What scale are you using to mix by weight?

[Svt54]

I am looking into mixing by weight. I like the idea of not having to hassle with syringes, and cleanup. PLEASE DO NOT TURN THIS THREAD INTO A "WHICH WAY IS BETTER THREAD!!! I have already read those threads. This is simply for people using scales, to share what scale they use, and if they like it.

I have read several reviews on Amazon. Some concerns I have on the cheaper ones, are...

1. The auto power off function.

2. I see some people talking about scales having a "floating zero", and if you add small amounts to slowly, I believe they were talking less than .05, they will adjust to zero, rather than measuring the difference.

If you are using a cheaper scale and it works great, tell me about it. If you had to spring for a more expensive scale, tell me about that as well. I also would like to know, how large of a batch can you mix on a 100mg scale? Might consider the 200mg. Typically I mix 30-50ml at a time, but have on occasion made 120ml at once.

 

[supertrunker]

Something from here does fine.

http://www.tmart.com/search.html?q=weighing+scales

T

 

[jclifford]

I use scales in my job. the biggest problem with the low end scales is lack of repeatability. You can weigh the same item 5 times and come up with 5 different weights. The low end scales are simply not capable of producing accurate and consistent results assuming that that is what you are looking for.

 

[Soylent_Seal]

I use scales in my job. the biggest problem with the low end scales is lack of repeatability. You can weigh the same item 5 times and come up with 5 different weights. The low end scales are simply not capable of producing accurate and consistent results assuming that that is what you are looking for.

It's comparative though, isn't it? From my limited experience, a inexpensive jeweler scale is as accurate as trying to measure fractions of milliliters using a syringe at least, and much easier. You might not get the exact same measurement down to two significant digits, but it'll be within the realm of error of using syringes.

 

[shynsly]

I got this one about 6 weeks ago. It has been working well for the price. i have noticed that when add small amounts that you need to tap the scale for it to register, but i am talking about a few drops. It does come with calibration weights, and i like the bowl so if i make a spill it protects the scale. But they must be popular as the price went from $28.50 to $49.58 in that short time. I would shop around as i wouldnt pay $50 for it.

American Weigh Scales LB-501 Digital Kitchen Scale : Amazon.com : Kitchen & Dining

Good Luck in the Laboratory!!!

 

[RobertNC]

100 mg? 200 mg? What exactly do you mean?

I will not turn this into a "which way is better thread" (but I will comment that you already put it in red - the caps, well let's not get carried away, lol)

I can tell you in no uncertain terms that as far as anything remotely affordable what you cannot do (not what you can do better or worse, lol) is assume anything that claims "mg" resolution such as this:

http://www.tmart.com/10g-x-0.001g-Digital-Jewelry-Scale-Silver_p125871.html

actually exists.

The interesting thing about these so called "mg" resolution scales is if you take, say a 20 mg calibration weight and have good technique, it may in fact give a reading of something pretty close to 20 mg over multiple tests. The strain gauges can respond reasonably well to a constant and immediate load, but then try pouring tiny amounts of powder on one and see how differently it responds.

They are not useful if you need anything even mentioned in terms of "mg" resolution for our purposes. Their use is pretty much limited to other applications e.g. controlling pupil dilation duration rather than trace flavor notes i.e. if you definitely don't want 100+ mg but are tolerant to a range of "wow guess what was supposed to be 30 mg may have been more like 50 mg, I'm totally spun out, looks like I'll be up to watch the sunrise" these so called mg scales can do OK lol.

Lower end 0.01 gm (10 mg) resolution scales properly used I would say are maybe good enough to decide that if you are reading 1.18 gms you record 1.2 gms and if you are reading 1.12 gms you record 1.1 gm.

So you need to qualify what kind of accuracy and precision you are looking for in more concrete terms, but if you are looking to get something for less than $$$$ that offers resolution in terms of mg and not +/- 0.1 gm tolerance, you are better off with syringes...

 

[Requiem33]

Just throwing in my 2 cents.

Get a scale made for reloading. Yes ammunition reloading. They are made for measuring very small amounts since reloading comes down to every grain counts they have to be accurate. There are some decent not expensive ones out there.

 

[disco180]

I have been mixing by weight for about 3 months now and it couldn't have been easier or better IMHO. I use this scale

Amazon.com: American Weigh Scales Black Blade Series BL-100-BLK Digital Pocket Scale, 100 by 0.01 G: Kitchen & Dining

Since you are not calculating total weight but instead only measuring added weight, your calculations can be accurate to about +/- 0.2.. I really think using your sight in a syringe has a bigger error ratio.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

Since you are not calculating total weight but instead only measuring added weight, your calculations can be accurate to about +/- 0.2.. I really think using your sight in a syringe has a bigger error ratio.

