Vintage Spirograph Swing Marker Mystery
Maybe you can help Ron Peters, who wrote from the Netherlands, with a mystery:
EDIT: Aug. 13: See the bottom of this post for an update!
I (re-)discovered spirograph the 25th of June this year when I bought the starter pack with one ring and six wheels. The set was exactly the price of a pack of cigarettes in the Netherlands. I gave up smoking that day, successfully, and am very much involved in spirograph.
I have meanwhile gathered a collection of spirograph sets with the money I would have otherwise spend on smoking. Amongst them one from 1972 with a swing arm. Regretfully without the instructions, and I am very curious on how to use that piece. I have to admit I can not figure it out myself.
My question would be if you can help me out, or otherwise ask the visitors of spirographicart to clarify the “mystery”.
Note that the mystery piece has no teeth!
The only clue I see is on the cover of the box. It says ‘New “swinging action” designs!’ next to an unusual pattern:
Obviously this is a piece that didn’t make it to the next edition of Spirograph. If anyone has a booklet for this set, or can imagine how to use the toothless mystery “swing marker” piece to produce the design above, please let us know in the comments!
Here are the box cover and the rest of the set.
Apparently Spirograph can help you give up smoking! Congratulations, Ron!
EDIT August 13:
After looking at a photo referenced from a comment below, I had a “Eureka” moment about how it works. You don’t need a swing marker, folks, unless you want reproducible results and recipes to follow. I’m more of a slap-dash experimenter, myself.
It’s all about drawing a pattern while the ring is attached with only one pin (can’t do this with putty) and swinging between stops you’ve set with other pins. Bizarre, yes.
I’ll make a video when I get a chance (not for a couple of days at least). Meanwhile, I’ll share a picture of my initial experiments:
Some totally different designs can be obtained.
Note that I’m using a corkboard here as a working surface to stick the pins in, as I described in one of my very first posts on this blog, before the new Spirograph or Wild Gears came out. I can imagine the pivot pin will wiggle itself out in time, probably more quickly if you’re using a corrugated cardboard backing.
Video coming in a few days. Meanwhile, give it a try!
Here’s the link to the 1972 #421 instruction book containing information on the swing marker: https://www.ebay.com/itm/gf-1972-BOOKLET-Wheel-Kenners-Spirograph-Replacement-Piece-12/123147115982?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D53210%26meid%3D1bf5b3c704284c178d69587ccea4fcd4%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D352380749781%26itm%3D123147115982&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
There are several complete and incomplete 1972 #421 sets available today, with prices + shipping running around $30 or a little more. Most show the instruction book included with each set.
Instruction booklet for $10 plus $25 shipping to the Netherlands!
This image may be helpful: https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images4/1/1212/25/kenner-spirograph-421-complete-1972_1_cd653f47f930f279206fe73763ddfbe2.jpg
OMG. I think I get it. Something that could never be done with putty, that’s for sure. Drawing patterns with the ring swinging on one pin, with stops (pins) on both sides. Must try it. Will it work?!?
See my edit in the main post above, with a quick photo of my first experiments.
Great! I get it now. I thank you for solving the mystery, and I believe you had some fun too! I get on with it and post some pictures.
At a garage sale recently I bought a Spirograph Plus Kenner No. 14210 copyright 1982 for 50 cents. The box says New! Special Gyro-Arm Makes a wonderful Second Design as you Draw. Now Draw 2 Different, Colorful Designs at 1 Time. Unfortunately, the book is missing, but the pictures on the box show the gyro-arm making a kind of “warped” version of the regular design made inside a ring. Have you ever seen this Spirograph Plus? The gyro-arm is called a Cam Arm on the tray and is transparent yellow plastic. The other parts are all transparent blue plastic, darker than the new blue ones. The set has the ring holder (no pins), 2 rings, 1 rack (150), 13 wheels (no 36, 42, 50, 64, 75), 3 gears (no bar) and 3 ballpoint pens ( red, blue, orange) and 2 felt pens (red, blue). From the cover picture, the ballpoint pen is held in one end of the arm, going thru it to the wheel, and the felt tip stands up by itself in the other end of the arm outside the ring. Hope you have some info on this, and hope someone has the book!!! Thanks! I enjoy your site so much–so fun and helpful!
Great find! Is it the set in this video? If so, I’ve never seen one. If the book doesn’t show up, just experiment!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZkgejZ-U8
Yes!!! That’s the set in the video! Thanks so much for the information. I’ll keep searching for the book. I always look for any old Spirograph products at garage and estate sales. Keep up the good work with your website!
I have the European version of this Spirograph in my collection. It is in bad shape, but it has the booklet. Unfortunately it is full of scribbles, and the designs are barerely visible. Wheels are made from a soft plastic and the larger wheels can get warped, as my #84 and #72 did. It is a very poor try to make Spirograph better suitable for children. As stated, the pins are gone, and now you have to fix the paper and ring with a crude pinplate. Results are a bit feeble and wobbly, so this Spirograph is not a must have for the adult Spirograph lover.
My pens, colored pencils do not fit in the holes. I removed part of the plastic tip of one pen and it still was not long enough. The only thing I have that works is a No.2 wood pencil. It is a “New Kenner Spirograph.” Every thing is in the set except the pens.
What should I use or purchase to use with this set?
Barbara, see the “Spirograph Pens” tab in the menu. Discovering that fine point felt pens, in their multitude of colours, worked with my old Spirograph, is what made me start this whole website 8 years ago. There’s no point in lamenting the original ballpoint pens that came with the set. They sucked compared with felt pens. There are many other pens that work. Start with this post: https://spirographicart.com/2011/12/19/spirograph-pens/
Thank you so much for that information. I got my spirograph at a thrift store for $1.95. I can’t wait to start spirographing.
Wow, lucky you! The old sets are better made than the new ones. Have fun!
I’d like to see that swing bar video