Do you have Aids?

[twiasp]

Not the best title i know but here is my question.

So far the only thing i carry with me around to estate sales, thrift shops, flea markets, etc... are my loupe and a magnet. I would love to end up carrying a small calculator and a scale to weigh things. I was wondering what do you all carry with you when you are hunting for bargains?

Also if you know of a good place to buy a not overpriced scale that can measure grams, oz, and penny weight that is small, accurate and durable.

 

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[Lost&Found]

The loupe and magnet are necessities. I picked up a digital scale on ebay for about $10. What you look for will determine your kit. For example coins have a certain weight and diameter. So a scale and a pocket tape measure/ruler will help to eliminate mistakes. One of the things that I look for is pottery so I have a small blacklight.

I find that a search on a smart phone gives me an edge when I am not sure if I should pick up an item. For example, last week I picked up an aluminum box for $2 and saw it marked Drumm. After a quick search I found that it still being retailed for $90 on the artists' website.

Don Drumm Sunface Rectangular Box - Boxes - Home & Office | Don Drumm Studios | Akron, OH

 

[tamrock]

I've been thinking I should get a pocket UV light. I have purchased broken or repaired pottery before and this light would help in detecting things like that.
Pocket Black Light

 

[bzbadger]

I use pocket UV light and scales both bought from amazon.com for about $10 both new with warranty. Bought an LED light loupe and a precious metals acid test kit, all Amazon purchases. Has saved me from buying things that were said to be authentic

Get your facts first, then distort them as you please-Mark Twain

 

[diggummup]

In my pocket, I carry my smartphone, a loupe and a magnet as well as a small laser type blacklight on my keychain that clips to my belt loop. In my car I have my digital scales, tape measure, 6 in black light, a small led flashlight, acid test kit and a box of reference books on old glass just in case. I also bring my own bubble wrap, newspaper, and a box or two to secure my finds. Sometimes, i'll bring an item or two with me from the house that I will try to barter with, if the situation is right. A bottle of water and a snack tops off my Saturday morning arsenal.

PS- Don't forget extra cash, you never know when you may hit the motherload.

 

[jerseyben]

For me, I go "commando". LOL.

I bring a pocket full of cash and a travel mug full of coffee. That's it.

I will admit that sometimes I bring a loupe because I often find myself saying "why didnt I bring my loupe". I only recently got an iphone but I am using it more and more (the ebay app). It is actually more helpful than I thought. It has never caused me to buy an item but it has stopped me from buying an item 3 times already.

 

[trdhrdr007]

I carry a loupe & scale. A word of caution about that. If you pull out a loupe/scale while looking over the pile of "junk" jewelry with the sign that says 25 cents each you can bet the sellers will tell you the piece you want got in that pile by mistake & the actual price is $$$. Only use those tools to verify items that are priced like fine jewelry.

 

[Ursus]

On my iPhone I have both the Amazon and eBay apps. Like JerseyBen stated, it has saved me from bad purchases. I look for more mechanical items so I take a set of small screwdrivers in the car along with a small knife in my pocket. I have taken some batteries with me in the car before but never ended up using them (yet).

The smart phone helps pay for itself in saving yourself from risky purchases.

 

[cyberdan]

If you pull out a loupe/scale while looking over the pile of "junk" jewelry with the sign that says 25 cents each you can bet the sellers will tell you the piece you want got in that pile by mistake & the actual price is $$$.

I use my loupe on everything. when people ask I say I can't see anything small without it. Just two weeks ago I used my loupe on a small pile of junk jewelry. I posted this last week:

==============================================================
I picked up some kids costume jewelry last week. all are rings marked 925 I added a few more just to make an offer of $1.00 and it was accepted.

Well the rings tested almost 925, I think the are probably 600 - 700 and one of the extras that didn't look like much (it is a yellow metal with white prongs & no stone) tested at 10K AU but only weighs 1.6 gr. Value $29
==============================================================
every weekend there will always be one or two that will comment about hunting for gold, I just laugh it off. I once bought a ring after looking at a bunch of kiddy k-rap with my loupe. Price was unmarked so I asked. the owner said 25¢ so I paid and put the ring marked PT in my pouch.

 

[twiasp]

With the UV lights, do you guys prefer the 6" bar types (doesn't seem very portable) or the LED bulb types, short wave or long wave lights? I was thinking of getting a small mini maglite and putting a UV LED light in it instead of the normal white light LED. What kind of things do you guys look out for or use your UV light for? The only thing i know of to maybe look for is Uranium glass and still not really sure why, just would like to own some lol.