Sundials: Materials for making a sundial

solid brass sundials As much care should be used in selecting the kind of sundial to make or buy and its material, as would be used in selecting your new automobile or dress. More so if you are buying a sundial. When a lady has a dress made she is particular to make known just what she wants it must be the right type for the purpose; it must fit her, not someone else; and it must be well made. If any one of these things is lacking the dress is not satisfactory nor acceptable. The same is true for sundials. It should be the right type of sundial, that is, vertical for a wall, an armillary for educational purposes, or if the time of sunrise and sunset is desired it must have the necessary lines upon it. A sundial should be constructed for the place in which it is to be used, not some other place; and it should be well made. If the sundial lacks any one of these things it will not be satisfactory, nor acceptable. The first thing to do in selecting sundials is to determine the class or type of sundial you think would look well in the spot picked out for it. All sundials can be placed in one of the following four major classes:

I Spherical
II Conical
III Plane
IV Portable

These major classes may be further subdivided into various kinds or forms, which generally are designated by names descriptive of their location, form, or the position of the surface upon which the hour lines are drawn. For example, an equatorial sundial is a plane sundial whose surface lies parallel to the plane of the equator; a horizontal sundial is a plane sundial whose surface is level; and a spherical sundial may be a segment of a sphere or a complete sphere. Class I consists of the hemispherium, the sphere, etc. They may be hollow, solid, concave, or convex. Class II comprises those sundials that are segments of a cone or a complete cone. They are rare and of ancient origin. There is no good reason why they should not be made today. The so-called "goblet" sundials that look like a wine glass with a vertical pin in the center, are conical sundials. Class III consists of two major subdivisions attached and detached, which include all stationary sundials drawn on plane or flat surfaces. Attached sundials are those affixed to or made a part of some structure.

Detached Sundials

Detached sundials are free standing. Class IV might very well be considered a major subdivision of each of the foregoing classes. It is separated because only those sundials are included whose function and relation to others is comparable to that of the watch to the clock. There are innumerable kinds of sundials, which generally fall in either Class I or III, but each class offers a great variety in form and position. After the class, type, or kind of sundial has been decided upon, the next step is to make sure the sundial is figured for your latitude. The only real way to determine this, if there is any doubt, is to check it yourself. It is not sufficient to check only the slant of the gnomon. If you are buying a sundial the position of the hour lines should be checked by making a small drawing of them and the angle of the gnomon, in accordance with the method outlined for that sundial. Compare your drawing with the sundial in the store. Most store salesmen will know less about sundials than you do. If you buy a sundial which has not been designed and computed for your place, it can be adjusted by studying the construction of reclining sundials. Therefore if a horizontal sundial is not laid out for the proper latitude it is not a serious thing for one who is willing to determine what adjustment should be made. Otherwise, don't buy it.

Buying Sundials: Choose a Cast Sundial

The next step and perhaps the most important one of all is that the sundial be well made, not only as to craftsmanship, but as to the accuracy of its construction. This will be shown when the check mentioned above is applied. Right here we wish to advise you to buy cast sundials. These sundials are made from a mold, are shipped around to various stores, and generally sell at low prices. They can usually be spotted because the shadow casting edge of the gnomon is often round; the hour lines are frequently wide and easy to read; the sundial Figure may be scooped for effect; the hour lines are sometimes raised and the gnomon will always be properly placed. You can buy a good sundial at a reasonable price.

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