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General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

 

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bigcreekdad
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21 Jan 2023
01:22:26pm
Can someone explain this? And is it more accurate than the standard gauges? I have a 3 cent small queen that I think is 12 1/4 horizontally, but want to be certain.
Thanks in advance.
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HockeyNut
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21 Jan 2023
02:29:40pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Why bother with mathematical formulas?
Just buy the right tools!

I have been using the figure below for more than 40 years (and still do) and it cost 2 dimes.

Image Not Found

This picture has been scaled to 600 x 1171 otherwise I could not upload it here.
So you can not use this

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bigcreekdad
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21 Jan 2023
05:51:41pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Hockeynut
Thanks for responding.

1) Humor me....I was an auditor in my work life. Always looked to substantiate numbers with as much evidence as I could get my hands on. Having the math formula is one.

2) Where did you get that? I haven't seen any that go down to 1/4.

Thanks again/John

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amsd
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Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

21 Jan 2023
08:49:36pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

the Linn's plastic scale goes way down, Limbo down

I paid $4 a while ago. I like it because it overlays and i can see the notches over the holes

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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
angore
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Al
Collector, Moderator

22 Jan 2023
06:08:29am
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I like the Scott/Linn's Multi-gauge and works in 0.1 increments.

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"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
HockeyNut
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22 Jan 2023
07:54:33am
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Hello BigCreekDad

I do not know if you can read german but on ebay germany 3 euros :

https://www.ebay.de/itm/193756047059?has ...

or a fancy one :

Image Not Found

https://www.ebay.de/p/1859485642?iid=162 ...

or for you not so far away (Hamburg Pennsylvania)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264250664477


Image Not Found


Just look via your browser on "STAMP PERFORATION GAUGE"

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joesm

22 Jan 2023
08:06:47am
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I have 2 or 3 White Ace black aluminum gauges, one of which, I got as a kid. That was a time when the locally owned drug store carried small packets of stamps and supplies. 99 percent of the time, it does the job. I would sure like to have one of the ones above that does increments of .25 though.
There was a thread about stamp tongs a while back. My preference is the spade type with an angle at the bottom. This week, I noticed that the bottom spade has been used so much that it is sharp enough to cut you! I guess that I have had that pair for a while. It my be time for a new pair along with one of the gauges above.

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bigcreekdad
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22 Jan 2023
10:56:50am
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Does no one know the secret mat formula?

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www.hipstamp.com/store/troutbum-stamps
Webpaper

In loving memory of Carol, my wife for 52 years.

22 Jan 2023
11:13:24am

Auctions - Approvals
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

The math formula for measuring perfs can be found with a google search or was even spelled out in one of the Hipstamo forums very recently.

Perhaps no one, including myself, wants to give it up because nobody uses it - and if you get the stamp expertised or sell it to someone they will use one of the many excellent tried and true gauges shown above to "be certain". Somewhat akin to giving medical advice when one is not a doctor.

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joshtanski
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22 Jan 2023
12:04:12pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Please post the info to this thread.

Searching for "math formula for measuring perfs" in Google gives me nothing related to stamp collecting, and DuckDuckGo returns this thread as the first result.

Thanks,
Josh

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bigcreekdad
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22 Jan 2023
12:31:50pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Webpaper....not really sure what you are trying to convey.

I see Josh had same search results as I.

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www.hipstamp.com/store/troutbum-stamps
Webpaper

In loving memory of Carol, my wife for 52 years.

22 Jan 2023
12:56:23pm

Auctions - Approvals
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

John,

First - I don't recall what the formula is because I would never use it when accurate gauges are available. I believe Scott covered it in one of his answers regarding perforations on Hipstamp. I am not going to go back and search through the threads for an answer I don't need. If you have a gauge and a ruler you can mathematically derive the formula using "old" math.

Second, you just asked the same question on Hipstamp and Greg replied - "John, check the front of your Scott (or Gibbons or most others) catalog for a discussion of perforations. Good resource you already have I believe."




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sheepshanks
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22 Jan 2023
04:25:20pm

Approvals
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

This was a good thread with lots of images of various gauges. I ultimately decided mine was missing the 15.25 notation, though the line was there. I tend to use the outer scales with the stamp face down, more than the graded lines.
https://stamporama.com/discboard/disc_ma ...

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bigcreekdad
Members Picture


22 Jan 2023
06:01:23pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Geesh.......Web, I was not expecting anyone to do any research at all. If someone knew the formula, I was hoping they could share it. That's all. Frankly, I'm curious just to work the numbers. Is that so crazy?

As for my post on HS, I placed it after I had no responses here with the formula.


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oldguy
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22 Jan 2023
06:18:19pm

Approvals
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

https://www.google.com/search?client=fir ...


(Modified by Moderator on 2023-01-23 05:53:16)

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Webpaper

In loving memory of Carol, my wife for 52 years.

