As I indicated, I use my balance scale for specific gravity measurements fully half of the time I use it, and I could not be without it. Weighing and measuring, alone, is not sufficient to determine authenticity. Determining the specific gravity, although not perfect, is a much better test.

One important feature of the Max-Cal digital caliper that I forgot to mention is that it has a small port for a cable, to input measurements directly into a computer for data storage.

mrearlygold · February 7, 2008 3:58AM

I'm still oooooold fasioned and using a triple beam

MrHalfDime · February 7, 2008 4:02AM

"I'm still oooooold fasioned and using a triple beam"

That's what the balance scale is. It is designated by the number of 'beams', or adjustment scales. There is nothing old fashioned about that. A triple beam balance scale is still the gold standard in precision measurement instruments.

Fountainhead · February 7, 2008 4:12AM

Is it safe to carry any of these pocket scales in one's pants pockets?

CoinHusker · February 7, 2008 7:34AM

Wow, thanks for all the awesome replies! From who has them and uses them, I am either way over my head or it was a good idea. I'm trying to figure out which.

BTW, I remembered an ad that we got yesterday in the paper by "Harbor Freight Tools" and I checked out their website and sure enough they had this pocket scale. I drove over to the store and lo and behold they were on sale for $12.99! I can't wait to start playing with it.

RWB · February 7, 2008 7:55AM

The digital scales are great for weighing coins – or the quantity of food you can afford after splurging on that “special, PQ, star, stickered” coin.

Calipers come in handy for measuring the thinness of your bank roll after attending an auction where you “weren’t going to buy anything.”

PerryHall · February 7, 2008 8:08AM

There are a ton of scales on eBay of various types and brands.

Deadhorse · February 7, 2008 8:13AM

<< <i>"I'm still oooooold fasioned and using a triple beam"

That's what the balance scale is. It is designated by the number of 'beams', or adjustment scales. There is nothing old fashioned about that. A triple beam balance scale is still the gold standard in precision measurement instruments. >>

Same here. You just can't beat a good Ohous triple beam with the extended weights.

I recently bought a new one on the net at a great price compared to store prices.

Look Here

Konahead · February 7, 2008 8:49AM

digital scale that I use for coins and gem stones. Works great and only cost $50

CoinHusker · February 9, 2008 9:55AM

<< <i>The digital scales are great for weighing coins – of the quantity of food you can afford after splurging on that “special, PQ, star, stickered” coin.

Calipers come in handy for measuring the thinness of your bank roll after attending an auction where you “weren’t going to buy anything.” >>

I hate to ask what a microscope does?

Anyone use a digital pocket scale or digital caliper?

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