Welcome to the NavList Message Boards.

NavList:

A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding

Compose Your Message

Message:αβγ
Message:abc
Add Images & Files
    Name or NavList Code:
    Email:
       
    Reply
    Re: Manufacture new Bygraves?
    From: Brad Morris
    Date: 2009 Jun 17, 10:28 -0400

    Hi Gary
    
    I have toyed with the idea of constructing some other mechanical objects which 
    have little modern utility, but remain interesting in their own right.  
    Developing a set of prints and manufacturing the parts in anticipation of 
    orders is a tremendous outlay of cash.  And if the orders don't come (a very 
    reasonable outcome) you are stuck.  On the other hand, if the orders come, 
    you need sufficient numbers to account for the labor injected and then a 
    profit.  This is fundamentally what has stopped me from proceeding, 
    economics.  Probably the same reason that Ken does not think it viable 
    either.
    
    Consider this, while the Bygrave (and all its variants) still function, it 
    will never surpass a programmable electronic calculator.  The only reason it 
    exists is that electronic calculators did not at the time.  Yes, it is 
    relatively fast, but not as fast as a calculator.  Nor a computer.  The 
    electronics have obsoleted all of these mechanical calculators. When doing 
    critical work, when was the last time you didn't generate and check your 
    mathematics via electronics.
    
    Who uses a typewriter anymore?  Still works, and Christopher Latham Sholes' 
    invention changed the way we communicate.  We still use his keyboard layout, 
    just look down!  But is it commercially viable?  Alas, no.  The same will be 
    said of a modern reproduction Bygrave.
    
    --------------------
    
    All that being said, would I buy a new Bygrave (hopefully with the MHR-1 
    locking mechanism)?  Absolutely.  Then my antique can go into the hands of 
    collectors who will pay dearly for it.  I am cognizant that every time I use 
    it, just a little bit more is degraded, be it wear or the addition of 
    contaminants from my hand.  I wouldn't be worried if it was a new (and 
    therefore replaceable) unit.  You could count me as customer #1.
    
    There are other firms that have become viable doing just this.  Lee Nielson 
    Toolworks manufactures obsolete Stanley hand planes (for smoothing wood).  
    They have quite the catalog now and have succeeded when Stanley themselves 
    said they were done.  Somebody probably told Lee it wasn't viable.  Good 
    thing for him he didn't believe it.
    
    Best Regards
    Brad
    
    
    
    
    
    
    -----Original Message-----
    From: NavList@fer3.com [mailto:NavList@fer3.com] On Behalf Of glapook@PACBELL.NET
    Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 8:14 PM
    To: NavList@fer3.com
    Subject: [NavList 8662] Re: Manufacture new Bygraves?
    
    
    I ran the idea past Ken Gebhart and he didn't think it was a viable idea and I 
    respect his knowledge of the market for celnav.
    
    gl
    
    
    
    
    "Confidentiality and Privilege Notice
    The information transmitted by this electronic mail (and any attachments) is 
    being sent by or on behalf of Tactronics; it is intended for the exclusive 
    use of the addressee named above and may constitute information that is 
    privileged or confidential or otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If 
    you are not the addressee or an employee or agent responsible for delivering 
    this message to same, you are not authorized to retain, read, copy or 
    disseminate this electronic mail (or any attachments) or any part thereof. If 
    you have received this electronic mail (and any attachments) in error, please 
    call us immediately and send written confirmation that same has been deleted 
    from your system. Thank you."
    
    --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
    Navigation List archive: www.fer3.com/arc
    To post, email NavList@fer3.com
    To , email NavList-@fer3.com
    -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
    
    

       
    Reply
    Browse Files

    Drop Files

    NavList

    What is NavList?

    Get a NavList ID Code

    Name:
    (please, no nicknames or handles)
    Email:
    Do you want to receive all group messages by email?
    Yes No

    A NavList ID Code guarantees your identity in NavList posts and allows faster posting of messages.

    Retrieve a NavList ID Code

    Enter the email address associated with your NavList messages. Your NavList code will be emailed to you immediately.
    Email:

    Email Settings

    NavList ID Code:

    Custom Index

    Subject:
    Author:
    Start date: (yyyymm dd)
    End date: (yyyymm dd)

    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site