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Guy Macon · 12-31-2019, 03:08 AM

Maximilian Hohmann · 12-31-2019, 11:10 AM

Hello!

As long as some aviation authorities still forbid the usage of electronic calculators in pilot exams, slide rules will continue to be made. Like for example these:

https://www.pooleys.com/shop/pooleys/avi...-computer/

or those:

https://shop.boeingservices.com/shop/All...10100&text=

But the end is near, more and more authorites are dropping the electronic devices ban.

Regards
Max

ColinJDenman · 12-31-2019, 01:26 PM

(12-31-2019 03:08 AM)Guy Macon Wrote: Cirular Slide Rule No. 300

Treated myself to one a few years ago, adding to my No 28N I bought at the Jodrell Bank radio telescope visitor centre back in about 1970. Would love to get a British Thornton to replace the one I bought for University, but lost during a house move 30 years ago.

Wes Loewer · 12-31-2019, 02:04 PM

(12-31-2019 03:08 AM)Guy Macon Wrote: Cirular Slide Rule No. 300

My first calculating device was a Concise Model 700 circular slide rule. My older brother won it in 1975 as the recipient of the high school science award. He didn't need it so gave it to me. When my high school chemistry teacher required each student to have a slide rule, I was ready.

I won the same science award in 1981 and received a TI-55. That 55 died long ago, but the circular slide rule is still in the my desk drawer right next to me.

Dave Britten · 12-31-2019, 03:27 PM

That's amazing, I had been looking at Concise circular slide rules from the '60s/'70s on ebay recently. I had no idea they were still making them.

Does anybody know what the shipping costs are for US destinations? I went pretty far through the checkout process but didn't see a shipping quote.

Guy Macon · 12-31-2019, 04:46 PM

(12-31-2019 03:27 PM)Dave Britten Wrote: That's amazing, I had been looking at Concise circular slide rules from the '60s/'70s on ebay recently. I had no idea they were still making them.

Does anybody know what the shipping costs are for US destinations? I went pretty far through the checkout process but didn't see a shipping quote.

I just ordered one. They listed 3200 Yen ($29.45 USD) as the price with 0 yen for taxes and 0 yen for shipping. The automated confirmation email also has 3200 Yen as the total.

Sounds good, right? Alas, when I told them I was paying with my Visa card, they didn't actually ask for the credit card number. Somehow I suspect my slide rule isn't actually on the way... Sad

Perhaps I will get another email from a human asking me to pay for the slide rule I just ordered.

Dave Britten · 12-31-2019, 04:48 PM

(12-31-2019 04:46 PM)Guy Macon Wrote:
(12-31-2019 03:27 PM)Dave Britten Wrote: That's amazing, I had been looking at Concise circular slide rules from the '60s/'70s on ebay recently. I had no idea they were still making them.

Does anybody know what the shipping costs are for US destinations? I went pretty far through the checkout process but didn't see a shipping quote.

I just ordered one. They listed 3200 Yen ($29.45 USD) as the price with 0 yen for taxes and 0 yen for shipping. The automated confirmation email also has 3200 Yen as the total.

Sounds good, right? Alas, when I told them I was paying with my Visa card, they didn't actually ask for the credit card number. Somehow I suspect my slide rule isn't actually on the way... Perhaps I will get another email from a human asking me to pay for the slide rule I just ordered.

Yeah, they'll probably follow up with an invoice and some way to pay. It's funny, for as much as Japan is really into technology and gadgetry, they're actually pretty low-tech when it comes to business and data processing. Fax machines are still very much a common thing there.

Massimo Gnerucci · 12-31-2019, 05:34 PM

twdeckard · 12-31-2019, 06:13 PM

Slide rules still exist even in 23rd century

Helix · 01-01-2020, 01:19 AM

Some specialized slide rules (or calculators) are still manufactured:
https://mhmear.co.uk

twoweims · 01-01-2020, 04:34 PM

(12-31-2019 05:34 PM)Massimo Gnerucci Wrote:

Wow, you're bringing back memories...

That comic strip was in publication when I bought my first HP Calculator, an HP-15C in 1984. It is sitting on my desk in front of me as I am writing this. It is still going strong after 35 years. Will she be "shot by forty"? I think not.

ColinJDenman · 01-01-2020, 04:35 PM

(12-31-2019 04:46 PM)Guy Macon Wrote:
(12-31-2019 03:27 PM)Dave Britten Wrote: That's amazing, I had been looking at Concise circular slide rules from the '60s/'70s on ebay recently. I had no idea they were still making them.

Does anybody know what the shipping costs are for US destinations? I went pretty far through the checkout process but didn't see a shipping quote.

I just ordered one. They listed 3200 Yen ($29.45 USD) as the price with 0 yen for taxes and 0 yen for shipping. The automated confirmation email also has 3200 Yen as the total.

Sounds good, right? Alas, when I told them I was paying with my Visa card, they didn't actually ask for the credit card number. Somehow I suspect my slide rule isn't actually on the way... Perhaps I will get another email from a human asking me to pay for the slide rule I just ordered.

For a guide from 2012:
Circular Slide Rule No.300 1piece × 2600yen = 2600yen

Shipping and handling charges to UK, 1800yen

Total amount 4400yen

Benjer · 01-02-2020, 08:31 AM

(01-01-2020 01:19 AM)Helix Wrote: Some specialized slide rules (or calculators) are still manufactured:
https://mhmear.co.uk

To add to this, a couple of other special-purpose slide rules still in production.

