Need A Decent Lab Scale For A Decent Price

[John Layton]

Looks like I'll be going back to doing some DIY dry chemical mixing...and my two old E.K. mechanical balance-type scales are toast. So...I'm in the market for a decent scale (preferably accurate to at least within 0.1 gram), but don't want to break the bank. Can be digital/electronic or mechanical - so long as its accurate! Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Tin Can]

Lot's of very good digital scales for sale.

Many are very affordable and probably made in the same Chinese factory as the high priced models
.
I used several analytical balances professionally for decades. I don't need those anymore.

Shop by review on Amazon and use common sense.

[Daniel Unkefer]

I have a couple of Pelouze Postal Scales, and they work very well for my needs.

[Jim Jones]

Ammunition reloaders may be more concerned with accuracy than photographers. Sites like https://ads.midwayusa.com/scales-powder/br?cid=9211&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=bing&utm_campaign=RL_Metallic%20Reloading%20Equipment_Beta_B&utm_term=%2Breloading%20%2Bscale&msclkid=2d778b9441b21036951cd6f38a210b6a&utm_content=reloading%20scale compare mechanical and electronic scales that list for as little as $40. Read the reviews before buying. I've used fairly precise measuring equipment for decades, and trust mechanical devices over bargain electronic equipment. While electronic measuring equipment can give readouts that seem precise, these readings can be erratic. This is also be true of mechanical devices that are not properly maintained and used. Inaccuracies in mechanical scales can sometimes be analyzed and corrected. The old scales I used for reloading were calibrated in grains, not grams.

[William Whitaker]

I have a couple of scales from these folks:
https://www.oldwillknottscales.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw753rBRCVARIsANe3o46wpgKp1hKpG4tHld1o4oaOVeHzXGthRxX0tLPXdzDU1paACLGMs2saAqjZEALw_wcB
- The other "Old Will"

[LabRat]

And take a stroll through your local pawnshop and ask them... They should have an Ohaus triple beam balance for $20 or so...

[Jac@stafford.net]

I was a firearms reloader for decades and know that powder measures that work by volume are great with regular symmetric powders (such as ball powder). For variable loose chemistry one must use weighted scales, and I have used those as well. For our photography purposes, weight is best. Considering how inexpensive (and variable) digital weighers are, I suggest one buy three and choose the median and throw the other two into the bin.

[Pere Casals]

(preferably accurate to at least within 0.1 gram), but don't want to break the bank. Can be digital/electronic or mechanical - so long as its accurate! Any suggestions?

Precision with scales is about having a calibration set, M2 certified if possible, but this $11 at amazon is perfect:

194944

In this way you can trust both expensive or cheap scales.


I have two scales, a 1gr Bosch kitchen food scale and a jewelry cheap scale. With the calibrated weights and those two scales I can weight all with precision.

This is an amazon search for jewelry scales: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=jewelry+scale&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

I would take one with 0.01gr or 0.001gr precision this allows precision with Phenidone or Ascorbic.

For 1L of instant Mytol (you know, good Xtol with no shelf life) you need 0.15gr of Dimezone S, a 0.01gr scale would have an actual 10% to 20% error in the dose (if not a 30%), so you would need to make dillutions, etc, with the 0.001gr scale you can face any situation with convenience, in the mentioned situation you would have perhaps a 2% error only in the dose.

I use the 0.001 scale for weights up to around 80grs, for weights exceding 50grs I have to weight several times with the automatic addition function.

IMHO one has to use two or three scales depending on the doses one uses. Perhaps an ideal combination is one 600gr x 0.01gr like this one (https://www.amazon.com/Toprime-Digital-Precision-display-Stainless/dp/B06WD3C2KV/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=scale+0.001&qid=1567109478&s=gateway&sr=8-23) plus a 50gr x 0.001gr like this one(https://www.amazon.com/WAOAW-Milligram-Reloading-Calibration-Batteries/dp/B06W5VXN53/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=scale+0.001&qid=1567109358&s=gateway&sr=8-17)


If you want an scale that makes well an ample range... this is more expensive, say $200 to $1000 , search Digital Analytical Balance:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Digital+Analytical+Balance&ref=nb_sb_noss
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Digital+Analytical+scale&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

But let me reiterate that the most important thing is the calibration set, this is not about precision, this is about known for sure precision.

I use the most those scales for DIY emulsions, and I found the 0.001gr one extremly convenient.

[paulbarden]

I have one of these, and it’s been very reliable and accurate: American Weigh Scale AWS Series Digital Kitchen Pocket Scale, Small, Black (AWS-100-CAL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DPHXYFM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_SxdADb4HYY2VQ

I think people get in trouble with these devices by mishandling them, IE: dropping them or banging them about. Treat them as delicate instruments and they should serve you well.

[Pere Casals]

I think people get in trouble with these devices by mishandling them, IE: dropping them or banging them about. Treat them as delicate instruments and they should serve you well.

There can be accidents, overloads, falls, battery level... and dirt, I had a problem because a grain of Bromide was just blocking the the 0.001gr scale platform... so calibration weights...

[Tin Can]

Where's Bernice?

Calibration weights are necessary as is common sense.

My tiny Chinese scales are fragile.

As is correct scale of load as we need to use them in their 'sweet' spot.

I hate triple beams, they are often heavily abused by...

May even hide traces of illegal substance.

You guys do know that all cash money has cocaine on it...

[PRJ]

I got mine off eBay years ago and love it. The brand is My Weigh. Not expensive.

I have a MyWeigh as well. going on 15 years or so and still works great. .1g resolution and it does work to that level.

[Tracy Storer]

I use an Ohaus triple beam I bought new at a local "head shop", they had many many scales to choose from.

[Bob Salomon]

I use an Ohaus triple beam I bought new at a local "head shop", they had many many scales to choose from.

I use to sell them to a very small camera store along the Delaware River in PA. They were my largest dealer for them and my territory was the Hudson Valley, NJ and eastern PA.

They bought so many because some local weed growers kept getting busted by the local police, state police and DEA. Each time they were busted all their equipment was confiscated. They used the Ohaus for measuring their product.

I presume that accuracy was important to them. But we never could figure out how they got back in business so fast!

[David Karp]

I have a couple of scales from these folks:
https://www.oldwillknottscales.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw753rBRCVARIsANe3o46wpgKp1hKpG4tHld1o4oaOVeHzXGthRxX0tLPXdzDU1paACLGMs2saAqjZEALw_wcB
- The other "Old Will"

I have purchased from them as well. I purchased a jewelry scale with a tare function and a weight for calibration. I believe the brand was MyWeigh as well.

[John Layton]

Thanks Everyone! Such a huge selection...had no idea!

Loads of low-cost electronic options, and my guess is that I'll go with one of these...along with the recommended set of calibration weights.

[William Whitaker]

I have a couple of scales from these folks:
https://www.oldwillknottscales.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw753rBRCVARIsANe3o46wpgKp1hKpG4tHld1o4oaOVeHzXGthRxX0tLPXdzDU1paACLGMs2saAqjZEALw_wcB
- The other "Old Will"

I just found my lab scale (nothing's where it's supposed to be - long story) -
It's the MyWeigh brand, model 700 (700 is the capacity in grams). Claimed accuracy ±0.1g. Reads in Grams, Ounces, 1/8 Ounces, 1/4 Ounces.

It's been very reliable for me.

I also got a shipping scale from the same place (same brand) which has been equally reliable and extremely useful.