Would Dave be interested in a mechanical calculator? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Artlav
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2014, 09:00:10 pm
content: Would Dave be interested in a fully mechanical calculator?It can add, subtract, multiply and divide.A fine example of an era before the electronics came around.I have no clue what to do with it, and might have an occasion to get it to Australia around the new year.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2014, 09:10:39 pm
content: Felix ! it's a beautiful devicefound a review on youtubeFelix ("") Russian Mechanical Arithmometer (calculator)

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 04:37:31 am
content: I have a feeling he would place it in a prominent position in the shelf, even if he never uses it. I doubt he will take it apart, as those are very hard to get back together, without having at least a manual and a few years of training in putting them together.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 05:59:53 am
content: Yes.

author: tsmith35
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 07:00:19 am
content: Look at the detailed work that goes into constructing such machines. Amazing.Operation of these is really cool:

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 08:45:42 am
content: Observation: I like the corrugated desk mat he uses.Question: How do mathemagicians / engineers come up with that complex recursive circular design - very clever.I'm guessing they build out some of the prototype as a flat model, then visualize wrapping it into a cylinder.. nonetheless very clever.Love retro mechatronics !

author: Artlav
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 08:56:23 pm
content: Quote from: tsmith35 on December 25, 2014, 07:00:19 amWow.Now THAT is a cool mechanical calculator.And it does everything of what that brick of mine can do...

author: Dave Turner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 09:28:50 pm
content: We got taught how to use those back in the 1960's. Repetitive strain injury is not a modern phenomenon. Think about it though, it's really only a cut down Babbage difference engine!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2014, 10:15:23 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on December 25, 2014, 04:37:31 amYes, I wouldn't like to attempt to take it apart.

author: tsmith35
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2014, 10:47:22 am
content: Quote from: Dave Turner on December 25, 2014, 09:28:50 pmNumber crunching used to be much more physical...

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2014, 10:12:44 pm
content: thats nice bit of old tech, i think i want one

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2014, 07:58:09 am
content: I remember taking apart old mechanical adding machines where the whole mechanism consisted of notched levers, cams and a seemingly impossible to undo set of screws, rivets and all encased in a grease that had turned into something approaching wax over the decades.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2014, 08:34:09 am
content: Is there a list of calculators in the official collection (or review/teardown)?I have a couple that Dave might find amusing, but dunno whether they would be redundant?

author: quarks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2014, 11:35:44 am
content: Whatever you do, I think it would be a shame to break this mechanical wonder.

author: hamdi.tn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2014, 02:13:29 pm
content: Quote from: quarks on December 27, 2014, 11:35:44 amagree with you, this is an awesome piece of engineering too perfect to be taken apart. Sorry dave

author: Artlav
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2014, 12:17:41 am
content: Quote from: quarks on December 27, 2014, 11:35:44 amWell, my occasion flew on to Australia without stopping here, and the thing is not worth the cost of mailing it.Looks like it stays put for the time being.It's a bit faded and scratched (like someone was washing around the numbers over and over and over and over and over...), but is fully functional.My 10 y.o. nephew loves it, for some reason he find it fascinating to see the numbers on a box full of cogs and gears to match up with the numbers on his cell phone's calculator.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2014, 04:31:55 am
content: Bet you wont find a single cheap Chinese capacitor from hung wang lo in there.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2014, 05:06:28 am
content: Work out the postage cost in US dollars and I am sure that we could crowdfund it for you.