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Posted by ColinWright 11/19/2025

How Slide Rules Work(amenzwa.github.io)
203 points | 60 commentspage 3
tiniuclx 11/20/2025|
While I'm a bit too young to have used one in school, my dad did give me his slide rule from when he was a student. It's one of my most prized possessions, if only to show how far humanity has come in terms of computing devices.
ghaff 11/20/2025|
My mother (who ran a biochemistry lab) had a longish one--extra digit of precision I guess. Unfortunately my anti-packrat dad must have chucked it in some move or another. In addition to some cheap student stuff, I think I still have a couple of "normal" professional slide rules but they're not in very good shape if serviceable.
inamberclad 11/20/2025||
For the past 10 years, I've worn a slide rule every day. It's a small circular one modeled after the E6B aviation slide rule, with markers for common aviation conversions.
zeckalpha 11/20/2025||
Anyone know of a good place to buy a new linear slide rule? I know there's a circular slide rule manufacturer but am not sure if any linears are being made any longer.
argiopetech 11/20/2025||
Faber-Castell had new-old stock in the mid 20-teens, but they ran out (of stock or patience) around 2016–2018. Picked up a 2/83N for under $100, and I wish I'd gotten more. I'd suggest some of those are on eBay now.

Most of my like-new rules came from antique malls, though I've also purchased one from Etsy. Estate sales are occasionally fruitful. As long as they were stored properly (e.g., in a desk drawer, like it seems they mostly were after the electronic calculator took over), they don't degrade. Occasionally you see minor yellowing that is cured by some time in the sun. Carrying cases (often leather) are typically more affected by time. I soak new (to me) leather cases in neatsfoot oil and give them at least a week before putting the rule back.

You could make your own with prints from the Slide Rule Museum [0]. 3D printing would make quick work of it, but I'm sure wood or metal units could be accomplished. The cursor benefits from spring loading,

They also have some pretty nice simulators [1], if that's your thing.

[0] https://sliderulemuseum.com/SR_Scales.shtml [1] https://www.sliderulemuseum.com/VirtualSR.shtml

evilduck 11/20/2025|||
The used ones aren't that expensive on eBay, especially if you just want a functional one and not a pristine show piece. There's a few 3D print models available for them too, and honestly they are rudimentary technology, you could probably make one with hand tools and patience.

I bought a newly manufactured one from ThinkGeek several years ago, some geek-catering company will pop up and supply pent up demand eventually. Curiosity Box fills that niche right now.

throw0101c 11/20/2025|||
As per sibling comment: not much of a market for new ones. Would be curious about someone trying to make some: use Kickstarter to gauge interest perhaps?

For used, see perhaps "Where to Buy Slide Rules?":

* https://www.sliderule.ca/buy.htm

PessimalDecimal 11/20/2025||
They won't be new, but Ebay has a lot of old linear rules.
NetMageSCW 11/19/2025||
The HP-35 wasn’t programmable- it was just a scientific calculator.
kingforaday 11/19/2025||
This would have been helpful for Sam Cooke.
John-Tony12 11/20/2025|
[dead]