Where can I rent or borrow an hourglass?

November 15, 2007 9:15 AM

Where can I rent or borrow a good-sized hourglass in Southern California?

I'd like to use an hourglass as a prop for an upcoming speech. I don't anticipate needing the hourglass after the speech, and I hate clutter, so I don't particularly want to buy one. Said hourglass needs to be about 7-8 minutes in duration, and not one of those tiny game-sized timers, so it can be seen in a medium-sized room.

Prop store? Ye Olde Hourglass Rental? Any ideas?

posted by RikiTikiTavi to grab bag (4 comments total)

Modern Props seems to have two.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:26 AM on November 15, 2007

I suppose I should have realized that there are prop companies in Los Angeles. They do not ship, and that is a bit of a drive for me from San Diego. Thanks for the pointer, though--I'm of course hoping for local and free but we'll see.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 9:50 AM on November 15, 2007

A chandlery, (marine supplies shop), should have one, if you're willing to buy one. Try your yellow pages.

I don't think 7 minute or 8 minute hour glasses are common outside of math puzzles, but you could remove some sand by drilling a small hole with a glass-type drill bit (or a brass tube and abrasive slurry).
posted by sebastienbailard at 10:47 AM on November 15, 2007

For completeness's sake, you can get an hourglass kit and fill it with 7 minutes of sand:
http://www.hourglasses.com/html/hourglass_kits.html
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:11 PM on November 15, 2007