Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Merits of a milligram scale.

RonPaul2012 - 12-3-2012 at 03:06

I am looking to add a milligram scale to my collection , I am interested in knowing the merits of a milligram scale as opposed to a centigram scale.

I already have these scales http://www.myweigh.com/ibalancem01.html
http://www.myweigh.com/440z.html .

But I really want one of these or maybe something cheaper , any suggestions ?

http://www.myweigh.com/gempro.html

http://www.myweigh.com/ibalance211.html .

I would use these to determine liquid density and for fine syntheses .

What do you guys think ?

[Edited on 12-3-2012 by RonPaul2012]

bahamuth - 12-3-2012 at 06:31

If you want milligram scales buy a decent one, like Mettler, Sartorius and the like with a resolution of 0.1mg since only those are usable for density IMO. Ebay is a good place and you might get a good deal there but even using 400-800 USD on a balance you will have for the rest of your life and with a good resale price if you want to get rid of it is not so bad.

I myself don't have a milligram scale at home but have been working with several and it is really a pleasure working with those compared to the 0.01 gram resolution I have now (feels like working on industrial scale, additionally the minimal chemical costs can be felt when working in millimolar range), if I had 1000 USD to spare a good balance would be my first investment..

zoombafu - 12-3-2012 at 13:13

This would be especially good for organic synthesis, as often you are working with tiny amounts of reagents. I agree with bahamuth that you should go for a high end scale. Make sure that it has a .001g resolution, otherwise it just isn't worth it.

RonPaul2012 - 12-3-2012 at 16:07

Quote: Originally posted by zoombafu  
This would be especially good for organic synthesis, as often you are working with tiny amounts of reagents. I agree with bahamuth that you should go for a high end scale. Make sure that it has a .001g resolution, otherwise it just isn't worth it.
I really don't want to drop more than $100 on another scale (as critical as it is)

http://homegardenoutdoors.com/product/30890_American-Weigh-G...

Do you think this one is good ?

zoombafu - 12-3-2012 at 16:39

Quote: Originally posted by RonPaul2012  
I really don't want to drop more than $100 on another scale (as critical as it is)

http://homegardenoutdoors.com/product/30890_American-Weigh-G...

Do you think this one is good ?


Can you repost the link, it isn't working for me. It will be awfully hard to find a milligram scale that is actually accurate for that price.

bob800 - 12-3-2012 at 17:50

You could always get lucky and have that scale work perfectly for you, but scales are usually cheap for a reason. I paid $100 for a My-Weigh centigram scale; I don't see how you could get an accurate milligram scale for the same price.

If money is such an issue, then I'd recommend looking on eBay like bahamuth suggested. Buying a used quality-brand scale is usually a better option than buying a new cheapo scale.

RonPaul2012 - 13-3-2012 at 10:11

Quote: Originally posted by zoombafu  
Quote: Originally posted by RonPaul2012  
I really don't want to drop more than $100 on another scale (as critical as it is)

http://homegardenoutdoors.com/product/30890_American-Weigh-G...

Do you think this one is good ?


Can you repost the link, it isn't working for me. It will be awfully hard to find a milligram scale that is actually accurate for that price.
The reviewer said that this scale checked out with a HQ milligram scale and it was great.

Sadly this scale only does 20 grams , which is not going to work for me , because the 10ml graduated cylinder that I use weighs more than 20 grams :(.

It's not that money is an issue , it's just that I like to be smart about my purchases (especially when it comes to this amazing hobby) , but I will definitely look around:)

[Edited on 13-3-2012 by RonPaul2012]

neptunium - 13-3-2012 at 10:41

i have a denver XE50 it goes to 0.0001g to 50 g. i think i paid about 300$ on ebay some years ago.
I took it to a scale and standart weight lab and they told me it was accurate.
I`ve been very satisfy with it so far and i am sure you can find one on ebay as well

RonPaul2012 - 13-3-2012 at 13:46

Anybody have experience with this scale ?

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-gempro-250.html

MyNameIsUnnecessarilyLong - 13-3-2012 at 17:47

Quote: Originally posted by RonPaul2012  
Anybody have experience with this scale ?

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-gempro-250.html



I've seen many nice digital Sartorius/Acculab/Mettler .001g scales on ebay sold for roughly the same price as that one. I really recommend buying used equipment whenever you can.

I just saw a nice Sartorius BP110 sell for $150: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4...


Browse this section on Ebay every day and have it set to sort by "ending soonest" then look for open auctions:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Lab-Scales-Balances-/48724/i.html

Always bid at the last 10-20 seconds of an auction so everyone isn't haphazardly one-upping each other and significantly raising prices.

paparev - 20-4-2012 at 09:44

I've found lower-priced precision scales that weigh in the milligram range are those marketed to people who reload their own ammunition to measure out the proper amount of gunpowder per cartridge. Given the nature of the activity, these scales are reliably accurate and precise as well as dependable over time. Yet they are often cheaper than ones from lab supply places.

Some years ago, I got a great little beam scale made by a company called "Dillon" (I think). Although it measured in grains, it's no big deal to convert to milligrams and the electronic, digital ones read out in grains, grams, carats, or whatever else you want.

Swede - 1-10-2012 at 07:55

This is something I've been looking at as well. To find a milligram scale that actually repeats seems to be a very expensive task.

I tried one of the cheap scales. If you weigh something small, and attempt to repeat, you'll get a series like 1.562g, 1.564g, 1.561g, etc, meaning the milligram digit is a lame best guess. And I've never understood the "pocket" milligram scales out there. Unless I am missing something , you shove what should be a delicate device in your pocket and go banging around the hood, the mechanism isn't going to survive very long.

I'd like to find something that works and doesn't cost $700. And I don't need a 300 gram top end, even 20g x 0.001g would thrill me, so long as the stupid thing is accurate.

A "grain" scale doesn't help much considering a grain is something like 65 milligrams, so even a tenth of a grain accuracy isn't the same as milligram accuracy.

Hexavalent - 1-10-2012 at 08:26

Quote: Originally posted by Swede  
And I've never understood the "pocket" milligram scales out there. Unless I am missing something , you shove what should be a delicate device in your pocket and go banging around the hood, the mechanism isn't going to survive very long.


I think the word 'pocket' refers to their small size, i.e. they would fit into your pocket.

Actually, coming to think of it, drug dealers and the like would probably carry them around in their pockets.

Swede - 1-10-2012 at 14:01

I'm pretty sure the druggies do in fact use these things on the street... not so much the milligram scales, but the more typical 0 to 500g jobs.

Since I made that previous post, I looked hard, and any milligram scale that costs less than about $400 may have a resolution of 0.001g, but the accuracy is going to be +/- 0.002g or so. It's either big bucks, or take a gamble on eBay, and even those aren't cheap.

For typical hobby use, one of the $40 "jewelry" milligram scales is going to be better than nothing if you need to get to within 0.003 grams or so. My main scale is a 0.01g VMC, not a top-end scale but plenty good enough.

I do have a mechanical powder scale, 1950's vintage. I need to dust it off and see what it is capable of doing.