22 Jan 2023
08:32:56pm

Auctions - Approvals
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Thanks oldguy -

I knew it involved 2 centimeters but couldn't remember the rest.

I did find this neat electronic perforation gauge that measures to the 1/100 of a mm. Oddly the result it displays is rounded to the nearest 1/4 so not sure what the $700 retail price gains in accuracy over the Multi gauge.

https://brooklyngallery.com/stamp-access ...

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cathotel

22 Jan 2023
11:23:53pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I do not want to beat a dead horse--since the question now has been answered. However, for those interested in an inexpensive straightforward gauge that measures in increments of 0.1, from 9.8-18.2, Unitrade of Canada's "Perfect Gauge" is an option that meets my needs (except for some items with a smaller range of perfs on coils and rouletted issues.

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angore
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Al
Collector, Moderator

23 Jan 2023
05:54:08am
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

As I see the do the math method is very imprecise. If I want to know between a 10.9 perf vs 11.1 perf, the math approach is not good enough.

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"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
nigelc
Members Picture


23 Jan 2023
01:01:05pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I've always used SG's plastic "Instanta" perf gauge:

Image Not Found

This works well for me.

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cathotel

23 Jan 2023
01:09:29pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

SG's "Instanta" gauge and Unitrade's "Perfect" gauge appear to be the same identical product, just produced in two different countries.

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clivel
Members Picture


23 Jan 2023
03:33:50pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I also generally use the SG "Instanta" perf gauge which I find works very well, however when it is not to hand, I often use the maths (not math, mathematics is plural) method which can give an accurate result.

All that is necessary is a ruler graduated in mm, preferably with ½mm marks. Count several whole perfs and then measure the distance over which the perfs have been counted

Given that perfs are specified over a distance of 20mm then the formula is:

perf=count*20/distance;

e.g
Image Not Found

in the above example, 9 whole perfs measure 12.75mm.

perf=9*20/12.75 => perf 14

as the ruler is only graduated in ½mm units, one has to estimate the ¼mm, so the longer the distance over which the perfs are counted the more accurate the results.

Clive



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musicman
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APS #213005

23 Jan 2023
07:05:03pm
re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I have the SG Instanta as well....

My go-to preference, however is this one;


Image Not Found



An excellent gauge that hasn't ever failed me. Happy

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
        

 

Author/Postings
Members Picture
bigcreekdad

21 Jan 2023
01:22:26pm

Can someone explain this? And is it more accurate than the standard gauges? I have a 3 cent small queen that I think is 12 1/4 horizontally, but want to be certain.
Thanks in advance.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
HockeyNut

21 Jan 2023
02:29:40pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Why bother with mathematical formulas?
Just buy the right tools!

I have been using the figure below for more than 40 years (and still do) and it cost 2 dimes.

Image Not Found

This picture has been scaled to 600 x 1171 otherwise I could not upload it here.
So you can not use this

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
bigcreekdad

21 Jan 2023
05:51:41pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Hockeynut
Thanks for responding.

1) Humor me....I was an auditor in my work life. Always looked to substantiate numbers with as much evidence as I could get my hands on. Having the math formula is one.

2) Where did you get that? I haven't seen any that go down to 1/4.

Thanks again/John

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
21 Jan 2023
08:49:36pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

the Linn's plastic scale goes way down, Limbo down

I paid $4 a while ago. I like it because it overlays and i can see the notches over the holes

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
angore

Al
Collector, Moderator
22 Jan 2023
06:08:29am

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I like the Scott/Linn's Multi-gauge and works in 0.1 increments.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
HockeyNut

22 Jan 2023
07:54:33am

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Hello BigCreekDad

I do not know if you can read german but on ebay germany 3 euros :

https://www.ebay.de/itm/193756047059?has ...

or a fancy one :

Image Not Found

https://www.ebay.de/p/1859485642?iid=162 ...

or for you not so far away (Hamburg Pennsylvania)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264250664477


Image Not Found


Just look via your browser on "STAMP PERFORATION GAUGE"

Like
Login to Like
this post
joesm

22 Jan 2023
08:06:47am

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I have 2 or 3 White Ace black aluminum gauges, one of which, I got as a kid. That was a time when the locally owned drug store carried small packets of stamps and supplies. 99 percent of the time, it does the job. I would sure like to have one of the ones above that does increments of .25 though.
There was a thread about stamp tongs a while back. My preference is the spade type with an angle at the bottom. This week, I noticed that the bottom spade has been used so much that it is sharp enough to cut you! I guess that I have had that pair for a while. It my be time for a new pair along with one of the gauges above.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
bigcreekdad

22 Jan 2023
10:56:50am

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Does no one know the secret mat formula?

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Webpaper

In loving memory of Carol, my wife for 52 years.

