Perforation Gauge

tomd, I like the odd perfs and saw some cheaper ones on ebay also.

tomd, here is one for a little less than $20...

www.ebay.com/itm/361362470075?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Great thread topic!

It's a neat device, but I absolutely do NOT recommend it for the typical stamp collector.

I could give you lots of reasons, but the #1 reason is simple: one day you're going to accidentally bend or ding a tooth, and you'll get so mad that you'll put away the gauge and never use it again. Save yourself some money and get a conventional perforation gauge.

Now for the other reasons:

#2 It's a precision device. There are plenty of perforations (even some modern ones) that aren't anywhere that precise, straight, or evenly distributed. When you use a normal perforation gauge (either holes or lines), your eye will "smooth" out the variations. Look at some older non-US stamps and you'll see crooked perforations, unevenly spaced perforations... You'll end up putting a minor edge crease if you apply too much pressure in measuring with that gauge.
#3 Perforation holes are not all the same diameter. Collectors of US Liberty series stamps are familiar with "large hole" and "small hole" perforation varieties.
#4 It's not practical for measuring stamps within a full pane (e.g., stamps in a souvenir sheet) because you have no perforated edges.
#5 It's not cheap. Wouldn't you rather spend the extra money on actual stamps?

I'm sure if I put more thought into it, I could come up with some more reasons. But #1 is a good enough reason for me.

In addition to opinion, it's also a matter what application. The Lindner gauge meets neither my specification needs nor my preference needs.

Since I'm a WW collector, I have to be able to measure decimal die-cuts. I also want to be able to measure the perforation of a stamp still in album. So for me, the basic criteria is a transparent line gauge -- little black/white dots are a bonus, but I have to have the line grid to measure decimal perfs.

I also prefer a flat gauge if possible, but that's a preference rather than a specification criteria. Having a flat ruler edge is also preferred.

So, I basically use 2 gauges (Linn's and Sonic) -- each has its pros/cons, but meet my grid/transparency specification requirements, and also my preferences of flat+ruler. The Linn's gauge is <$10, the Sonic gauge is <$15, where I've rounded up to the next $5 mark.

I'm one of those who likes to get away with one "all-in-one" gauge if possible. If I have to pull out another gauge just to accommodate that 1% of stamps that I can't measure with the 1st gauge, I'll most likely simply use that 2nd gauge.

So why do I have 2 gauges? I use the Linn's gauge most of the time, because it is smaller and pretty much measures all perforations. The Sonic gauge has many features for the specialists that is NOT necessarily related to perforations, but the drawback is that it is a much bigger gauge -- so I only use it when I need the specialty features (or when I can't find my Linn's gauge! )

Just like with stamps, enjoy whichever gauge you use!

k

I think this perforation gauge (with the pins) would be great because as I get older and its harder to see, it would be easier to use this kind of gauge versus what I am using now.


This is a basic $2 gauge that I have been using for years.  The drawback is for those odd perfs of 1/4 and 3/4.  This gauge is useless for that.  

I will probably get one of those Linder gauges to use with the above one.  I dont think there is a gauge out there that does everything that you might want it to do.  

As for price, if I calculated all the money that I have spent on hinges, mounts, watermark detecting fluid, Pure Citrus (to remove self adhesives from paper), albums, paper, ink for printer, stock pages, binders, etc. etc. etc., I have spent thousands of dollars.  So what is another $20.

If you really concern about money, then NEVER have a hobby then.  I have a $25,000 boat sitting in my garage that I use to go fishing with.  Include all the gear, licenses, fuel, bait, launching fees etc, that I have spent over the years and it WOULD be cheaper for me to go to the supermarket and purchase fresh fish.  

I used to think that way. What's another stamp? What's another $1? My house and climate controlled storage is packed. Glad my daughter is moving out!




Planning my next fishing trip...

Ready when you are, buddy! Or are you just baiting me?

As long as I don't drink too much and get gassy, the fish won't get scared off.

I'm a small guy, so if you drink too much beer, I can't guarantee I'll be able to keep you from falling into the Gulf.

Guess we totally hijacked this thread. (can you hijack your own thread?)

Greetings Fellow SB Boarders
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I confess that I use my Phila Combi Box every single day that I sort and identify stamps. I think it has one of the handiest watermark detection trays around. (I like how I can line up four or five stamps in a row and give them a squirt of Ronsonol.) However, I rarely use the Perforation-Tester. The Linn's Multi-Gauge is much easier. And one last thing. I've owned the Phila Combi Box for over ten years and I guarantee that I didn't spend more than $5 hard-earned American bucks for it.
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Respectfully,

Gordon Lee