Periodically on some of the slide rule discussion lists (there used to be one on Yahoo but now is on Groups.io), there is a discussion on the possibility of making new slide rules with modern processes. The discussions typically come down to several points.
First, there are a large number of vintage slide rules available for fairly cheap, and they clean up / restore fairly well. Typically the case (if it has one) will have someone's name written on it, which some don't like. On the other hand others like that it adds a bit of individuality and history to the piece.
Second, there was a run from Think Geek, but they were a bit less fun to use. I have one, the scales were printed on clear film sheets that got glued to a plastic body and the edges that slide aren't that crisp and a bit sticky. And there are a number of scales and arrangements for different purposes back in the day that this one doesn't have.
Third, their are new-old-stock rules available, but they command a premium price ($150 - $500 in many cases). And it is a dwindling supply. Plus, if you spend that much on it, chances are you won't want to use it as that would devalue it back to $20 - $30 territory because it won't be new in box anymore.
What I'd like to see is a build of the KeLon slide rule -- this was the last slide rule designed by K&E, but never got out of the prototype stage. There is one blurry photo of it, most of the scales are from other K&E rules but there is a unique "Constants" scale at the top that gives common gauge points (pi, sqrt(pi), HP/KW, etc). You can't make out the labeling but from the relative position you can figure out most of them. That would probably be the one that I'd copy if I try to hand make any.
First, there are a large number of vintage slide rules available for fairly cheap, and they clean up / restore fairly well. Typically the case (if it has one) will have someone's name written on it, which some don't like. On the other hand others like that it adds a bit of individuality and history to the piece.
Second, there was a run from Think Geek, but they were a bit less fun to use. I have one, the scales were printed on clear film sheets that got glued to a plastic body and the edges that slide aren't that crisp and a bit sticky. And there are a number of scales and arrangements for different purposes back in the day that this one doesn't have.
Third, their are new-old-stock rules available, but they command a premium price ($150 - $500 in many cases). And it is a dwindling supply. Plus, if you spend that much on it, chances are you won't want to use it as that would devalue it back to $20 - $30 territory because it won't be new in box anymore.
What I'd like to see is a build of the KeLon slide rule -- this was the last slide rule designed by K&E, but never got out of the prototype stage. There is one blurry photo of it, most of the scales are from other K&E rules but there is a unique "Constants" scale at the top that gives common gauge points (pi, sqrt(pi), HP/KW, etc). You can't make out the labeling but from the relative position you can figure out most of them. That would probably be the one that I'd copy if I try to hand make any.
(Picture of the KeLon: https://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KECollection/KeLon/keLon.h...)