Best brand of weighing scales?

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jkajfes

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Jun 25, 2014
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I changed from volume measuring to weighing ingredients when making up ejuices. I think many who have actually tried it stay with it. During the change over I was in such a rush to get a digital scale that the one I'm using is driving me nuts! It has like a 60 second cut off before it turns off. I can't see a way of adjust that time frame in some menu. I'm still using it and it does work but if the phone rings, some knocks on the door...

At this point I would like to get something better with the following minimum requirements:

compact
minimum of 2 decimals
much longer shut-off time (maybe adjustable in a menu)
capacity: Minimum 300 grams
battery or adapter

I went with 300 as the minimum because I thought scales with a higher capacity would be less accurate measuring smaller amounts.

The beakers I use are as follows with their bare/empty weights:
50 ml = 29g
250 ml = 96.75g
500 ml = 181g

I'm still experimenting with recipes so I use the 50ml beaker almost exclusively at this point.
The 250 ml beaker is great for making up 120g or 4 30g bottles of ejuice
the 500 ml I don't use much right now because it only leaves me with about 100 ml of liquid before the scale's sensor would overload.

As this is the most important tool for us ejuice "weighers" I'm very curious as to what other folks are using and how they like their scales.

I definitely want something that doesn't shut down or that you can adjust it to a longer time.

We should have a listing of good scales to use.
 

twgbonehead

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Well, I have this one:

https://www.fasttech.com/p/1075703

It does have a timeout, but this gets reset every time the reading changes, and since it goes down to .01g, there's usually enough LSB jitter to keep it alive for quite some time.

I also try hard to do my mixing when I won't get interrupted; otherwise it's too easy to forget where I am in the process.
 

Goompa

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I've use this one for batch sizes from 20 to 150 ml with very good results.

Amazon.com: American Weigh Scales SC-501-A Digital Personal Nutrition Scale with AC Adapter: Digital Kitchen Scales: Kitchen & Dining

I goes to 0.01 grams, but I sometimes have to "bump" the scale to get it to read very small changes in weight.
I does have a timeout when running on battery power, but I use it with the AC adapter and have never had it shut down during a mix.

I"m about consistent and repeatable recipe creation more than precision accuracy, and the speed of mixing and ease of clean up makes this the ideal setup for me.

scale.jpg
 

jkajfes

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Jun 25, 2014
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Well, I have this one:

https://www.fasttech.com/p/1075703

It does have a timeout, but this gets reset every time the reading changes, and since it goes down to .01g, there's usually enough LSB jitter to keep it alive for quite some time.

I also try hard to do my mixing when I won't get interrupted; otherwise it's too easy to forget where I am in the process.

This the exact scale I have I should have put a listing so people can have a look and I noticed goompa included a link with his. I tend to agree with you that one shouldn't get distracted while measuring but I'm not as fast ding things as I used to be. I've been using the scale and the price is pretty good for a starter scale. I just wished there was a way to adjust the timeout of the unit but for the price I guess that type of circuitry or menu item couldn't be included. I know you can adjust the accuracy of the scale with check weights which is a good thing.
 

jkajfes

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Jun 25, 2014
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thanks for posting what you use. it looks pretty good. I'm going to keep this one in mind as I like the fact it doesn't shut down. I know what you mean about nudging the scale to get a recording when the weight are small. I've been reading about the software and load cells and some are designed better to read lower weights or have better resolution and it's usually with scales that have smaller maximum capacities. This is a reply to Goompa scale.

I think it's good to mention if you have any issues with scales that seem to stop working when you make small amounts. I think many folks just make up small 15ml or 30ml batches and if the scale has issues measuring or detecting small changes it nice to know.
 
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jkajfes

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Jun 25, 2014
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I'm going to mention this one also it's the scale I notice that HotRod is using and it looks pretty good for our purpose... at least I think it's the one he's using.

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

the display is angled slightly which I just notice which makes it easier to read, with mine I have trouble something seeing the display depending on the angle when I'm looking at it.

I don't think you have to get an expensive one... unless you're looking for certain features. I think under 50 bucks and probably less than 25 can certainly get you something you can start with. I've even seen some for about 10 bucks! Mine was around ten. But there's a few things I'd like to see in my next one that I'm willing to pay a little extra for.
 

MarkyD

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Im using a couple different AWS scales here as well. The circuit boards and load cells in them are actually made by Ohaus. As far as the timeout on the battery-powered ones, theres no way to change it, but if you keep adding an ingredient it wont turn off as long as the indicated weight is increasing. Also if you hit the "mode" button to switch between grams/oz/ct, it will reset the timeout. Always finish adding an ingredient, that way if the scale turns off you can just turn it back on, hit "tare" and keep going with the next ingredient.
 
