Is your desktop level? I had that problem on an old oak “teacher’s” desk I was using, and it turned out to be an otherwise imperceptible bulge on the surface.

Also, try not using the outermost pen hole at first. Sure they give sharper points, but the inner holes are easier.

You might also find it easier to get used to the smaller rings first before tackling the bigger ones.

Lastly, those of us who make videos don’t usually show the bloopers!

Have fun with it!

Well pension day arrived. got my full page gear set from Wild Gears. I am very happy with it. My experience with it so far has been pleasing. Aaron the owner has been easy to contact and answer any of my questions.
I did consider Planarc but decided to purchase Wild Gears due to vast catalogue of sets available. Price is a factor for me. I decided the Wild Gears was worth it for me. Each to their own.
I would also like to add the Wild Gears arrive very well packaged. The backing holding the gears was not difficult to remove.
So for me Wild Gears works.

With regards to differences between wheels, distance between holes and distant to first hole, Heather’s assumptions are correct. I had a look at the GB Spirograph Patent.

It stipulates, on page 2, lines 11 to 22:

(a) Each successive aperture 7* in the spiral relationship is progressively closer to the geometric centre of the member by an equal and standard difference in radial position.
(b) The geometrical centres of the apertures lie on radial lines which intersect the external tooth form of the periphery at points which are one quarter of the pitch of the teeth distant from the centre of a tooth.
(c) The outermost aperture is a constant distance from the externally toothed periphery of each member.

* This number refers to the label for the holes, in the drawings supplied with the patent application.

Interestingly, there are patents for many of Denys Fishers other Spirograph and similar toys, including the: GB Super Spirograph Patent.

I like that idea. The cogs are turning in my head … the inventor/carpenter cogs, not the Spirograph cogs.

I have an original Denys Fisher Spirograph and have just purchased the Play Monster (formerly Kahootz) Super Spirograph and found the same problem.

The new wheels are slightly deformed, meaning they ride up and slip. I’ve been using my old wheels with the new racks, and had much better success. I also took the plunge and bought two original Denys Fisher Super Spirograph sets from eBay, so I can make a complete original Super Spirograph set.

I was thinking of selling the modern Super Spirograph set, but realised that the odd shaped wheels aren’t in the original Denys Fisher one, so looks like I’ll be keeping them all!

Mind you, even in the box, I still have to carry my original Denys Fisher Spirograph flat, otherwise they just bounce out. If you really wanted to go to town, a lightweight wooden carrycase, foam lined on the lid would be just the ticket! Although it’d be a lot of work too.