List of VEMCO Compasses, Dividers, and Pens
Key:
🔴 “Red Dot” – Professional Model, chrome-plated or brushed steel. Edges ground to remove shear marks. Free repairs unless damaged by neglect or abuse (there was a small fee for repair of tools issued by schools).
🔵 “Blue Dot” – Premium Model, stainless Steel, edges ground and refined, later models bead blasted. Free repairs..
Though the finish levels and material qualities of each grade varied - as described above - when new, all grades functioned equally well. Because Vemco products are now only available as vintage, grade makes a difference, and more so over time. Both Yellow Dot and Red Dot instruments may now have rust, while Blue Dot instruments do not.
Material choices, edge treatments, and finish levels varied by grade and time. Empty fields indicate data that I could not find. Similarly, question marks indicate names I am not certain of.
4" Bow Compasses
X
Dot
Model
Leg Design
Min. Dia.
Max. Dia.
Notes
•
🔴
C-230 Original
1/16"
5 1/2"
Bright chrome finish.
•
🔴
C-231 Original
Pen Compass
4 1/2" Drop Bow Compasses
X
Dot
Model
Leg Design
Min. Dia.
Max. Dia.
Notes
🔴
D-710 Original
1/32"
2"
Brushed steel
•
🔵
SD-710 ????? Original
1/32"
2"
Brushed stainless steel
•
🔵
D-580 Final
Bead blast stainless steel
4 1/2" Bow Compasses
X
Dot
Model
Leg Design
Min. Dia.
Max. Dia.
Notes
🟡
????? Original
1/8"
6 1/2"
•
🔴
C-410 Original
1/8"
6 1/2"
•
🔴
C-411 Original
Pen Compass. Has a permanently attached inking nib.
•
🔵
SC-410 Original
1/8"
6 1/2"
Stainless Steel - Seen in S-171L set.
•
🔵
????? Final
Fine brushed stainless steel.
•
🔵
S-570 Final
Bead blast stainless steel. Has model number "S-570" stamped on the center thumbscrew.
6 1/2" Bow Compasses
X
Dot
Model
Leg Design
Min. Dia.
Max. Dia.
Notes
•
🟡
40-C Original
1/8"
10"
•
🔴
C-110 ShinyOriginal
1/8"
10"
Chrome plated finish. Comes in Vemco cardboard box.
•
🔴
C-110 BrushedOriginal
1/8"
10"
Fine brushed finish. Seen in blue velvet-lined case. A "POST" box labels it "9200" .
•
🔵
SC-110 Original
1/8"
10"
Stainless Steel - Seen in S-171L set.
🟡
????? Slimline
1/16"
13 1/4"
Smaller-width legs, and higher thumbscrew location.
🔴
?????
Slimline
1/16"
13 1/4"
Carbon Steel. Smaller-width legs, and higher thumbscrew location, described on back of packaging of the SC-500 .
🔵
SC-500 Slimline
1/16"
13 1/4"
Stainless steel. Smaller-width legs, and higher thumbscrew location.
•
🔵
????? Final
1/16"
13 1/4"
Fine brushed stainless steel. Large bow spring diameter.
•
🔵
L-560 Final
1/16"
13 1/4"
Bead blast stainless steel. Large bow spring diameter. Has model number "L-560" stamped on the center thumbscrew.
6 1/2" Speed Bow Compasses
X
Dot
Model
Leg Design
Min. Dia.
Max. Dia.
Notes
•
🟡
????? Original
•
🔵
SB-550 Later
Bead blast stainless steel. Instead of bow spring, it has a plastic erector. Has model number "SB-550" stamped on the center thumbscrew.
6 1/2" Friction Dividers
X
Dot
Model
Leg Design
Min. Dia.
Max. Dia.
Notes
•
🔴
F-328 shinyOriginal
7"
Bright chrome finish. Has metal erector, detents for opening grip, and original knurled handle.
•
🔴
F-328 brushedOriginal
7"
Brushed finish. Has metal erector, detents for opening grip, and original knurled handle.
•
🔵
SF-328 Original
7"
Stainless Steel - Seen in original packaging . Has metal erector, detents for opening grip, and original knurled handle.
•
🟡
42-C Later
7"
Has metal erector and original knurled handle.
•
🔴
????? Later
7"
Fine brushed steel finish and original knurled handle. Has metal erector.
•
🔵
SF-590 ????? Later
7"
Fine brushed stainless steel and triple knurling on handle. Has metal erector.
•
🔵
SF-590 ????? Later
7"
Bead blasted stainless steel and triple knurling on handle. Has metal erector.
•
🔵
F-590 Final
7"
Bead blasted stainless steel and triple knurling on handle. Has plastic erector.
Drawing Sets
X
Dot
Model
Name
Min. Dia.
Max. Dia.
Notes
🔴
A-171L Original Design Drawing Set
Described in Mossner Catalog 159 . Top grain genuine leather case with bright chrome: C-410 , C-110 , F-328 , 43P, P-314, lead/spare parts capsule.
