I was looking for a New Pharmacy Prescription Scale today and noticed this...which bizzarre. I find it hard to believe these are as sentive as they say at these prices...but for coin collecting... http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/0001-gram-precision-balances.aspx
For coin collectiing there are some nice prices there but I'm sure you know to be careful about buying scales online for pharmacy use as many scales offered online will not pass inspection by the local sealer of weights and measure, even if they claim to. I've had to reject several scales bought off the internet in the past year for either not maintaining tolerances or not having a way to posatively seal the adjustments. richard
Thanks for that link. I am looking for a decent scale to separate out my copper and zinc 1982 cents and also to confirm some bullion weights. TC
Wow. The prices on that site are way higher than you can get a decent qualtiy scale for. I bought one recently for around $20 (don't remember exactly where) that I use for my coins. Check on eBay and Amazon. Just be sure to buy a calibration weight of 50g or 100g if the scale doesn't come with one. Use the scale on a level horizontal surface, no air movement, and calibrate/tare before every measurement.
Ruben, I believe these scales are as accurate as they are advertised. I purchased my scale from this site a couple of years ago, and it is one of the best purchases I have ever made. They offer a decent warranty. My scale came with calibration weights as well as a vibration pad and a cover to protect from air movement. I use it to weigh gemstones to the hundredth of a carat, and to weigh coins to the .01 gram. If I recall correctly, I paid under $100. I know a bit about proper weights, having a chemistry and physics background. I recall fondly weighing the amount of lead we found in water to the billionth of a gram. It's a reliable site with good equipment. Whenever I find a post on scales here, I recommend this site without reservation.
Old School Being simple & old school, I keep some calibrator weights and prefer a simple balance. But then cross reference when speed is essential for mass production. I just hate not knowing the exact weight because the battery is hinky.
Yeah - they can scratch...I don't let them in. We are a Pharmacy and fall under the supervision of the Board of Pharmacy and the local shake down artist can jump in a lake.
BTW - I need a scale sensitive in the pharmacy, by law, to six milligrams and weight from 50g to 5mg. That is a lot more sensitive than the standard scale for coin collecting or making sandwiches. I don't think most people appreciate how small that is. A US dime is something like 2.67g or 2670 milligrams.
I know just how small they have to go. In MA they fall under the Dept of Weights and Measures. I test and certify them all the time. I'll try not to take offense that you just implied that I am a shake down artist :} :} :}
I hear you. And I wouldn't allow you into the Pharmacy...plain and simple. Complain to the Board. Nobody comes into my Pharmacy unless they are NYPD, the FBI, DEA or the OPD, which is the enforcement arm of the Board of Pharmacy. We can take this off line if you want to discuss it further. Ruben
OK guys. One of you lives in Massachusetts and one lives in Brooklyn. You are under different jurisdictions and therefore under different laws and requirements. No need to assume the other is talking about you. I appreciate any information about scales and there use which I can use in coin collecting just as I appreciate information on photography specific to coin photography.
