Where to buy a digital scale for cheap.

That is probably about as cheap as you will find one, but you can always go to the post office after hours.

That's about right, actually. You can get one for a few dollars cheaper at Ebay — but then, with Wally World, you can return the thing if something should go wrong.

I have two digital scales:

1. a table top one – 0-30lbs in 0.1 oz. increments for individual gear pieces and…
2. a bathroom scale for weighing pack and "skin out" weights.

The one I was looking at was a tabletop digital kitchen scale that weighs up to 10 lbs. in pounds, ounces and grams. I couldn't put my pack on it but I have a digital bathroom scale I can use for that.

I can't find the scale on Wal-Marts website but I am thinking the brand was Mainstays. Anybody have expierence with Mainstay scales?

Joseph

I think Mainstay is one of those lower-middle type brands — or it could even be Wal Mart's own store brand. Don't expect Swiss-like finesse or robustness but it should be just fine for home use.

If you haven't already, test its accuracy with a known weight (or compare against an accurate postal scale).

Weighing up to 10lbs is fine provided your bathroom scale is sensitive/accurate enough to weigh things 10lbs and up.

I believe Mainstays is a Wal-mart brand. I will be next to a Staples today so I will see what they have as well. Maybe K-mart has something.

I will make sure to check whatever scale I get on the PO scale. Thanks alot guys!

Joseph.

To check use 5 quarters, they weigh 1.00001682 ounces which is close enough to 1 ounce in my book.

If you have a restaurant supply store nearby check with them. You can get a 10# digital scale made by Taylor for $70 or so, commercial quality.

on the postal scale…

very accurate

and F r double E

i picked up a Salter kitchen scale a few years ago from BB&B with their 20% coupon that comes nearly everyday.

it was a tad expensive at the time – $40 minus the 20% – 32.00 – i also use it for my beekeeping hobby so it was worth the investment.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=120842

I bought the cheaper Mainstays scale in June and have been quite happy with it. Our Walmart had 2 types in the kitchen department. This one was about $10 and has a square glass top, and the other must have been close to $20.

It seems to be accurate on the low end. I just did Bradford's suggestion and got 28 g (it has 4 unit options), which would be correct.

My only complaints are the small top for large items though I've always worked around it, and it doesn't do the high end very well. It claims to go to 10 lbs or 5000 g, but somewhere over 7 it gives out if I recall. This wouldn't be an issue for most needs at BPL – I was trying to measure food bags as a whole. I had to break them out into smaller batches to weigh accurately though I can't say for certain if it remains accurate all the way until it's limit is reached.

my scale has a zero feature. i can put a laundry basket on it, zero it, and then weigh items i put in the basket.

The Mainstays I have has the Tare feature as well, which is how I got around the smallish top. Stuffed jackets into an empty coffee container in my case.

Yes, the tare feature is very important for weighing bigger or bulkier items. I have a big sheet of cardboard I use as a big tray for larger items. I would not buy a scale without the tare feature.

I just ordered a Ultraship 55lb from amazon for $28 shipped. Anyone know if these are any good?

Should be OK — at least it has a brand and worst case, I believe you can return it to Amazon.

Harbor Freight has some good deals on good scales. $12.99 to $24.99.

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=digital+scale+scale

the company i work for has one in the main office area. just bring your pack to work and stay a little later. you may get some wierd looks, but now you have that $20 to spend on something else.