🔴
A-171L Special Original Design Drawing Set
Top grain genuine leather case with bright chrome: C-410 , C-110 , C-230 , F-328 , P-314, lead/spare parts capsule. NOTE: the P-314 Microliner Ruling Pen is missing from this photo.
•
🔴
Post 9206 Original Design Drawing Set
Cardboard box with: C-110 , P-58 , P-65 , P-59 , lead/spare parts capsule.
🔴
????? Original Design Drawing Set
Blue velvet-lined hinged wooden box with: divider , C-411 , D-710 , C-410 , C-110 , P-58 , P-65 , Extra Long Drop Bow Needle, lead/spare parts capsule.
🔴
????? Original Design Drawing Set
Blue velvet-lined case with flaps and snaps: C-110 , P-58 , P-65 , lead/spare parts capsule.
•
🔵
S-171L Original Design Drawing Set
Top grain genuine leather case with: SC-410 , SC-110 , SF-328 , S43P , SP-314 , lead/spare parts capsule .
Beam Compasses
X
Model
Name
Max. Rad.
Notes
B-366-6
Beam Attachment
6"
Has an adjustable point. Attaches to a bow compass. Seen in red velvet-lined case.
B-366-12 Beam Attachment
12"
Has an adjustable point. Attaches to a bow compass. Packaged in a cardboard box. Can use the P382, 43P, or S43P pen attachments for inking, and any of the B-4458 Beam Extensions (with Coupler).
B-366-18
Beam Attachment
8"
Has an adjustable point. Attaches to a bow compass.
B-366-24
Beam Attachment
12"
Has an adjustable point. Attaches to a bow compass.
B-440-6
Velox Beam Compass
6"
Two ends, without need for a bow compass. Packaged in a cardboard box.
B-440-8
Velox Beam Compass
8"
Two ends, without need for a bow compass. Packaged in a cardboard box.
B-440-12 Velox Beam Compass
12"
Two ends, without need for a bow compass. Packaged in a cardboard box. The one shown here also has a 12" B-4458 Beam Extension (with Coupler)
B-440-18
Velox Beam Compass
18"
Two ends, without need for a bow compass. Packaged in a cardboard box.
B-440-24 Velox Beam Compass
24"
Two ends, without need for a bow compass. Packaged in a cardboard box.
B-440-36
Velox Beam Compass
36"
Two ends, without need for a bow compass. Packaged in a cardboard box.
B-4458
Beam Extension (with coupler)
6", 8, 12, 18, 24, 36
Available in 6 sizes. Attaches to any Beam Attachment or Velox Beam Compass.
?????????? Beam Compass Set
Three beams, two couplers, a P610 inking nib, plastic points/graphite cylinder, and two ends. Packaged in a lined metal case.
Accessories
X
Model
Name
Notes
NEEDLES
•
1-6 Shoulder Needle
This needle has a small, stepped-in point to limit paper penetration.
•
1-7 Divider Needle
This needle has a sharp tapered point.
•
P-59 Extension Shoulder Needle
For use with pen attachments on compasses. Has a small, stepped-in point to limit paper penetration.
•
S-59 Stainless steel Extension Shoulder Needle
For use with pen attachments on compasses. Has a small, stepped-in point to limit paper penetration.
????? Extra Long Drop Bow Needle
For use with a P-58 pen attachment on the D-710 Drop Bow Compass. Seen in the linked Red Dot box set.
COMPASS ATTACHMENTS
•
P-58 Compass Pen Attachment
Replaces graphite, and is used in conjunction with the P-59 Extension Shoulder Needle. Seen in blue velvet-lined case. Here is what it looks like in use.
•
PA-1 Technical Pen Adapter
-
•
PA-2 Technical Pen Adapter
For use with Leroy and Rapidograph pens. Here is the Instruction Sheet.
PENS
35p Long Blade Ruling Pen 5 1/2"
-
H610
Pen 5 1/2"
Stainless Steel
•
P-65 Ruling Pen 5 1/4"
Seen in blue velvet-lined case.
P-305 Long Blade Ruling Pen 5 1/2"
-
•
P-314 Microliner Ruling Pen
Bright Chrome
P-387
Micro Pen
Made up of P-382 Micro Pen Attachment and P-386 Micro Pen handle
•
SP-314 Microliner Ruling Pen
Stainless Steel - Seen in S-171L set.
HANDLES
P-386
Micro Pen Handle
-
PEN ATTACHMENTS
43P
Micro Pen Attachment
Bright Chrome
P610 Pen Attachment
Included in the Beam Compass Set.
P-382
Micro Pen Attachment
-
SP-382
Micro Pen Attachment
Stainless Steel - Seen in genuine leather case.
•
S43P Micro Pen Attachment
Stainless Steel - Seen in S-171L set.
CAPSULES
•
????? Spare Parts Capsule
For storing 1-6 shoulder needles, 1-7 divider needles, and/or spare leads.
