Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Thanks,
Bruce
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Nine bucks
http://stores.nolastampshop.com/scott-linns-perforation-gauge/
Lars
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I rely on the US Specialty Perforation Gauge, even though I use it on non-US stamps. About $16.
http://www.slingshotvenus.com/stamps/USSpecialtyPerf5.html
Here's perhaps a better explanation of it:
http://www.smpiller.com/Perfgauge.htm
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12:08:38am
Found one in a boxlot I ordered last winter amongst post cards. Pretty cool to have 
I'd never seen them before.
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I've been using mine for years! A perf gauge works fine for US until you get to perfs like 11.2 versus 10.9. When you get to self-adhesive diecuts, a standard perf gauge is of limited use. The clear overlay scale really shines when you are measuring die cuts on stamps on cover or still on backing paper. I have yet to encounter anything (US only) that the Scott/Linn's gauge wouldn't work on, and I like the millimeter rule on one side. I just wish they would have added half mm marks for the first 30 mm. My old "IDEAL GAUGE" has marks for 1/2 mm through 40 mm. I rarely use it any more, except for the 1/2 mm gradations.
Lars
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Anyone not in the USA should look at the Stanley Gibbons "Instanta". This has continuous lines that you can slide stamp up until the perf matches - and can easily be measured to about .05. Any more accurate than that and the lines are thicker than the divisions.
Malcoolm
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Hi Everyone;
Don't buy that Stanley Gibbons Instanta, if you sort Washington/Franklins, because it will not work. Some of those stamps go as low as perf. 8½. I know because I've been sorting them for the last two days.
I use a White Ace that is identical to the unitrade one, made of Aluminum and it is just fine to use for the Washington/Franklins.
Just thought you should know
TuskenRaider
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I swear by the Lindner Phila-Combi-Box Perforation Gauge. This is a three-dimensional perforation gauge where the perforation of the stamps locks into raised pins. While there are lots of two-dimensional gauges available made from card-board, plastic, or aluminum, I am not aware of other pin gauges on the market. See image below. I have used it for years. There is no concern about damaging the stamp. The lid of the box doubles as a watermark tray.
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10:05:18am
Problem with all these "non-transparent" perf guages is that they can't be used for stamps on cover!
I'd be lost without my Gibbons Instanta. It's always within reach in the drawer, inches from my right hand.
Roy
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Here is the Unitrade gauge available from Canada Post for $3.00 (Canadian). I've used this for years and it works great!
David
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11:27:26am
99% of the time I am checking common stamps, off cover, and use the small metal, UNI-Safe type gauges. For other purposes where the small gauge is not usable, there are 2 others I swear by:
For USA, the Sonic Imagery Labs Precision U. S. Specialty Multi-Gauge:
And the Linn's Multi-Gauge:
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Bobby:
I have the US Specialty Multigauge for my USA collecting and it is well worth it!
David
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I mentioned the Instanta because it is the one I am familiar with.
In fact any transparent sliding -scale gauge is OK- the ones that are just dots are no good as you cannot measure the intermediate perfs.
You should also note that SG catalogues usually only quote perfs to the nearest 0.5 ( although some issues have footnotes contradicting this ).
Malcolm
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Maybe it's just me but the "U. S. Specialty Multi-Gauge" really looks overcrowded and far to busy. The simpler the better is my preferred way. Ã will go with the SG one any day.
However, I do understand that we all like different things and I'm sure it is what people get used to using.
Vic
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04:46:00pm
For anything other than its intended purpose, I would agree with you Vic. However, for early US, it is invaluable. On one tool I have everything I need to make educated judgments on banknotes, grills, coils, rotary press issues, Washington/Franklins, etc. It is crowded, but it serves a multitude of purposes. I use the Linn's gauge probably as you use the SG gauge; but for day-to-day use, I prefer the metal gauge as it is small, not cumbersome, easy on my eyes, and simple.
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Thanks Bobby, guess I am going to need one when I get around to sorting a stock book of early presidents that I picked up recently. It kinda looks overwhelming at present. About a couple of thousand stamps in total.
Vic
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Well, after all this time I have a new problem, of sorts. I purchased the "Clearvue Gauge" perforation gauge from Unitrade.
I have used it on a number of occasions but today while trying to perf some GB Machins at 14 and 15 I noticed that if I counted up the scale from the bottom I came to a different line than from counting down.
