Learn How to Use a Slide Rule

Just got mine for my birthday. I’ve done multiplication/division on it so far. Now to learn the rest :D

I have only just begun to learn the abacus and am picking that up very quickly. Unfortunately I know nothing at all about the practical workings of a slide rule. I have looked around and found some very detailed pictures and momentarily explored buying one, only to find that they can be very expensive. I suppose the next search will be on how to make my own, so that I can go ahead and get started learning the finer details of this instruments use. Any suggestions on purchasing, making and or using a slide rule?

My father’s old Brietleing navitimer came with the manual and I’ve learned to do basic addition/subtraction/multiplication and division using it. (circular slide rule FYI) Fuel consumption/range are still beyond me, but I’m calling this one complete.

Thanks to the marvel of Freecycle I now have a slipstick. So all I have to do is follow the instructions and away we go… I hope. It all seems a bit too easy…

I put a request on Freecycle… I wonder if anyone will respond.

In Robert Heinlein’s book Have Spacesuit Will Travel Kip (he wins the spacesuit in a soap slogan-writing contest) says that learning to use a slide rule is an important life-skill. I don’t know if it’s true, but I fancy trying it out just to see what all the fuss is about. Wikipedia article on slide rules

A good first step would be to track down a slide rule. I shall ask my aged Ps, and if that fails, I shall try Ebay.

First learned on my dad’s, then bought my own from a charity shop. It’s a very clever invention, but can’t really hold a candle to Excel.