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amoret

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twgbonehead

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This the exact scale I have I should have put a listing so people can have a look and I noticed goompa included a link with his. I tend to agree with you that one shouldn't get distracted while measuring but I'm not as fast ding things as I used to be. I've been using the scale and the price is pretty good for a starter scale. I just wished there was a way to adjust the timeout of the unit but for the price I guess that type of circuitry or menu item couldn't be included. I know you can adjust the accuracy of the scale with check weights which is a good thing.

I hear you, things aren't always the way they should be.... Nonetheless, if you have this scale, it's actually pretty darned good for mixing, so you shouldn't feel like you messed up by rushing things. One of my best purchases, IMHO; I hope you get past the frustration with yours!
 

Portertown

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I'm going to mention this one also it's the scale I notice that HotRod is using and it looks pretty good for our purpose... at least I think it's the one he's using.

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

the display is angled slightly which I just notice which makes it easier to read, with mine I have trouble something seeing the display depending on the angle when I'm looking at it.

I don't think you have to get an expensive one... unless you're looking for certain features. I think under 50 bucks and probably less than 25 can certainly get you something you can start with. I've even seen some for about 10 bucks! Mine was around ten. But there's a few things I'd like to see in my next one that I'm willing to pay a little extra for.

This is the same scale I have been using for a few months and it has worked perfectly for my mixing needs. I purchased it after it was recommended by HotRod.
 

jkajfes

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Jun 25, 2014
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I found that I prefer a scale with a resolution of .001g as I can see individual drops much better.

Without spending a mint, I went with this scale
http://m.tmart.com/300g-x-0.001g-B3003T-Electronic-Balance-Laboratory-Scale-White_p152567.html

When plugged in, it doesn't do an auto shutoff. Been great so far.

Thank you for contributing...
I don't know if I'd want to go that high in price for ejuice making. Having said this I spent a fortune on accurate reloading scales, 3 types that can measure a kernel of gunpowder so that point might be mute. Thanks for posting what you use. I like the fact that it'll stay on, looks like an angled display?, large numbers. Lot going for this scale. and the extra decimal is bonus.

My idea of this thread was to get a bunch of scales all in one place that works well for DIY ejuice weighing and why we're using them. i.e. their features or good points. Ejuice users that weigh their ingredients may still be a minority in the grand scheme of things. I think once you give this technique a shot odds are you'll stay with it for the long haul.
 

cbabbman

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I spent a month dealing with syringes, counting drops and all the other stuff. I found it ridiculous trying to measure and clean all that stuff and didn't enjoy DIY at all. Switching to a scale made it a pleasure and easy.

A scale, a handful of droppers and a couple of squeeze bottles is all I need now. Hotrod's juicecalculator gives me my weights. Fast and easy, making DIY a real pleasure.

I'd quit DIY altogether rather than switching back to eyeballing syringes and counting/calibrating drops.
 

jkajfes

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Jun 25, 2014
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canada
I spent a month dealing with syringes, counting drops and all the other stuff. I found it ridiculous trying to measure and clean all that stuff and didn't enjoy DIY at all. Switching to a scale made it a pleasure and easy.

A scale, a handful of droppers and a couple of squeeze bottles is all I need now. Hotrod's juicecalculator gives me my weights. Fast and easy, making DIY a real pleasure.

I'd quit DIY altogether rather than switching back to eyeballing syringes and counting/calibrating drops.

hear ya... some evenings I'll get a craving for something simple that I know I don't have mixed. I have one kitchen cupboard shelf devoted to vaping stuff. With a "best so far" list taped to the inside door. These are simple recipes nothing dramatic. It doesn't take long to setup on a cutting board that strattles one of the sinks... minutes later we're watching tv... gosh I don't think I could make popcorn in the microwave this fast!....
 

oplholik

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I believe I am going to go to weighing for mixing my juices as I'm tired of using syringes, then cleaning them. Have any of you just converted as you went, that is measuring out with the syringe and writing down the weight to use for next time, if you get what I mean here. It seems the long way to go, but should keep everything the same I'm thinking.
I checked out the links here for scales, and also searched Amazon and saw this one I liked for small and portability.

http://www.amazon.com/eForCity®-0-0...75804&sr=8-16&keywords=small+precision+scales

Or this one on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/500g-x-0-01...=US_Pocket_Digital_Scales&hash=item43c48425e5

Think these would be acceptable?
 
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