I appreciate that it did not really make a difference in this instance but wonder if this was a manufacturing fault or if anyone else had noticed. Or perhaps I'm wrong.
Here is a scan of the relevant gauge.
Comments appreciated.
Vic
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Vic,
Looks like a design mistake: 31 sets of perf marks (lines with dots) and 30 perf labels (numbers). Not sure how you fix that...
-Steve
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StampMe,
I have the common metal Unitrade perf gauge that you have shown as well as the specialized US gauge and another one (forget what that is). I use the Unitrade gauge for almost all of my measurements (90%+) and its perfectly acceptable, at least for US, Swiss, Canadian, British, and Hungarian stamps. Rarely do I need to pull out the specialized gauge, but its useful to have.
I am about to order another Unitrade gauge as mine is wearing out. I also like this gauge because 1) its compact, 2) its metal 3) it has a dark background (black), which makes reading simple measurements (90% of your measurements) a snap and can provide a quick black background for examining (easy) watermarked paper (not US). (I use anything black or use back lighting for WM determination before I move my lazy behind to break out the Ronsonol.)
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I also use the Uni-Trade perforation gauge. I do have a Linn's Multi-gauge for when I need it.
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I use four different multi-gauges -
the Honor-Bilt metal gauge;
Linn's/Scott clear multi-gauge;
Whitman's Whit-Perf sliding gauge (nice travel size);
and Stanley Gibbons Instanta Transparent Perf Gauge.
Each one has its own particular function that works best for me, depending on what I'm in need of at that time.
Randy
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I'm feeling very inadequate right now.
But gosh, I've only been using this one for 48 years! You mean it might be time to upgrade, already!
I do need to get one of the clear-vue gauges, so I can read the perfs on mounted stamps. Hopefully, that'll bring me into the 21st century.
WB
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04:42:51pm
I have the common metal Unitrade perf gauge. Shown for you to admire and heap praise upon me. However, what does the more accurate perf guage look like, the one(s) that measures minute fractions? More importantly, what do such contraptions cost?
Thanks,
Bruce
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re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Nine bucks
http://stores.nolastampshop.com/scott-linns-perforation-gauge/
Lars
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re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
I rely on the US Specialty Perforation Gauge, even though I use it on non-US stamps. About $16.
http://www.slingshotvenus.com/stamps/USSpecialtyPerf5.html
Here's perhaps a better explanation of it:
http://www.smpiller.com/Perfgauge.htm
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29 Sep 2014
12:08:38am
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Found one in a boxlot I ordered last winter amongst post cards. Pretty cool to have I'd never seen them before.
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this post
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
I've been using mine for years! A perf gauge works fine for US until you get to perfs like 11.2 versus 10.9. When you get to self-adhesive diecuts, a standard perf gauge is of limited use. The clear overlay scale really shines when you are measuring die cuts on stamps on cover or still on backing paper. I have yet to encounter anything (US only) that the Scott/Linn's gauge wouldn't work on, and I like the millimeter rule on one side. I just wish they would have added half mm marks for the first 30 mm. My old "IDEAL GAUGE" has marks for 1/2 mm through 40 mm. I rarely use it any more, except for the 1/2 mm gradations.
Lars
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11:22:34am
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Anyone not in the USA should look at the Stanley Gibbons "Instanta". This has continuous lines that you can slide stamp up until the perf matches - and can easily be measured to about .05. Any more accurate than that and the lines are thicker than the divisions.
Malcoolm
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re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Hi Everyone;
Don't buy that Stanley Gibbons Instanta, if you sort Washington/Franklins, because it will not work. Some of those stamps go as low as perf. 8½. I know because I've been sorting them for the last two days.
I use a White Ace that is identical to the unitrade one, made of Aluminum and it is just fine to use for the Washington/Franklins.
Just thought you should know
TuskenRaider
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this post
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
I swear by the Lindner Phila-Combi-Box Perforation Gauge. This is a three-dimensional perforation gauge where the perforation of the stamps locks into raised pins. While there are lots of two-dimensional gauges available made from card-board, plastic, or aluminum, I am not aware of other pin gauges on the market. See image below. I have used it for years. There is no concern about damaging the stamp. The lid of the box doubles as a watermark tray.
