Cylindrical slide rules

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Cylindrical slide rules

Cylindrical slide rules use three dimensions to achieve high precision and accuracy with ease of use. The scale is arranged either as a helix around a cylinder like the Fuller's, or as lengthways sections along and around the cylinder, like the Thachers and Loga. They are bulkier than circular slide rules of the same accuracy, but easier to use.

  • Helical - Scale lengths 1.7 to 20 m (66" to 66'). Significant digits: 3.8 to 5.0
  • Segmented - Scale lengths 1.7 to 20 m (66" to 66'). Significant digits: 3.8 to 5.0

Otis King model K, 66"

The Otis King is a beautiful compact cylindrical slide rule with a scale length of 1.7 metres.

D Scale length: 1678 mm. Significant digits: 3.8 to 4.8.

Otis King model L, 66"

The Otis King is a beautiful compact cylindrical slide rule with a scale length of 1.7 metres.

D Scale length: 1678 mm. Significant digits: 3.8 to 4.8.

Nestler cylindrical 1.6m

Quite rare Nestler cylindrical slide rule - the smallest model Nestler, c. 1920, known in German as a "rechenwalze", on wooden board with original cardboard cover.

D Scale length: 1600 mm. Significant digits: 3.8 to 4.

Loga 2.4 m

LOGA cylindrical slide rule (ca. 1930), Cylinder size: Length = 320 mm, Diam = 63 mm, with the accuracy of a 2.4 meter long slide rule.

D Scale length: 15000 mm. Significant digits: 4.8 to 5.

Fuller 41'

Stanley Fuller Model 1 calculator/slide rule with mahogany box, stand, and instruction booklet. This calculator is a cylindrical slide rule with a spiral scale 500 inches long (12.6 metres) which gives accuracy to four or five significant figures. The serial number is 6401 over 31 which means it was manufactured in 1931.

D Scale length: 12566 mm. Significant digits: 4.7 to 5.

Loga 15 m

LOGA cylindrical slide rule (1930), Cylinder size: Length = 600 mm, Diam = 160 mm, with the accuracy of a 15 meter long slide rule.

D Scale length: 15000 mm. Significant digits: 4.8 to 5.

Thacher 4012, 20 m

A very rare Thacher's 4012 Calculating Instrument. This was made in the 1880s. It does have some paper loss along the edges as is expected as this is 130 years old. There is no paper loss on the cylinder just the outer pointed edges.This is almost 23 inches long and 5 1/2 inches tall.

D Scale length: 9200 mm. Significant digits: 4.6 to 5.

Copyright © 2012, Dave Hoyer.