Planimeters

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by seanconnett, Aug 31, 2003.

  1. seanconnett
    Joined: Aug 2003
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    Location: Miami, Florida

    seanconnett Junior Member

    Here is another newbie question.
    Having learned a little about planimeters and trying to decide which one to buy, A question comes to mind.
    Lasico has the 10, 20 and 30 models. The 10 and 20 do not come with an adjustable pole arm but they are available as an option. Is an adjustable pole arm a big plus when it comes to using the planimeter? Is it worth the extra cost?
    Your opinions are appreciated
    v/r
    Sean
     
    seanconnett, Aug 31, 2003
    #1
  2. mmd
    Joined: Mar 2002
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    Location: Bridgewater NS Canada

    mmd Senior Member

    In twenty years of design work I have never needed that feature on my planimeter. Just one person's opinion...
     
    mmd, Sep 1, 2003
    #2
  3. SailDesign
    Joined: Jan 2003
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    Location: Jamestown, RI, USA

    SailDesign Old Phart! Stay upwind..

    Sean,
    Anything that CAN be adjusted will NEED to be adjusted. Constantly.
    20-plus years of using an adjustable have taught me to glue the arm in one place and use fiddle factors. ;-)
    Steve
     
    SailDesign, Sep 3, 2003
    #3
  4. Paul Browne
    Joined: Oct 2002
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    Location: Tampa, Florida

    Paul Browne Junior Member

    Weston Farmer describes a knife blade planimeter in his book "From My Old Boatshop". He says it can be built for 50 cents. I suppose that might be a buck these days. Have you seen it? I've sent a photo to my member's gallery, and it should be posted shortly, presuming it's approved.

    Paul Browne

    [​IMG]
     
    Paul Browne, Sep 3, 2003
    #4
  5. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Knife Blade Planimeter

    Paul -
    Yes, I have seen the Knife Blade Planimeter by Westy Farmer. It was his own. Westy was a dear friend and teacher of mine until his death. The planimeter works but is not as smooth in operation as a production model. It was inspired by Sam Rabl ingenuity who Westy admired mightily. It is accurate enough to build a small boat but I would not count on it for an 82 footer. Try it. you'll like it.

    David Robb
    non-member
     
    Guest, Oct 25, 2003
    #5
  6. Paul Browne
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    Location: Tampa, Florida

    Paul Browne Junior Member

    David,

    You are fortunate indeed. Most of us have to be content with Weston Farmer's designs and writings. You've got memories of him much richer than that.

    Cheers,

    Paul
     
    Paul Browne, Oct 26, 2003
    #6

  8. edneu
    Joined: Jan 2003
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    Location: Florida

    edneu Junior Member

    Planimeter

    I wouldn't bother with the adjustable arm. I have a Lasico mechanical planimeter and it is a good insturment but a little hard to read late at night with bleary eyes. The adjustment on the pole arm makes it mind boggling in my opinion.

    I also have a PLANIX electronic roller planimeter which I got on eBAY for $100. It is great, it averages measurements for you and is really easy to read, it also does the scale conversions. I think they are very expensive new, but I was lucky to get one very cheaply and reccomend it highly.
     
    edneu, Nov 3, 2003
    #7
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