In order to determine which scale you need, one must first determine exactly what needs to be weighed and how you intend to use it. For routine mass (weight) measurements of larger denomination coins, some of the digital platform scales recommended here will suffice. However, for accurate weight measurements of the smaller denomination coins (e.g., half dimes @1.34 grams), one would need a scale with higher resolution, accurate to at least 0.01 G. But if one intends to do specific gravity measurements, to determine a coin's authenticity, a platform scale will not do. You will need a balance beam scale such as the O'Haus Cent-O-Gram. This triple beam balance scale has resolution to 0.01 G, and has a removable platform on which to place a beaker of water for critical 'wet' and 'dry' mass measurements required of specific gravity calculations. Certainly it does not lend itself to portability, and use on a coin show bourse, but for critical, accurate, and reliable measurements the Cent-O-Gram should be considered. I have used one for many years with excellent results.
They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
<< <i>US Magnum 500 g... Includes a 5 year warranty. >>
Same here. I weighed over 4000 dwt worth of sterling flatware, plates, saucers, ect. Then took it all to my local B&M to sell. Our weights were only off by 6 dwt.
"You think that one will be ok, eh? I want .01 gram accurate or better."
I am not familiar with that particular scale, but it is a nice looking instrument. Cool as an antique and decorative piece, if not as a scale. My guess is that it will not be 'better' than 0.01 G resolution, but with a good eye and accurate calibration weights it may be accurate to that weight.
In order to make it useful as a scale, you will need accurate calibration weights. Remember that it is a balance scale, which compares your unknown mass to known calibration masses. The overall accuracy of your scale depends entirely upon the accuracy of your calibration weights. The ones supplied with the scale may be sufficient, and they can be checked using another accurate scale. The masses of the smaller calibration weights supplied with your scale are not designated, so they would also have to be checked. You can purchase sets of calibration weights for not too much money which will make your scale very useful. Check eBay for 'calibration weights' and you will find numerous sets, some very expensive but others not so much.
They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
I got this scale in on Saturday, and had time today to work with it. Very much Old School...take your time....but NO batteries to wear out and very trustworthy. A little thingy, it works in "Pennyweight", and has a set of weights, an aluminum one for 1 pennyweight, and brass ones: 2 for 2 PW and 5, 10 and 20 pennyweight. Also, there are about 8 aluminum discs, which are "curved" so you can pick them up easily, and these are stamped 1/2 to 6...and these are in grains. Also handy to use is a modern lincoln cent, this is 2.5 grams.
So, in use, I suspended it from a wooden dowel at my desk, put the subject coin on one tray, then the 1 pennyweight weight (24 grains), and added in the little discs until the needle pointer over the fulcrum was centered in a viewing circle.
Its easy to get an accuracy of 1/2 grain, and after you use it for awhile, can estimate a closer accuracy by the position of the pointer in the opening.
Already, Ive learned things regarding my Feuchtwanger cents. Weights can decrease from an average of 37 grains down to 31 grains for coins well circulated, Po and AG. What really shocked me is that my 4E plate coin, quite well hammered in strike, sits square in the middle of the weights!
Yes, an old fashioned answer to the digital scale, but I will say for certain that it is capable of extreme accuracy, 1/2 grain or better!
Comments
100 g x 0.01g
""not valid for trade""
Works great, at Amazon at a great price, 5+ years and no problems.
My TV Blog
A Truth That's Told With Bad Intent
Beats All The Lies You Can Invent
0.1-500g (or display can be changed to OZ, DWT, or OZT)
siliconvalleycoins.com
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
<< <i>Old old jewelers balance beam
I want one of those.
<< <i>I agree with MrHalfDime. I own an O'Haus Cent-O-Gram too. >>
Same one I have had for over 25 years, much better then the digital one I have. I Would never consider using anything else after trying both.
Empty Nest Collection
i like triple beams, but, it is the digital age.
<< <i>Just my old drug scale from college
you didn't trade it? and it still works?
<< <i>US Magnum 500 g... Includes a 5 year warranty. >>
Same here. I weighed over 4000 dwt worth of sterling flatware, plates, saucers, ect. Then took it all to my local B&M to sell. Our weights were only off by 6 dwt.
Knowledge is the enemy of fear
<< <i>I agree with MrHalfDime. I own an O'Haus Cent-O-Gram too. >>
Me as well, it is a left over from the 80's. We used to call them triple beams :-)
This seemed to be what I needed, so I hit the BIN.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&rt=nc&nma=true&item=280665557779&si=xBJEEV69XnuXlzqaKdeRyI1y3MI%3D&viewitem=
schmidgital
I trust gravity!
--Severian the Lame
I am not familiar with that particular scale, but it is a nice looking instrument. Cool as an antique and decorative piece, if not as a scale. My guess is that it will not be 'better' than 0.01 G resolution, but with a good eye and accurate calibration weights it may be accurate to that weight.
In order to make it useful as a scale, you will need accurate calibration weights. Remember that it is a balance scale, which compares your unknown mass to known calibration masses. The overall accuracy of your scale depends entirely upon the accuracy of your calibration weights. The ones supplied with the scale may be sufficient, and they can be checked using another accurate scale. The masses of the smaller calibration weights supplied with your scale are not designated, so they would also have to be checked. You can purchase sets of calibration weights for not too much money which will make your scale very useful. Check eBay for 'calibration weights' and you will find numerous sets, some very expensive but others not so much.
So, in use, I suspended it from a wooden dowel at my desk, put the subject coin on one tray, then the 1 pennyweight weight (24 grains), and added in the little discs until the needle pointer over the fulcrum was centered in a viewing circle.
Its easy to get an accuracy of 1/2 grain, and after you use it for awhile, can estimate a closer accuracy by the position of the pointer in the opening.
Already, Ive learned things regarding my Feuchtwanger cents. Weights can decrease from an average of 37 grains down to 31 grains for coins well circulated, Po and AG. What really shocked me is that my 4E plate coin, quite well hammered in strike, sits square in the middle of the weights!
Yes, an old fashioned answer to the digital scale, but I will say for certain that it is capable of extreme accuracy, 1/2 grain or better!