Wouldn't +/-.2g be +/-.2ml? I use a 1ml syringe and there is no way my eyesight is so bad that I'd be +/-.2ml off

Cheers,
Steve

Edit Is it accurate to +/-.2g or .2mg?

 

[lvm111]

Don't even think twice about it. I've done the research and have acquired the perfect balance for this application. Being a lab tech for 40+ years, and using balances everyday that cost 10+ times more helped a little bit. 100% satisfied with the experience, purchasing, shipping, and using. It has so many features I don't have time to list them all. I use it with the ac adapter, but also works on batteries. The windscreen just pulls right off, although it has moveable sides and top. You won't even need it unless it's really windy where you are. It's self calibrating, with the included weight. It's rock solid, no wavering around. This is not a toy, like all the scales priced around $20. It's a fantastic balance, full of desirable features. Well worth the money, and a real bargain. Here it is:

My Weigh iBalance 201 (i201)

best regards, larry mac

p.s., and yes, you can disable the auto off function. A must have feature IMO.

 

[WileECoyote]

Spent a ton but am happy with it so far and make batches as small as 5ml without a problem.

http://www.affordablescales.com/adam-equipment/core/cqt-202.asp

 

[MarkyD]

Even my AWS gunpowder scale hits continuously within 0.01g of calibration weights. Seriously, how accurate do you *need* to be just to whip up some juice to vape. Personally, I dont think I can taste the difference in between 7.00% and 7.01% of something, and if I can it doesnt really matter, nor am I too worried if I get an extra couple micrograms of nicotine in a batch. At 0.01g the resolution is about half the size of the smallest drop that I can manage with a 22ga dispensing needle. All my batches 10/30ml come out to well within 0.02g of calculated weight. Using *any* scale is bound to be more accurate and easier than using syringes.

 

[MarkyD]

Heck I dont even bother with dispensing needles anymore, I drop everything right out of dropper-tops, and youll never get better than 0.02g with these. WL has dropper-tops for the 8ml flavor vials, they've been working well.

 

[WileECoyote]

Heck I dont even bother with dispensing needles anymore, I drop everything right out of dropper-tops, and youll never get better than 0.02g with these. WL has dropper-tops for the 8ml flavor vials, they've been working well.

That is what I switched to. They were cheap so I don't even use syringes except for the VG and PG. All my vials have them now.

 

[MarkyD]

Scales are a lot like audio gear... low-end models below $100, mid-range $100-300, and high-end analytical balances upwards of thousands of dollars. All work, and the high-end balances are obviously more accurate, which one you end up with just depends on how deep your pockets are.

 

[disco180]

Heck I dont even bother with dispensing needles anymore, I drop everything right out of dropper-tops, and youll never get better than 0.02g with these. WL has dropper-tops for the 8ml flavor vials, they've been working well.

Yeah I switched all my bottles to dropper tops also works well.....too bad WL is always out of stock on the 8ml dropper tops

 

[disco180]

Wouldn't +/-.2g be +/-.2ml? I use a 1ml syringe and there is no way my eyesight is so bad that I'd be +/-.2ml off

Cheers,
Steve

Edit Is it accurate to +/-.2g or .2mg?

LOL @ .2ml ...sometimes a drop can put you over by 0.02g (well that's me) being fast

 

[Wingsfan0310]

LOL @ .2ml ...sometimes a drop can put you over by 0.02g (well that's me) being fast

.2ml would be .2g not .02g I believe

Edit What I was saying is if the scale is only accurate to +/-.2g which I believe is = to +/- .2ml that by using a 1ml syringe with my old eyes I can get closer than +/-.2ml. That's why I asked if it was accurate to +/-.2g or +/-.2mg

 

[MarkyD]

too bad WL is always out of stock on the 8ml dropper tops

That was me and WileECoyote that bought up all those lol. Wiz likes sending me freebie 1ml pipettes, I never had much use for them before so I got lots. I kinda like using them now too even though it gives something to clean up afterward, theyre good for just a drop or two of something.

 

[MarkyD]

.2ml would be .2g not .02g I believe

Edit What I was saying is if the scale is only accurate to +/-.2g which I believe is = to +/- .2ml that by using a 1ml syringe with my old eyes I can get closer than +/-.2ml. That's why I asked if it was accurate to +/-.2g or +/-.2mg

Most of us are using scales with 0.01g resolution or better.