I'm looking to get an inexpensive scale. Does anyone have any experience with any of the (many) low cost options out there as to what it passable and which are useless. Thanks in advance.
When you research it more thoroughly, you'll find that a large percentage of the cheap electronic scales offered (and branded) by innumerable sellers tend to originate in only a couple or three Chinese factories. This is the one I own: https://www.digiweigh-usa.com/index...atory-balances/jewelry-scales/dw-100as-detail Oddly enough, the exact_same_scale paddy just posted, just branded differently.
I've said this in another thread, so for what it's worth, a cheapo digital scale from Harbor Freight might do the job. I got one for less than $10 some years ago... now the cheapest is $10.99... http://harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=digital+scale
I've had an AWS scale for over a year. Works great, no problems. But there are many different models. Get sufficient capacity for your needs -- 100gm, 500gm, or 1000gm. And sensitivity to 0.1gm is probably all you need (I believe 0.01gm is also possible on lower-capacity scales). Edit: Related thread.
Until the Chinese workers start forming unions and wanting trivial things like adequate wages, benefits and safe working conditions.
My last AWS scale identical pretty much to the one @paddyman98 posted above except grey lasted 8 years before breaking through heavy use. They have a 10 year warranty but I figured I got my moneys worth after 8. I now have the exact one posted above for a replacement and they are like $10+ on Amazon.
I have both an inexpensive eBay special (+/- 0.01g) AND a more expensive model (+/- 0.001g - http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/jennings-jscale-jsvg20.html) bought through Old Will Knott (http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/), whom I highly recommend for decent prices and great customer service. Either way, make sure you carefully follow the calibration instructions.
I agree, and your scale should go to 0.01. I weigh every silver coin I buy. It's your first line of defense in detecting fakes.