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23 Nov 2014
10:05:18am
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Problem with all these "non-transparent" perf guages is that they can't be used for stamps on cover!
I'd be lost without my Gibbons Instanta. It's always within reach in the drawer, inches from my right hand.
Roy
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re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Here is the Unitrade gauge available from Canada Post for $3.00 (Canadian). I've used this for years and it works great!
David
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
23 Nov 2014
11:27:26am
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
99% of the time I am checking common stamps, off cover, and use the small metal, UNI-Safe type gauges. For other purposes where the small gauge is not usable, there are 2 others I swear by:
For USA, the Sonic Imagery Labs Precision U. S. Specialty Multi-Gauge:
And the Linn's Multi-Gauge:
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re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Bobby:
I have the US Specialty Multigauge for my USA collecting and it is well worth it!
David
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12:21:24pm
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
I mentioned the Instanta because it is the one I am familiar with.
In fact any transparent sliding -scale gauge is OK- the ones that are just dots are no good as you cannot measure the intermediate perfs.
You should also note that SG catalogues usually only quote perfs to the nearest 0.5 ( although some issues have footnotes contradicting this ).
Malcolm
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re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Maybe it's just me but the "U. S. Specialty Multi-Gauge" really looks overcrowded and far to busy. The simpler the better is my preferred way. Ã will go with the SG one any day.
However, I do understand that we all like different things and I'm sure it is what people get used to using.
Vic
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
23 Nov 2014
04:46:00pm
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
For anything other than its intended purpose, I would agree with you Vic. However, for early US, it is invaluable. On one tool I have everything I need to make educated judgments on banknotes, grills, coils, rotary press issues, Washington/Franklins, etc. It is crowded, but it serves a multitude of purposes. I use the Linn's gauge probably as you use the SG gauge; but for day-to-day use, I prefer the metal gauge as it is small, not cumbersome, easy on my eyes, and simple.
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re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Thanks Bobby, guess I am going to need one when I get around to sorting a stock book of early presidents that I picked up recently. It kinda looks overwhelming at present. About a couple of thousand stamps in total.
Vic
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this post
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Well, after all this time I have a new problem, of sorts. I purchased the "Clearvue Gauge" perforation gauge from Unitrade.
I have used it on a number of occasions but today while trying to perf some GB Machins at 14 and 15 I noticed that if I counted up the scale from the bottom I came to a different line than from counting down.
I appreciate that it did not really make a difference in this instance but wonder if this was a manufacturing fault or if anyone else had noticed. Or perhaps I'm wrong.
Here is a scan of the relevant gauge.
Comments appreciated.
Vic
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this post
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
Vic,
Looks like a design mistake: 31 sets of perf marks (lines with dots) and 30 perf labels (numbers). Not sure how you fix that...
-Steve
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this post
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
StampMe,
I have the common metal Unitrade perf gauge that you have shown as well as the specialized US gauge and another one (forget what that is). I use the Unitrade gauge for almost all of my measurements (90%+) and its perfectly acceptable, at least for US, Swiss, Canadian, British, and Hungarian stamps. Rarely do I need to pull out the specialized gauge, but its useful to have.
I am about to order another Unitrade gauge as mine is wearing out. I also like this gauge because 1) its compact, 2) its metal 3) it has a dark background (black), which makes reading simple measurements (90% of your measurements) a snap and can provide a quick black background for examining (easy) watermarked paper (not US). (I use anything black or use back lighting for WM determination before I move my lazy behind to break out the Ronsonol.)
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re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
I also use the Uni-Trade perforation gauge. I do have a Linn's Multi-gauge for when I need it.
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this post
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
I use four different multi-gauges -
the Honor-Bilt metal gauge;
Linn's/Scott clear multi-gauge;
Whitman's Whit-Perf sliding gauge (nice travel size);
and Stanley Gibbons Instanta Transparent Perf Gauge.
Each one has its own particular function that works best for me, depending on what I'm in need of at that time.
Randy
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this post
re: Minutely Accurate Perforation Gauge
I'm feeling very inadequate right now.
But gosh, I've only been using this one for 48 years! You mean it might be time to upgrade, already!
I do need to get one of the clear-vue gauges, so I can read the perfs on mounted stamps. Hopefully, that'll bring me into the 21st century.
WB
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