Excellent scribing compass £2

[Graham Orm]

I had one of these old Helix school types which worked great,but inevitably got lost. I've scoured Ebay for one, there are lots, but there seems to be a great demand for them and they all have multiple bidders paying up to £9 plus postage.

I tried a modern copy from a stationery shop with a plastic nut to hold the pencil. It doesn't hold the pencil and strips the thread when you try to tighten it.

I spotted these for £2 inc postage.

They look cheap and nasty, but to my surprise every bit as sturdy as the old Helix. Nice stiff nut (leave it!) so no slipping and slim and delicate enough for fine work.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151100890433

 

[blackrodd]

Nice old compass there! Still the easiest way for marking a scribe, in my book!
Regards Rodders

 

[Woodmonkey]

The problem with those is the point isn't long enough to get into ornate skirtings etc, that's why the old style ones are so popular with the long spike

 

[worn thumbs]

I used to occasionally see the traditional type at car boot sales,but I think the sellers have become aware of how much more they can sell for on ebay-and you don't have to stand around in the drizzle.

 

[condeesteso]

Very useful things, nice & simple too. I agree the plastic ones are rubbish, love that old Helix above. I did spot this ages ago somewhere - about as close to art as you could get with a compass

 

[rafezetter]

The problem with those is the point isn't long enough to get into ornate skirtings etc, that's why the old style ones are so popular with the long spike

I was wondering the same thing.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maths-Set...857932?hash=item2c9be2438c:g:Aw0AAOSw3xJVbu1h

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5Pc-Compass-B ... Swo0JWMlmf

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/proops-heavy- ... K8UCRaq-xA

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MATHEMATI...868546?hash=item1a09299042:g:tF4AAOSwMmBVpYOj

WHOA!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-B...209868?hash=item1c54779ecc:g:2GsAAOSwKrhVevJC

 

[bugbear]

I had one of these old Helix school types

which worked great,but inevitably got lost. I've scoured Ebay for one, there are lots, but there seems to be a great demand for them and they all have multiple bidders paying up to £9 plus postage.

Are there really enough carpenters doing scribing to drive the price up, or is there some other factor?

They don't seem fancy enough to be part of the scientific instrument world (draughstman's instruments, slide rules etc).

In any case, this morning's car boot provided a pair at 20p, so not all the sellers are up to speed on their value and/or rarity.

This one is just marked "Made in England *" on the pencil retaining ring.

BugBear

 

[bugbear]

This is very odd. I've done some searching on eBay. None of the sellers seem to bother emphasising
the brand or details of the compasses, and no one mentions scribing.

I can't find any forum discussing these items (other than this one!). Almost
any collectible has its own forum.

And yet these items are consistently selling at (what I consider) a very high price for a basic item.

Mysterious.

BugBear

 

[Graham Orm]

The £2 one in my first post is just as good for the purpose required. I don't know what's going on with the old ones.

 

[Graham Orm]

Here's one I was watching. sold for £16 with 17 bids!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/rcm/v1/?itm=161878822863

 

[swb58]

Here's one I was watching. sold for £16 with 17 bids!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/rcm/v1/?itm=<a href="tel:161878822863">161878822863</a>

Described as a circle drawing tool. Come to think of it, that just about sums it up :lol: I would have expected a pencil with it for that price!

 

[Tom K]

Here's one I was watching. sold for £16 with 17 bids!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/rcm/v1/?itm=<a href="tel:161878822863">161878822863</a>

Described as a circle drawing tool. Come to think of it, that just about sums it up :lol: I would have expected a pencil with it for that price!

Bright young things amaze their friends after passing it around and taking guesses as to its use. Drug induced awe as Tarquin describes an arc (hammer)

Sorry going off on a tangent (homer)

 

[Droogs]

Thats OK Tom. I'm in complete ah chord ](*,)

 

[Monkey Mark]

Please keep this on topic. We've already gone full circle.

 

[chippy1970]

Years of making do using bits of wood or plastic packers then awhile back I gave in and bought one of these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0001GUDT ... ds=scriber

Cheaper delivered from the US than if I'd bought one here.

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