DIY Slide Rule From Cereal Box Paper

Hi, I am Matthew, and I am interested in slide rules.

I wanted to make a paper slide rule that would feel like an actual slide rule. The idea is simple, gluing the layers of paper to create a thick cardstock-like part that has the same structure as a real slide rule.

This slide rule is a copy of a N600-ES LOG-LOG Speed rule from Pickett. I chose it because it's small and it has a log-log scale.

I want to add that this project is hard with all its caveats, so be careful.

For this project you need:

1. Printed templates (A4-like size)
2. Cereal box paper (I used 0.5mm paper)
3. Strong glue
4. Scissors (I recommend sharp ones)
5. Thin string (minimum 10cm/4in, for the hairline)
6. Transparent scotch tape

Print out the template attached, and don't yet glue it to the cereal box paper.

Cut out the sections approximately (as in the first picture), and tape on the yellow parts to laminate them. Tape very carefully, so no bubbles and creases occur. Then cut out the sections carefully. (as in the second picture)

Either you can just laminate the parts with a laminating machine, if you have one.

Glue the sections to the cereal box paper. This is a very important part, if you put too much glue in one area (and you printed the templates with an ink printer), then the labels could become wet, and ruin the label.

Carefully cut out the parts (as in the first picture) so the labels don't smear. Do not cut out the dotted lines.

Each section corresponds to each part, so organize the parts, or the labels could be glued on incorrectly, as I did. I have attached photos of how the ruler looks like from this link.

After gluing, let the parts dry.

Glue the strips layer by layer as shown. You have to:

1)Correctly glue the sides so the end of the marks maches the side where the "slide", or the middle would be.

2)Correctly glue the slide, so you don't get the labels upside-down when you flip it by the long axis to get to the other side.

3) Straighten the parts, either by pulling on its sides or by putting weights at the top.

After gluing, let the parts dry.

If you do it correctly, then you are ready for the next step.

Put the temporary holder where the slider would be, and glue on the "brace". You should either press on the parts a lot, or have very strong glue. The gluing process is hard, mainly because the sides are laminated and the sides are thin.

1) On a piece of transparent tape draw a hairline, or place a string

2;3) Fold the tape.

4) Cut out a 1cm/~0.4in strip from the tape, where the hair line is in the middle.

5;6) Wrap the strip (cursor) around the slide rule, and tape the ends.

Insert the slide into the base. If it's had to do so, cut the edges off of the slide's extrusion. Make sure to insert and take out the slide multiple from the base to smoothen out the connection.

After that, you should have a working slide rule!