Barographic 70th Birthday

[TheExcession]

The old man's 70th birthday is coming up in Feb and chatting with me step mum it appears he'd like a barograph.

Found this one on ebay that looks like the dog's danglies
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=361&item=6502524699&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

So does anyone have the faintest clue as to what makes a good or bad one?

Apparently he intends to actually use it and not just have it sat on the mantle shelf looking pretty. So do I go for an antique one or get a modern replica?

www.asiuk.net/barometers.htm

Many other ones of this ilk *snigger* appear to be going for a pretty penny in the £500 - £1500 bracket.

www.barographs.org.uk/Antiqbarog.htm

Personaly I think I'd be moved to tears if someone dumped a 1900's piece of scientific instrumentation on my lap for a birthday present, but then, like him, I'm a few sheets short of a full rig too.

best
Ex

[love machine]

I would look at the sizes of drum and what paper is available. Ideally, you would be best off ensuring you can get a supply of the good stuff. Personally, I would see about getting hold of a Griffin & George one as they make kick ass instruments. But then again, function is a bit over form.

I would also take a close look at the bellows for oxidation. They are pretty delicate and might be worthwhile testing. As with aneroid barometers of a small scale, you test them by putting them in a clear bag, sealing it and watching what happens when you squeeze the bag, carefully. You will need a bigger bag for a barograph. I suppose you could just say "Does it work?"

Allthough, I am seriously pedantic about my instrumentation.

Good present. Stu

[mybrainhurts]

TheExcession said:

....I'm a few sheets short of a full rig too.....

Shouldn't that be a few sheets short of a full roll...?

[TheExcession]

love machine said:

I would look at the sizes of drum and what paper is available. Ideally, you would be best off ensuring you can get a supply of the good stuff. Personally, I would see about getting hold of a Griffin & George one as they make kick ass instruments. But then again, function is a bit over form. I would also take a close look at the bellows for oxidation. They are pretty delicate and might be worthwhile testing. As with aneroid barometers of a small scale, you test them by putting them in a clear bag, sealing it and watching what happens when you squeeze the bag, carefully. You will need a bigger bag for a barograph. I suppose you could just say "Does it work?" Allthough, I am seriously pedantic about my instrumentation. Good present. Stu

Unlike your recent comment on Irish Guiness, I think you are bang on the mark with all of the above. The problem I have is that I'm never going to see this before buying it for him.

Drum size is important - also I guess is the number of bellows?

Not heard of Griffin and George but I'm sure google will help me out. My step mum mentioned something about Sewell Instruments in London - but so far haven't managed to locate anything about them.

Thanks for the info though.

best
Ex

[TheExcession]

mybrainhurts said:

TheExcession said: ....I'm a few sheets short of a full rig too..... Shouldn't that be a few sheets short of a full roll...?

Don't talk to me about bog roll - jeeEEEsus - spent too long living with blokes where a roll would last 3 blokes two months. Then the misses moves in and suddenly it's 3 rolls a week - how the does that work?

Ex

[mybrainhurts]

Aye, they all do that....I think they eat it.....

[TheExcession]

mybrainhurts said:

Aye, they all do that....I think they eat it.....

Untill this thread gets back On-T I guess the only thing to add is, no mate they don't eat it, they just flush it away.

Having used 20 sheets to wipe the seat, another 20 go on their bits, I suspect they then employ another 20 or so sheets to wipe the rim, and probably another 20 or so to mop the floor. Times this by five/ten times a day and it might explain it.

Who knows? I certainly don't... maybe this requires a thread all to itself?

best
Ex

[love machine]

Back on to barographs, I think having a look at ebay completed items is probably a good idea. Valid point about the vacuum chamber. There will be obviously different varieties. Bigger vessel, the better. Less gearing and more accuracy. (Which is the name of the game). People quite often have a fascination by all things minature, and the smaller models, often almost exercises in model making are highly priced, especially the micro ones. Myself, I believe that big is beautiful and a nice big chart is the way to go, but I would check what consumables are available and work back from there.

Good luck with it. I personally have a massive mercury barometer with adjustable "pointers" which I tweak regularly. Air pressure combined with the wind direction is a good surf forecasting tool.

Edit:- Sp

>> Edited by love machine on Saturday 8th January 23:39

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

TheExcession said:

...Then the misses moves in and suddenly it's 3 rolls a week - how the does that work? Ex

Have you seen her with her bra off?

Second vote for Griffin & George stuff.