Feild's Hydraulics Calculator for gravity flow in pipes.

Moonstick for calculating moon phases.

Bill (Smithville NJ) · 01-02-2020, 08:27 PM

This brought back memories.

I looked around and found my Concise circular rule.
The one I have is Model 600-ST designed by Sama & Etani and
manufactured by Concise. It was called:

Concise
Science Tables
and Circular Slide Rule

It's a small circular rule - the dial is 2.5" diameter.
Came with a slip case and could be carried in a shirt pocket.

The neat thing is that it has cards that could be
inserted into it. The cards have different tables on them.

The Rule has the Periodic Table on the back. Since the rule is
dated 1968, it's missing the newer elements.

I have three inserts:
Insert CE: Tables for Useful Constants, Volume Conversions, Mass,
Force, Area, Decimal Equivalents, Velocity, Gas Constants, Flow Rate,
Pressure, Energy

Insert EE: Tables for Useful Constants, Color Code, Copper Wire,
Unit Conversions, Standard Component Values, Energy, Force,
Velocity, Power, Greek Alphabet, Velocity, Length, Mass, Area,
Volume

Insert ST: Mathematical Formulas, Chemical & Physical Data,
Pressure, Gas Constants, Length, Area, Volume, Mass, Force,
Energy, Power, Greek Alphabet, Velocity

Each Insert is two sided, completely filled with great info.
They were great for tests - like having a little crib sheet.

I seem to remember that Companies could contract with Sama &
Etani and have special rules made with corporate logo and the
inserts could have data specific to the company.

Bill
Smothville, NJ

Bill (Smithville NJ) · 01-02-2020, 08:41 PM

(01-02-2020 08:31 AM)Benjer Wrote: To add to this, a couple of other special-purpose slide rules still in production.

For years, companies would give away at trade shows all sorts of
special purpose slide rules. Some were made of plastic, but
many were made of cardboard. When personal computers came
out, companies started giving out floppy disks with a computer program
in lieu of the old slide rules. We hated the computer programs.
The rules we could carry around to job sites and do quick checks.
At work, we guarded the old rules and I still have a few of the old
cardboard ones. They are still useful.

Bill
Smithville, NJ

**rprosperi** · 01-02-2020, 10:58 PM

(01-02-2020 08:27 PM)Bill (Smithville NJ) Wrote: I have three inserts:
Insert CE: Tables for Useful Constants, Volume Conversions, Mass,
Force, Area, Decimal Equivalents, Velocity, Gas Constants, Flow Rate,
Pressure, Energy

Insert EE: Tables for Useful Constants, Color Code, Copper Wire,
Unit Conversions, Standard Component Values, Energy, Force,
Velocity, Power, Greek Alphabet, Velocity, Length, Mass, Area,
Volume

Insert ST: Mathematical Formulas, Chemical & Physical Data,
Pressure, Gas Constants, Length, Area, Volume, Mass, Force,
Energy, Power, Greek Alphabet, Velocity

Bill - I have several of these Sama & Etani pocket circular slide rules, each with a single insert; I have an ST, CE and 2 others w/o labels. Also, the backs of the rule body contain either a Periodic Table in the classic layout or a simple listing of the elements (older unit).

Does your rule allow all 3 inserts to be inserted at the same time? I've never seen a rule that accepts more than 1 insert, so I'd be interested to see how that one holds 3, if that's the case.

Bill (Smithville NJ) · 01-03-2020, 03:36 PM

(01-02-2020 10:58 PM)rprosperi Wrote: Does your rule allow all 3 inserts to be inserted at the same time? I've never seen a rule that accepts more than 1 insert, so I'd be interested to see how that one holds 3, if that's the case.

Hi Bob,

Nope - can only insert one at a time. But I could store the ruler, and the
three inserts in the vinyl sleeve case.

Bill
Smithville, NJ

**rprosperi** · 01-03-2020, 04:38 PM

(01-03-2020 03:36 PM)Bill (Smithville NJ) Wrote: Nope - can only insert one at a time. But I could store the ruler, and the
three inserts in the vinyl sleeve case.

Ah, OK, thanks for clarifying. Any memory of where the 'extra' inserts came from? I've only ever seen them with/in the rule body.

When you have a spare moment, would you mind scanning or photographing the "EE" insert, I'd like to compare it with the unlabeled ones I have. NO RUSH for this, any time in 2020 is just fine. You can just email them, as it's unlikely anyone else cares, and no need to use your limited upload space here. Thanks!

Guy Macon · 01-03-2020, 05:55 PM

Great info on other companies still making this sort of thing~

I am about to order these:

https://mhmear.co.uk/product/comprehensi...alculator/

https://mhmear.co.uk/product/probability...alculator/

Bill (Smithville NJ) · 01-04-2020, 02:25 AM

(01-03-2020 04:38 PM)rprosperi Wrote: When you have a spare moment, would you mind scanning or photographing the "EE" insert, I'd like to compare it with the unlabeled ones I have. NO RUSH for this, any time in 2020 is just fine. You can just email them, as it's unlikely anyone else cares, and no need to use your limited upload space here. Thanks!

Bob,

I have sent you pdf's of the inserts.

For examples of some other Concise Rulers and inserts,
see the following Slide Rule Museum Page:

Slide Rule Museum - Concise

Bill
Smithville, NJ