Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

Recommended Posts

This question, or something similar, comes up rather often.

An understanding of "scale", fractions, and their decimal equivalents can be helpful.

If you have a piece of "tree" that measures 1/8 of an inch, use your calculator to divide 1 by 8. That will give you the decimal equivalent of 1/8, which is 0.125.

Say you're working in 1/25 scale. Because 1/25 scale means that a real car would be 25 times larger than a model in 1/25 scale, to find out what size your part of "tree" would be in full-size, you simply multiply 0.125 by 25. That gives you 3.125 inches, or about 3 1/8 inches. Your piece of "tree" represents a full-size piece of tubing that is 3 and 1/8 inches in diameter.

If you understand "scale" and some simple math, you have everything you need to easily figure out any size, in any scale.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can get styrene rod or tube from Evergreen in lots of different sizes. It will be consistently round and not have a mold parting line. I believe the standard length is 12 inches. That might make the project a lot more practical.

Edit:

Evergreen also publish a book on using their styrene products to scratch build and modify models. Definitely worth picking up...IMHO.

Edited by LDO
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have bought evergreen 020" thick, angle .100 and as soon as you pick them up they are flimsy they bent to easily, and afraid they wont be able to support cars. I notice a scale chart on back of one of the packages, and I am going to go with the scale chart. because the .03. .030 and .100 are nice made but to flimsy . I will post the picture and a picture of the chart. and you will see this for Reference purpose. and thank you for the help and getting back to me , no I am not calling you all out on. but this morning when I notice the chart, I will be going with that and thank you.

post-14237-0-33917400-1408185825_thumb.j

post-14237-0-96732900-1408185841_thumb.j

post-14237-0-74202600-1408185860_thumb.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A single one inch STEEL tube won't support a REAL CAR very well either, loaded in "bending"...it will bend under weight.

You MIGHT LOOK at some REAL structures, and see how the elements are arranged and HOW they all inter-relate to give a structure strength.

.040 plastic rod loaded in compression, tension or shear WILL support a model car, but NOT if it's loaded in BENDING..

A knowledge of structures and how they work might also be useful.

Modelers ROUTINELY build trailers, roll-cages, frames, etc....ALL from scale-appearing PLASTIC, with no problems.

Calling us out?? We've all given you CORRECT information. (PS. I'm an engineer.)

14014_74_1.jpgtypes_of_stresses.jpg

In the REAL world, structures are made up of combinations of "flimsy" pieces, put together in such a way as to "reinforce" each other and support loads that are MUCH greater than any individual piece could carry on its own. The truss is a simple example. Each element of a truss is a "flimsy" piece of material, and has limited strength.

S1250E4F.GIF

Put together CORRECTLY, these little "flimsy" pieces will support a MASSIVE weight...

durango%20steel%20through%20truss%20prof

Edited by Ace-Garageguy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

here is a few pictures that I have taken to make support ramps, but I have used the extra plastic trees from the Galaxie 38 foot fifth wheel trailer. and then I am trying to make a custom transport trailer, and then I took this ramp support apart, and the 3 4 AND 5 PICTURES WILL SHOW YOU. I JUST MIGHT ORDER THE EXTRA RAMPS AND EXTRA PLASTICE TREES FROM GALAXIE. THANK YOU ALL picture will show you what I am trying to do

post-14237-0-74556200-1408214944_thumb.j

post-14237-0-70424700-1408214960_thumb.j

post-14237-0-16059000-1408215144_thumb.j

post-14237-0-15782700-1408215180_thumb.j

post-14237-0-88682000-1408215196_thumb.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like you're moving in the right direction.

Bear in mind that, although many highway standards are specifying 17'6" clearance for new-construction underpasses, there are MANY in the country that are still 14'6". Many jurisdictions also limit overall vehicle height to 13'6".

This could be a problem with a car over the roof of the truck cab.

293c3912e26f667d8d623ed86e418410.jpg

Edited by Ace-Garageguy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

well if they can't read and over pass height sign, then they should not be driving 18 wheels, and I have seen car on top of the cab. and I alos hook up my daughter model trailer to the the tractor and it is the same height. plus I used to drive big rigs for a living I need to build the trailer. which no model company out their is going to re issue them ever again. and I don't like ebay, and but yes they have them on their too.

post-14237-0-02075700-1408274136_thumb.j

post-14237-0-95686200-1408274159_thumb.j

post-14237-0-02100500-1408274271_thumb.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites

why was 13'6" selected for overpass height?

13' 6" seems to be the height of overpasses either built before federal standards first came about with the start of the construction of the US Interstate Highway System (the Interstate Highway standard is 16'), certainly with highway overpasses first built back in the 1920's and 30's (lots of those still in use!), or due to either bridge settling or pavement overlaying (another helping of asphalt Mr Maindrag?).

All those lower clearances probably stem from the fact that when those overpasses and bridges were first bulit, trucks and busses were nowhere near as tall as they are today; and of course the full name of the Interstate Highway System is "The Interstate and Defense Highway System" meaning they were designed to handle just about any military equipment.

Art

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...