Hello, Would anyone have any ideas on how to convert a regular ruler into a Z scale ruler? i.e. where to drill the holes for 195°, 220° etc. anything close enough for railroad work would be fine! I'm looking to make those awesome centerbeam cars sail right through the turns, will have some time to play tomorrow. Thanks for comments! Mike D.
Hi Mike, those are radius, so if you drill a hole in a thin flat strip of wood or plastic near the end of the strip, call it 0, then measure 195mm, and 220mm, and drill your holes that far from zero to make the radius tool. If you are doing Z Bend Track modules, drill holes at 9" and 10" to use for small end modules. I'm happy you like the Centerbeam cars!
Here is my curve template for my N scale layout made so it has several different radii on it. The portion of the template with the center point hole has been removed, but it could still be usable in some cases, depending on how much room you have. This is 0.75 inch blue construction foam. BTW, the "instrument" in the lower right corner is a blender. You have to have one of those for scenery! :happy19pb:
Flash, great variation. I like the dual radii option from the slot holes. I made mine from "white board", a 3mm 1/8" compressed material with a gloss surface. Available in the US at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Calculate the arc with a 1/4 or 1/2" offset and place a hole (see "+" at bottom straight edge) so you can swing the guide for larger circles. Make the arc with a string/wire and pencil/pen or, use any wooden ruler (yard/meter stick) with simple hole in it. Place a hole at 1"/cm and then measure 1"/cm more than needed and drilll another hole. Many yardsticks are only marked on one side. Make your "offset" holes and then flip it over to mark you "corrected" measurements.
I just use a yard stick with a nail at one end and holes drilled for a pencil to fit through on the other. The one I have has about 10-12 different radius's on it, if I need another I just get out the drill. It's like using a big compass.
Thank You All for your comments and photos!!! With your help and quick reply's I was able today, to make the template I will need. I should be able to lay my track this weekend. Before I asked this question last night this job looked as clear as Chinese algebra!! I'm much obliged to you all! Had I known you'd be so helpful I would have asked for todays lottery. Alas I read in the fine print, one question/per customer/per day.... well there's always tomorrow! best regards, Mike D.
Actually, Chinese algebra is quite easy. Just need to show you the power of an abacus. Remember those infomercials where there were various "geniuses" up against kids tought to do mental math (with the tempory help of their fingers)? Yep, that easy. Good to hear your progress. Unless you are using Marklin sectional track or building a CAD based layout based on it, make sure you use the largest radius possible. We use at least 10 & 11" (255 and 280mm) on the outer tracks as an emergency module. Otherwise, we use 15" (380mm) as the minimum. It looks and runs SOOOooo much better. Matches better with the sorta 19" (490mm) radius of the turnouts. That's of course if you have the room.
