Basic patterns drawn with pen in Hole No. 1 in each of the 18 round Wheels in the original Spirograph and Super Spirograph. Note that some versions, the ones with the shaped wheels, including the new Spirograph Deluxe Set by Kahootz Toys, do not have round wheels 36, 50 and 64.
The NUMBER OF THE WHEEL used is shown in PURPLE.
The number of POINTS in each pattern is shown in GREEN.
Just noticed, the #48 patterns on both rings are erroneously labelled #45 🙂
Whoops! Thanks for pointing that out! I have corrected them.
So I have the new set and I have some questions. What the heck is the rack and bar for? HOW do you use them?! And why aren’t my lines as smooth as they should be?
The rack: you can stick it to your paper and run wheels around it, just as you can run wheels around the outside of a ring. It creates elongated patterns.
The bar is a funny, tricky little thing that creates a unique pattern inside a ring. I started writing a blog post on it but haven’t finished it yet. Better to get used to using the wheels first. And that takes practice, learning to let the wheel guide the pen as much as the pen guides the wheel. Your lines will get smoother with practice.
Still can’t figure out the bar. #144 and 150.
A reminder for me to make a video about it.
Did you ever make that video? My daughter just got a small set for Christmas and it included the bar. She is asking me how to use it. Any helpful tips would be appreciated. Thanks.
No, sorry I haven’t. I started one on the oval wheel but haven’t put it together yet. There is a good general intro video made by someone else which I added on a post. See the homepage for that. Thanks again for the reminder.
Yes. You’ll find it here: https://spirographicart.com/2016/06/05/intro-bar-wheel/
Hello. Just found your site on Spirograph, and find it very interesting. Is there anyway to replace the “missing” wheels (especialy 64), or perhaps use another of the remaining wheels? I would miss being unable to make the triangular shape.
Indeed. I don’t know why Kahootz left 64 out of the “Deluxe” set. But it’s in their new Super Spirograph.
I don’t know if 3-D printing can manufacture pieces to the precision needed, but that would be awesome. Otherwise, the best you can do is look for an old set on E-bay or somewhere.
Thanks. that’s good to know. Hmmm… if the 3D worked, maybe someone could run off a batch and sell them on ebay, I’m sure they would be snatched up fast. Just a thought.
I have the Super Spirograph one, but I don’t know how to use both racks at once to make special patterns
It’s on my list of things to do. I haven’t tried it since I was a kid. When I do, I’ll make a video.
So I did make videos on using both racks to make patterns. They’re here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga06ft-HWro&list=PLAkN3L7a4VuMzBX-T0fWLEQlPUB1JyADS
When I was a kid I use little push pins to hold my Spirograph wheels. I purchased a used one from a friend and it had everything but the book. So,I went online and was able to find A Spirograph Guide. Thank you so much for posting this!!!
I have one question, why the puddy and not the pins?
Advantages of putty over pins:
(1) You don’t need to use a special backer board. In my family, when I was a kid, we soon had so many holes in the corrugated cardboard backer board that it didn’t work so well anymore. We cut more out of ordinary cardboard boxes but they weren’t usually thick enough, and they left a ridged pattern on the paper. Later I discovered that a cork bulletin board worked better (see https://spirographicart.com/2011/12/20/a-better-working-surface/). But then the new version came out with putty, and I didn’t look back. With putty, you can even draw spirographs on the wall, or directly on your fridge (if your mommy lets you, ha ha).
(2) You don’t get pin-holes in your paper. That’s nicer if you’re making cards, for example, or artworks you want to frame. See (https://spirographicart.com/2017/11/11/making-cards-spirograph-wild-gears/).
(3) Some people have trouble picking up the little pins, and they’re less safe if there are little kids around.
(4) Pins can break or get lost easily. You can find poster putty anywhere, but if you want to replace your pins, you need to find “map pins”.
i was also wondering about the putty. i agree the pin holes were often not pretty but i wonder how well the putty will hold the rings, etc. i am on house arrest through the summer (COVID19 and leave from work) so i am looking forward to creating wonders of the world.
Just your Average 55 year old man here haha
The putty holds the rings just fine. Just make sure you don’t have any sticking out into the space where it would catch the moving wheel.
Where can I get the spirograph rings
See https://amzn.to/4aMcnHS (affiliate link)