Musicians simply must know their scales and he came up with a papercraft slide rule for major and minor scales. In practice, you get between two and three significant figures from slide rule calculations, and these errors compound as you use intermediate values. In addition are a few manuals i have written for my own jugglers and radix series slide rules. Finally, for a more general introduction to slide rules, please check out my introduction page. X list of 24 common slide rule scales and their functions. A complete slide rule manual neville w young 10 1 chapter 10 combined operations on c, d, ci, di, cd, df, cif, a, b, bi, k and k scales in this unit we will show how the order of operations and the selection of scales can greatly reduce the moves required. Typical slide rules contain scales for multiplying, dividing, and extracting square roots, and some also contain scales for calculating. A description of slide rule types and common scale labels is given on my slide rule scales page. Specific slide rules table 5 lists scales on some specific slide rules. To someone who doesnt know how to use it, a slide rule looks like a ruler designed by picasso. Since this kind of scale can be intimidating, the model a rule includes the ll scale, which works in conjunction with the k scale instead of the c or d scale. The scales on a slide rule are logarithmic, in that the spacing between divisions the lines on the scale become closer together as the value increases.
Slide rule wristwatches trigonometric functions watch. Slide rule, a device consisting of graduated scales capable of relative movement, by means of which simple calculations may be carried out mechanically. Located on the slide, most calculations are done in conjunction with the fundamental cd scales. The e6b circular rule scales are used internationally for safe manual calculation of air time, distance, speed, temperature, compass errors, and fuel consumption. Picketts most popular aluminum circular slide rule, with decimal to fraction conversions and additional scales on rear face. The loglog scales on a slide rule, which are used to raise numbers to powers, span a considerable distance. Overview of fancier slide rules folded scales, extended. Hints for a happy slide rule experience o when adjusting the cursor, or flipping the slide rule over for scales on the opposite side, then gently squeeze the top and bottom rails together to hold the slide in place. Apr 02, 2012 for all those engineers who dabble in music magnetovore has your back. Scales may be split into two or more subscales and it is up to you to figure out which is relevant for a particular calculation. Chapter 10 combined operations on c, d, ci, di, cd, df, cif. Therefore, scales a and b were developed to perform the square and square root functions on the slide rule.
In a separate calculation you find the order of magnitude by combining the powers of 10. All slide rules consist of logarithmic scales that can be moved in relation to each other in order to do basic mathematical calculations. Users browsing for collectible slide rules in slide rules usually look at. For many problems, one could approach three significant digits of accuracy with a slide rule. Chapter 10 combined operations on c, d, ci, di, cd, df. Most students learned slide rule use on the linear slide rules, and did not find reason to switch. They also have pdfs of slide rules that you can print out. To do a calculation with a slide rule you reduce all numbers to scientific notation with 24 digits then use the slide rule to perform the basic operations. This one, inspired by the yokota slide rule s scale arrangement, doesnt even require putting scales on the back slide of the slider, thus, construction is basically the same as the postscript slide rule initially offered here as constructed by brian ronald. It is a very good example on how the divisions of the slide rule scales are calculated. There are already a couple of tutorials posted at instructables on using a slide. I have thought about making my own slide rule, and finally did. Cooke, 1942 this instruction manual is a supplement to the 407 manual describing the use of the special scales on the 49 cooke radio slide rule. This is probably the best resource for learning to use your new slide rule.
The maximum resolution of a slide rule is only 24 digits depending on which end of the scale is being read. Sphere researchs slide rule universe, build your own slide. Collecting slide rules oughtred society slide rule home page. On the sterling slide rule, the a scale is on the upper part of the. Scales are generally labeled with one or two letters, and these names are standard on most rules. Additionally, the slide rule does not tell you where the decimal point is located in the answer. They also have pdf s of slide rules that you can print out. A slide rule is only as accurate as its manufacture and calibration and your ability to set it and read values. There is no way of indicating the position of the d. This video is a short introduction to the more advanced scales found on scientific slide rules. A a completed to make the cursor the end to complete the cursor. The single slide rule is designed for beginner, consisting of k, a, b, ci, c and d scales only.
The a scale is just twice the d scale on the same printed on the same length of the slide rule as the d scale. Slide rule universe take the learn to use and clean them link. Jul 17, 2017 the great multiplicity of scales on slide rules from that period also provided access to trig values, natural logs, hyperbolics, square roots same log scales but scaled by half, etc. If you use a different pdf reader, your procedures should be quite similar. The slide rule, a practical manual, 24th edition 1948 by c. For the past 400 years, the calculations performed on slide rules have made possible such feats as designing the first skyscraper and putting a. Slide rule vintage international kindle edition by shute. It is well known to any slide rule enthusiast that there are many restrictions on the ranges of the numbers that can be entered and manipulated on the various scales of a slide rule.
