Tile Perpetual Calendar Improvements

One of the most common display type perpetual calendars is the tile type. The far-left picture above shows the conceptual design. In this calendar, 31 numbered tiles are re-arranged every month to make a display similar to the month sheet on a conventional calendar. Many artistic designs are available for sale online. Although these calendars are beautiful and easily seen from a distance, the need to refer to a conventional calendar to set them or to verify which month of which year is displayed limits their usefulness. The purposes of this instructable are:

1.    To show how to build a small standalone perpetual calendar that can be attached to the base of an existing tile perpetual calendar.

2.    To show how to incorporate a small standalone perpetual calendar into a new tile calendar.

The centre picture above shows the add-on to an existing tile calendar. To make construction simple, the calendar is surface mounted and the ends of the slider can be seen. The far-right picture shows the incorporation of a standalone perpetual calendar into a new tile calendar. The calendar is mounted behind a window in a panel so the ends of the slider are hidden. The construction is more difficult, but for a new design a more pleasing appearance is wanted.

The designs of the standalone perpetual calendars in the centre and the far-right pictures are very similar. Both cover two centuries. Depending on the amount of framing around them, between three and five inches are added to the height of the tile calendar. My previous instructable “Perpetual Calendar Breakthrough” (https://www.instructables.com/Perpetual-Calendar-Breakthrough/ ) describes the operating concepts of the standalone perpetual calendars. To the best of my knowledge, no calendar using these simple and practical concepts has been patented or manufactured. My book “Practical Perpetual Calendars – Innovative, Convenient and Green” by James R. Saltvold describes these concepts in detail and includes many design ideas.

My previous instructable shows how to build a desk calendar that has a year table covering one hundred years below the day-of-month table. This calendar is six and a half inches wide by four inches high, which is a nice size for desk calendar. For the tile calendar, eight inches or more width is available, but minimizing height is desirable. Therefore, the year table is placed beside the day-of-month table. There is room for a year table on each side, so this calendar can cover two hundred years.

The details in this instructable show how to build the standalone perpetual calendar part of the add-on to the existing tile calendar, and the extra component of the new calendar. Essential information is provided on fonts that have proven to work, how to use Excel to make the tables, and on critical fabrication details. The instructable includes pdf files that can be printed to copy my designs. As well as showing the face and slider that are used in making the calendar, these files show an edge view and list all the parts.

The following supplies are needed: 

Cardstock, see Note 1 below

Mod Podge or white glue

Double-sided tape (optional)

Empty cereal box or very thick cardstock

1/4-inch square dowel (for new tile calendar only), see Note 2 below

1/8-inch hardboard (for new tile calendar only)

1/16-inch diameter nail (for new tile calendar only)

Notes

1.    I suggest using 80 lb. or heavier glossy cardstock and having the printing done at a shop. Only one 8.5 by 11-inch sheet is needed for each calendar that you want to make. A print shop should be able to supply suitable cardstock. If you need cardstock, a product you might consider purchasing is Hammermill HAM120023 Color Copy Digital Cover Paper. Most home printers cannot handle thicker paper than 60 lb cardstock. If you use this lighter cardstock, I suggest covering the sheet with an Avery 76293 or equivalent self-adhesive laminating sheet. For more information on cardstock, see https://finecardstock.com/topic/cardstock-weight-guide/ .

2.    I obtained square dowel from Lowes (changing to Rona+ in Canada). Square dowel can be made from lumber or plywood using a table saw.

The two files below are the files for printing the face and slider for the standalone perpetual calendars. One file is for the add-on to an existing tile calendar and the other is for a new tile calendar. The files have parts lists and information on how to assembly.

The pdf file attached to this step has all the information needed to to build the standalone perpetual calendars for improving a tile perpetual calendar.