Callipers, Loupe and Magnet recommendations

[Nicolaw]

Hi all,

I have been a member for a little while but only recently bumping up my stack. I have ordered a Sigma Metalytics Original, (cant afford the Pro unfortunately) and wanted to know what other people recommend /use for their callipers, loupe and magnet for their checks.

Thanks all:)

[James32]

24 minutes ago, Nicolaw said:

Hi all,

I have been a member for a little while but only recently bumping up my stack. I have ordered a Sigma Metalytics Original, (cant afford the Pro unfortunately) and wanted to know what other people recommend /use for their callipers, loupe and magnet for their checks.

Thanks all:)

A decent starter kit that should cover all needs. ( will need bigger scales if buying kilo bars etc)

[Nicolaw]

13 minutes ago, James32 said:

 

thank you very much for this! i cant do the heart icon otherwise i would- are these what you actually use? mostly ill be doing 1oz coins and the odd 10oz bar - thanks very much:)

[James32]

3 minutes ago, Nicolaw said:

thank you very much for this! i cant do the heart icon otherwise i would- are these what you actually use? mostly ill be doing 1oz coins and the odd 10oz bar - thanks very much:)

Yes I use these,  you will need bigger scales to allow for 10oz bars

[Nicolaw]

ok thank you sir

[paulmerton]

The magnet is almost pointless if you're getting the sigma, as that device will automatically flag up anything that's magnetic.

I'm sure some would argue that a magnet is still useful for the fabled slide test, but it really isn't when you consider that pure copper plated in silver behaves practically identically and has a very similar density.

[Nicolaw]

Good to know 're copper plated silver. Makes sense. Just thinking it may be good to have extra standard checks on top of the sigma... think density is the hardest one , seems to be bit tricky but can't afford the pro:/

[bigstudotcom]

Quote

19 hours ago, James32 said:

A decent starter kit that should cover all needs. ( will need bigger scales if buying kilo bars etc)

 

Thanks James and Paul for sharing you knowledge, it is most helpful. 

[Minted]

You can get a free magnet from SilverTrader when buying another coin from there. 🙂

 Neodymium Rare Earth Magnet (silvertrader.uk)

 

[Nicolaw]

great to know- thank you:)

[JohnA1]

I'd check the free pinger apps available for your phone and if they cover coins you intend to stack, I'd go for a pocket pinger (£20-odd)

Also a gold coin balance might be a cheap'n'cheerful tool:

[AgD]

I know a man that sells nice looking coin slides 😁

[dicker]

So my suggestions for Loupes and magnifying.

For me the Rolls Royce is my Carson USB microscope which works very well with my Mac and allows for relaxed and nuanced examination of coins.  No eye strain and you can use two eyes!

I also have a 3 lens Carson Loupe which is good and portable (good for coin fairs and dealer visits) max magnification 15x

 

 

[dicker]

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[JohnA1]

If the theme is 'cheap PM verification tools' I'd consider such an ultrasonic el-cheapo gizmo as a poor man's Sigma Bridge 😄

For silver bars with significant thickness (1kg or more) it is an easy way to measure thickness of selected metal - so if a bubble or an insert is hiding deep inside, the thickness will come up short. Needs parallel flat surfaces though to work accurately

[Petra]

17 minutes ago, dicker said:

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Where did you get the bottom one?🤔

[dicker]

From Amazon.  It was recommended to me by a friend - very useful as it has a led light!