Thank you for taking the time to read my bit of confused post.Hey folks-maybe I can get some pointers from some of you. I am now set to begin laying out structures (just sitting in place) to get the visual and keying in on my foam risers for the slight grades I will be putting in. I am going with 1.7% (MAX) on the mainline. This will be much easier on the trains then the prior set I had at 3%. The 3% was fine when I was running 4 loco consists and just shy of 50 cars. But overall it was too much on normal smaller operations and the fact that an occasional car coupler would just give with the pull. Problem statement: I don't want to rely on my levels/bubbles-with 1.7% (MAX) I want to be more precise and bubble allows to much uncertainty. I was browsing web for better tools and I found a measuring device for model railroad but it is measuring in degrees? I understand how to model percentage very well but I am no math wizard and don't understand how to use a degree tool and I think measuring in degree is not as effective as a percentage tool. I think 0 - 5 degrees is a relative percentage of about 0 to 8%??? This tool notes measure in 1 degrees which if the above is true won't work for me. http://www.micromark.com/precision-angle-gauge-4-1and2-inch-dia,7948.html I think it will be overall about 60 to 70 total feet in track to insure grade/levelness. I want to make sure that in the elevated area where I Have a service track going back to a lower level it is a much shorter distance which is fine because of the few cars moving along that line. The tool will help me decide if I am going to tweak the design to gain more distance or just reroute. There are no track crossings so the height is merely a visual to avoid all flatness-slope would be basically bottom left to top to right side. Anyhow my question after all of this is-would anyone recommend a tool(s) I could review to help me? I understand we should not be taking sides on manufacturers but if I had a few choices I hope that is allowable fairness to Train Board-I don't want to violate any rules nor anyone else to have. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
I second Gregs suggestions of Harbor Freight's Digital Angle Gauge. I have one from MicroMark that is very similar to the one from HF and I don't know how I could have built my helix without it.
