Proportional dividers

Boris asked:

The price hasn't changed much in the past 30 years. The darned things last forever, but get a good sturdy pair. Everyone once in a while you see a pair in estate sales, garage sales and junk shops. Most people don't even know what they are. If you find a pair sheck for mating length, I found one set that looked good but had been broken, shortened and resharpened, but the proportional legs were just a "leetle bit" off.

Oxmoron MFE

I have looked for many years for an inexpensive pair of these things and $50 is about as good as I've seen. Those suckers are expensive!

I'll be watching this post to see if anyone has any good ideas.

F Marion

Ouch -- at that price, I'm tempted to make my own. (I have a milling machine and it might be a nice project.) I keep looking at the garage sales, flea markets, etc. I haven't seen one in twenty years of trying. With a scanner,printer, and good graphics package, it isn't difficult to make up copies of plans to the exact scale I want, but that's sometimes just not convenient at the workbench.

Boris.

FWIW I picked up a set many years ago in a pawn shop. With the rise of computer drafting, many old draftsmen are dumping their old instruments.

Bill Shuey, who still uses his regularly.

I may have a spare pair. They used to be standard issue to Photo Interpreters some years ago... I'll explore the garage tomorrow.

I'm in the UK and would be interested in a trade!

Please contact me off line.

Regards,

Chris