[TheExcession]

Been googling for Griffin and George Barographs and finding not a lot apart from heaps of PDFs

For example try this - almost a google whack

www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&q=Griffin+George+Barograph+buy+online&btnG=Search

best
Ex

[love machine]

I would skinny your search down to "scientific instruments" maybe adding historic and seeing which specialist dealers are where. To be quite honest, there will be a specialist and you would be better off picking one up from there, rather than an overpriced antiques market or triply overpriced ebay. However, ebay might yield results, you can bet the courier will trash it.

Meteorological instruments?

Barographs for sale uk?

Crack on, they are out there somewhere.

[TheExcession]

love machine said:

Bigger vessel, the better. Less gearing and more accuracy. (Which is the name of the game).

Indeed, hadn't quite thought about the gearing - you are bang on the mark - but most seem to have about 2 cantilevers.

love machine said:

People quite often have a fascination by all things minature, and the smaller models, often almost exercises in model making are highly priced, especially the micro ones. Myself, I believe that big is beautiful and a nice big chart is the way to go, but I would check what consumables are available and work back from there.

So could I get your opinion on http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=361&item=6502524699&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

It looks nicely worn and used but at the same time looks like it was built to work. Like you I'd go for a bigger instrument - after all this isn't one of Harrisons clokcs we're talking about

love machine said:

Good luck with it. I personally have a massive mercury barometer with adjustable "pointers" which I tweak regularly. Air pressure combined with the wind direction is a good surf forecasting tool.

He already has a few barometers and is fond of going out to tap the glass and give us all a lecture on what the weather will do. He did an apprentiship in the merchant navy as a lad and we've had amany a night out with his old sextanat and a juicy Newton refelector telescope.

I really think he'd love an old instrument like this.

Great to find another PHer who likes this kinda stuff!
best
Ex

[TheExcession]

"Supplied in a glazed, mahogany-stained beech case"
hmmm, yummy!
www.russell-scientific.co.uk/products/95_marine_barograph_with_vibration-damped_measuring_system.html

[love machine]

Ok, I am going to revise my opinion here.

I like quality. I like accuracy and I like my stuff to be well made. The modern efforts (marine barograph) point at quality but the workmanship isn't really up to scratch. Sure, you get laser cut spindles of the latest alloy, but it doesn't show the real "Scientific Instrument" quality of the antique instrument (the ebay one). I love decent instruments/tools and that ebay one is pretty much as good as they get.

I would say, throw your money at that one. Forget what I said about the paper, that is a quality instrument which I would have myself and pay a lot of money for.

I reckon your Dad would be stoked at having that, it would go up in value (wheras modern instruments lose a bit and stay static). I'm convinced, that is the best one I have seen and I've seen a few.

[TheExcession]

yup - to me it does look 'bloody lovely' - I've stuck in a few bids but unfortunately it is rapidly approaching the limit I have on my credit card at the moment - damn and blast all those presents the young boy got for xmas!

Wah...

best
Ex

Edited to add - in your humble opinion what would you say would be a safe top whack for an instrument like that? All rights reserved and investments can go up as well as down and all that.



>> Edited by TheExcession on Sunday 9th January 00:56

[love machine]

But all of the old ones were consistently pieces of art as well. Most have survived. You'll find another one. I will speak to mother tomorrow and ask her (she's an antiques *junk* expert). If she can put a finger on something, I will whack another reply on here. Although IIRC, that bloke is a proper expert and repair man of all oddities to do with time.

(My mum located a thing like a giant pocket watch which was pretty much the second documented "clocking in machine" Every member of staff had a key which they put into this gadget which recorded the event on a bit of paper. It was made out of brass and I recall this guy was the expert. But, he would have paid a lot less.

Might be worth sending him an email saying "get me one, my budget is this". Any queries regarding pricing, em me and I will bounce them off mother for you.

[TheExcession]

Thanks Stu.

Will be in touch. I have until 8th Feb to get this sorted so I guess it makes sense to stay calm. Also gives me a bit of time to get the rest of the family to cough up towards it.

My top limit at the moment is about £600 - that's income I can spare right now to make a purchase and then get everyone else to 'donate' towards it later - likely we can up this amount a bit given a bit of notice.

Thanks for all your input so far and do please have a word with your mum for me.

I'll look out for a reply tomorrow, if you come up with anything then please let me know on this thread or via email through my profile.

Thanks for your time and effort!

best
Ex

[love machine]

Ok, will interrogate her tomorrow PM for you and post if she has anything interesting to say (rarely).