Juggler's Slide Rules

"SYSTEM TOMBEUR"

Although casually interested in maths and physics, I didn't properly explore this side of juggling until I discovered slide rules.

Immediately I thought that juggling mechanics would be a great application for a slide rule and, having satisfied myself it hadn't been done, decided to design and build one.

After a few months of research and experimentation, by the end of 2011 I ended up with two versions of "Juggling Slide Rules"; a "Simple" one and a "Complex" or advanced one.

Both versions can be used for easy calculation and comparison of heights and throw rates for different throw weights. The advanced version allows different hold times to be included in the calculations/comparisons, has extra scales for easier comparisons and calculation of throw angle and velocity and general calculation.

As a result of interest from the slide rule community, including a short presentation at the 2012 International Meeting of Slide Rule Collectors, I have rationalized these first two rules to make them easier to use with more conventional layouts. The rules have been re-branded "Juggler's Slide Rules", with the specialist juggling scales design and layout incorporating standard slide rule scales called "System Tombeur", in true slide rule tradition.

The "Simple" rule has become the "S" or Simple series with 2 models; a full size version, the S2, and a pocket version, the "S3". The "Complex" has become the "A" or Advanced series with one model, the A2.

Full instructions including theory, examples and care information are available for both model series. A technical paper is also available describing the background, development, theory and use of the updated slide rules, along with a similar,now obsolete, guide for the original two slide rules, see the documents list below.

There are now several S2, S3 and A2 rules scattered around the globe, if interested, please contact me via the email address in the Contact page.

Additional slide rule material can be accessed using the links in the left bar under "Slide Rule Content Pages". The table below is a complete list of all models ever made. Multiple entries within a model number indicates multiple versions/examples. Click on a model to jump down to its description:

All documents are A4 size PDF, with the instructions formatted to be printed as an A5 booklet from Acrobat (using the booket printing option in the print dialog). Click to open the PDF or link:

A Load of Balls? Juggler's Slide Rules - System Tombeur     (July 2022, technical paper describing the background, development, theory and use of the redeveloped S2 and A2 slide rules - UKSRC Slide Rule Gazette, Issue 22 Autumn 2022)

Instructions For Use A2    (April 2013, Advanced Juggler's Slide Rule SYSTEM TOMBEUR)

Instructions For Use S2 & S3    (January 2013, Simple Juggler's Slide Rule SYSTEM TOMBEUR)

Juggling Slide Rules     (Sept 2012, Proceedings of the 18th International Meeting of Slide Rule Collectors)

Juggling Slide Rules     (Dec 2011, original guide to Simple and Complex rules, now obsolete)