Slide rules were used to go to the moon and to build bridges, skyscrapers, tunnels, aqueducts and nearly everything else. List of 24 common slide rule scales and their functions slide rules for special applications major slide rule makers and some of their common models books, manuals, and articles more than 100 references cleaning and care for your slide rule slide rules on the internet the oughtred society website includes. Concise 28 a fairly basic but well known circular rule. The great multiplicity of scales on slide rules from that period also provided access to trig values, natural logs, hyperbolics, square roots same log scales but scaled by half, etc. The pdf file for this slide rule has some problems that make it unfit for anything but practice by a beginner. Sphere researchs slide rule universe, build your own. There are at least three different scales, and on most of them the numbers arent even spaced evenly apart. A slide rule is a mechanical device that uses the alignment of numeric values marked on sliding scales to perform mathematical calculations. The scales didnt have to be straight they could be circular. It is a free, javabased, incredibly precise and configurable scientific slide rule that you can run on your desktop. Here are a few instruction manuals for aw faber faber castell slide rules that i have acquired, most came with slide rules as indicated. Some donors have provided these booklets and other paper items, such as advertising flyers, directions for cleaning slide rules, warranty certificates, and.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading slide rule vintage international. A standard singleface rule with scales to solve problems in multiplication, division, squares, square roots, reciprocals, trigonometry and logarithms. Constructing and understanding new and old scales on slide rules. For example, 8 ll scales usually means 8 distinct scales, 2 c scales usually means there is a c scale on each side of the slide rule. This is a powerful lightweight pocket rule, with performance equal to a much larger straight rule. Feb 18, 2018 this is probably the best resource for learning to use your new slide rule. Ac electrical slide rule and loglog trig and loglog decitrig slide rules by keuffel and esser are introduced. A green entry means the scale is on the slide, a black it is on the body. The simplest slide rule would have two log scales that you could use to do multiplication and division see my slide rule introduction page for more info. The graphic shows the left end of the virtual slide rule with the various scales. Additional slide rule material can be accessed using the links in the left bar under slide rule content pages. Constructing and understanding new and old scales on slide. Some other new scales can be seen on hoffmans downloadable digital slide rule app and webpage 1 based on the article 4, the new scales are in. The slide rule has special scales for the radio engineer.
The modern form of the slide rule, in which two pairs of scales slide against each other, so that the rule is composed of a slider and a stock, was at one time credited to seth partridge in 1657, but it is now known he was describing an earlier invention, believed to be. I had had the itch for a 283n and failed to pull the trigger a few years ago, but today the euro has fallen enough that i decided to go for it. Oughtred society slide rule reference manual the oughtred. Under the title recent developments in slide rule design, p. The slide rule made it easier to utilize the log relations. Compared to a calculator, a slide rule is severely limited in its accuracy. A member at instructables asked me to explain how to use a slide rule for the sake of those who came along about the time electronic calculators replaced slide rules. Net resources index accuracy checking the accuracy of a slide rule aristo aristo archives blundell harling blundell harling archives books a description of the major books available teach yourself the slide rule by burns snodgrass teach yourself the slide rule by burns snodgrass a pdf file a pickworth book for the a.
Well, i stumbled on this forum googling some slide rule info, and id like to say thanks for both the link to the slide rule book pdf and to fabercastells online shop. Dozens of scales are included and numerous features that could never exist on a physical slide rule are also included, such as color options, numeric displays of the values under the hairlines, and so on. Slide rule a slide rule with two scales that are defined by the functions fx and gy can calculate any function of the form. All other scales on a slide rule are referenced to the c and d scales. Pilots are required to be proficient on the e6b slide rule. For all those engineers who dabble in music magnetovore has your back. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Its usage is identical to that of a real slide rule, but tim has introduced two major enhancements. Scales for building your own slide rule 1999 hacker news. In 1950, post brought out an american version of the bamboo slide rule manufactured by hemmi of japan, the versalog. To do a calculation with a slide rule you reduce all numbers to scientific.
This is a circular slide rule first created in the 1930s for aircraft pilots to help with dead reckoning. Collecting slide rules oughtred society slide rule home. You can enter and read a number typically to two or three decimal digits only. How to use the slide rule international slide rule museum. As well as describing the wide range of scales found on their rules it also describes how to use their patented differential trigonometrical scales. This company was one of britains major slide rule manufacturers. Slide rule vintage international kindle edition by shute, nevil. With the aid of scales printed on the frame it also helps with such. Slide rule vintage international kindle edition by.
You may also find my slide rule books of interest for more info. You can use these to create any length of slide rule mike. The following was written in 1999 by jason waskiewicz. Very nice rule, shown with the gold embossed black belting leather case. A paper on the various scales to be found on slide rule wrist watches. The slide rule made its first appearance in the late 17 th century. It is a simple manual, but very adequate and covers the scales on both the virtual slide rule linked above and the pdf slide rule i built. Because of pdf formatting, you must print it to standard 8. Right now i am talking with a friend who studied electronics just a couple of years after electronic calculators unceremoniously drove slide rules from the engineering scene. The modern form of the slide rule, in which two pairs of scales slide against each other, so that the rule is composed of a slider and a stock, was at one time credited to seth partridge in 1657, but it is now known he was describing an earlier invention, believed to be that of robert bissaker in 1654.
Some other new scales can be seen on hoffmans downloadable digital slide rule app and webpage 1 based on the article 4, the new scales are in green. One slide rule remaining in daily use around the world is the e6b. Spheres pickett slide rule company archive slide rules. Scales may be split into two or more subscales and it is up to you to. The slide rule also does not tell you the sign of your result. You may want to download a pdf copy of this instructable to your computer so. Angle divisions were originally in minutes, but decimal divisions gradually became predominant, in decitrig slide rules. A duplex slide rule had scales on both sides, the usual case for engineering slide rules. Joe pasquale department of computer science and engineering university of california, san diego j. Ron manleys slide rule site take the instructions link. The slide rule the book, written by florian cajori, is the standard work on the early history of the slide rule.
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