Perforation Gauges – Which Are The Best – How To Use Them.

There are so many old and new perforation gauges used by collectors.
Below is a list of approx. 31 different gauges...Some people have never seen before.

Big question...
1 - Which is the most accurate gauge to use.
2 - Which is the most accurate way to use the gauge.

Below are the available stamp perforation gauges including Jogil's experimental gauges.
And a gauge I have placed here to down load { a PNG download } used by coin collectors that can be used for aligning, identifying circle cancels for information collecting.




































If you want the PNG that is for circle cancels above..Please email me.
Robert

Robert,
Where is the Kiusala one? Do you want a scan/image?

Gilles, is the US one different from the Canadian one ?

Peter

Gilles le timbre..Please scan and post for collectors to see.




Petert4522..Good question

Robert

This one is for Canadian Stamps specialists. No mention of USA equivalent.

Didn't realize there were digital perf gauges. That's pretty cool. Are they accurate?

Ever since I was a kid, I've used a White Ace gauge that is essentially identical to the black Unitrade gauges pictured above, differing only in the branding and the country of manufacture (U.S.A. rather than China).

Looks like both U.S. and Canada Gauges have the following in common:

11-72 (wheel)
11-70 (bar)
12-67 (U.S. Rosback stroke)
12-66 (wheel)
12.5-63 (U.S. Rosback rotary)

However, only 11-72, 11-70 and 12-66 are from the same kind of perforators.

To twist the first question around a bit ... what is the most appropriate gauge to use for each era of Canadian stamps?

Of course the gauge must be accurate itself, but the larger point being, when I have a problem to solve, I select the appropriate tool for the task. Do I select a regular screw driver or a phillips? Similarly, I would select different gauges for small queens vs 1930s definitives vs 21st century issues. I do not believe there is a one-gauge-fits all. And it is often better to use a stamp of known gauge instead.

Good point John for collectors out there..I have used another known perf to arrange perf tips to see if in fact there is a noticeable difference.
This would support perforation readings with what ever gauge you decide to use.

Robert

1964 C.B. Charmatz 'Slide Rule' US Perf Gauge and Stamp Identifier



Don

As per Hillson (expert in SQ) I use the original SG yellow Instanta gauge for them (purchased on eBay).

This perforation and cancellation gauge was given to me by Dr. Bohne at CHICAGOPEX many years ago.

Here are a few more gauges...

Here is my mother's "Whit-perf" perforation gauge. Circa 1960-63 I think.

The left hand piece is a plastic sleeve into which the right hand plastic piece slides. At right in the image are scans of the back of the sleeve and insert. I suppose the sleeve kept the thing from bending or getting dinged or dirty. Although I used it for years, I switched to a Sonic Labs US multigauge some time ago which I find quite easier to use as the perforation section is at least twice as wide as this one.

But in the interest of assembling a virtual collection in the thread, here it is.

jleb1979...Nice old gauge.
Now for the second part of the title...
""HOW TO USE THEM""

Some use the perf. hollows to measure and others use the perf.tips.
Below is a stamp that I measured using both.

Robert






Which methods is the best..Which method is the most accurate..???