Postal scales vs. kitchen scales?

[chud]

Has anyone ever measured the accuracy of postal scales compared to kitchen scales? I don't have a postal scale, but I have a Salter electronic kitchen scale that I usually use to see if I'm over an ounce on thicker letters... so far I've never had a problem, but it just occurred to me to wonder how accurate the various scales out there really are... has anyone ever checked, just out of curiosity?

[Paddler]

I have never really checked my kitchen scale. It is a spring scale and as such, is probably not worth checking. Such scales are illegal here for use in trade.

 

You could probably have your county auditor check your scale. All that is necessary is to put an accurately measured weight on the platform.

 

You might be able to make your own standard weight if you or a friend shoots and reloads ammunition. There are 7,000 grains to a pound or 437.5 to the ounce. A reloader's powder scale is typically accurate to 0.1 grain. That would get you in the ballpark.

 

Paddler

 

[Lifesaver]

I've got a reloader's scale. It came with a weight to check it. It is very accurate. I think I paid about $25 for it through one of the big catalog companies, Midway possibly.

[Possum Hill]

Has anyone ever measured the accuracy of postal scales compared to kitchen scales? I don't have a postal scale, but I have a Salter electronic kitchen scale that I usually use to see if I'm over an ounce on thicker letters... so far I've never had a problem, but it just occurred to me to wonder how accurate the various scales out there really are... has anyone ever checked, just out of curiosity?

If you are referring to a postal scale you might by for home use, I think there's a good chance the same scale mechanism/electronics would be used in both postal scales and kitchen scales.

[succubus]

I also have a digital Salter kitchen scale, and I think that would be accurate to within a gram or two. (Mine only reads out even numbers: 25.6 g, 31.4 g, etc.) I trust it more than the mechanical postal scale I have here at work.