22 Jan 2023
11:13:24am

Auctions - Approvals

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

The math formula for measuring perfs can be found with a google search or was even spelled out in one of the Hipstamo forums very recently.

Perhaps no one, including myself, wants to give it up because nobody uses it - and if you get the stamp expertised or sell it to someone they will use one of the many excellent tried and true gauges shown above to "be certain". Somewhat akin to giving medical advice when one is not a doctor.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
joshtanski

22 Jan 2023
12:04:12pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Please post the info to this thread.

Searching for "math formula for measuring perfs" in Google gives me nothing related to stamp collecting, and DuckDuckGo returns this thread as the first result.

Thanks,
Josh

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
bigcreekdad

22 Jan 2023
12:31:50pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Webpaper....not really sure what you are trying to convey.

I see Josh had same search results as I.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Webpaper

In loving memory of Carol, my wife for 52 years.

22 Jan 2023
12:56:23pm

Auctions - Approvals

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

John,

First - I don't recall what the formula is because I would never use it when accurate gauges are available. I believe Scott covered it in one of his answers regarding perforations on Hipstamp. I am not going to go back and search through the threads for an answer I don't need. If you have a gauge and a ruler you can mathematically derive the formula using "old" math.

Second, you just asked the same question on Hipstamp and Greg replied - "John, check the front of your Scott (or Gibbons or most others) catalog for a discussion of perforations. Good resource you already have I believe."




Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
sheepshanks

22 Jan 2023
04:25:20pm

Approvals

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

This was a good thread with lots of images of various gauges. I ultimately decided mine was missing the 15.25 notation, though the line was there. I tend to use the outer scales with the stamp face down, more than the graded lines.
https://stamporama.com/discboard/disc_ma ...

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
bigcreekdad

22 Jan 2023
06:01:23pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Geesh.......Web, I was not expecting anyone to do any research at all. If someone knew the formula, I was hoping they could share it. That's all. Frankly, I'm curious just to work the numbers. Is that so crazy?

As for my post on HS, I placed it after I had no responses here with the formula.


Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
oldguy

22 Jan 2023
06:18:19pm

Approvals

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

https://www.google.com/search?client=fir ...


(Modified by Moderator on 2023-01-23 05:53:16)

Like
Login to Like
this post
Webpaper

In loving memory of Carol, my wife for 52 years.

22 Jan 2023
08:32:56pm

Auctions - Approvals

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

Thanks oldguy -

I knew it involved 2 centimeters but couldn't remember the rest.

I did find this neat electronic perforation gauge that measures to the 1/100 of a mm. Oddly the result it displays is rounded to the nearest 1/4 so not sure what the $700 retail price gains in accuracy over the Multi gauge.

https://brooklyngallery.com/stamp-access ...

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
cathotel

22 Jan 2023
11:23:53pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I do not want to beat a dead horse--since the question now has been answered. However, for those interested in an inexpensive straightforward gauge that measures in increments of 0.1, from 9.8-18.2, Unitrade of Canada's "Perfect Gauge" is an option that meets my needs (except for some items with a smaller range of perfs on coils and rouletted issues.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
angore

Al
Collector, Moderator
23 Jan 2023
05:54:08am

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

As I see the do the math method is very imprecise. If I want to know between a 10.9 perf vs 11.1 perf, the math approach is not good enough.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
nigelc

23 Jan 2023
01:01:05pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I've always used SG's plastic "Instanta" perf gauge:

Image Not Found

This works well for me.

Like
Login to Like
this post
cathotel

23 Jan 2023
01:09:29pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

SG's "Instanta" gauge and Unitrade's "Perfect" gauge appear to be the same identical product, just produced in two different countries.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
clivel

23 Jan 2023
03:33:50pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I also generally use the SG "Instanta" perf gauge which I find works very well, however when it is not to hand, I often use the maths (not math, mathematics is plural) method which can give an accurate result.

All that is necessary is a ruler graduated in mm, preferably with ½mm marks. Count several whole perfs and then measure the distance over which the perfs have been counted

Given that perfs are specified over a distance of 20mm then the formula is:

perf=count*20/distance;

e.g
Image Not Found

in the above example, 9 whole perfs measure 12.75mm.

perf=9*20/12.75 => perf 14

as the ruler is only graduated in ½mm units, one has to estimate the ¼mm, so the longer the distance over which the perfs are counted the more accurate the results.

Clive



Like
Login to Like
this post

"AlbumEasy - Free software for creating custom stamp album pages."

www.thestampweb.com
Members Picture
musicman

APS #213005
23 Jan 2023
07:05:03pm

re: "Do the Math" Formula for measuring perfs

I have the SG Instanta as well....

My go-to preference, however is this one;


Image Not Found



An excellent gauge that hasn't ever failed me. Happy

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
        

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