Gerry, As I recall, HO scale is 3.5 mm to the foot. 4 mm scale is 4 mm to the foot, also known as OO scale, and operating on HO guage track, unless operating on EM (European Metric) track (HO) or P4 track, which is finescale and different guage than HO (I think around 0.7414"). 7 mm scale is I believe pretty darn close to O scale, and is considered by some to be "true" O scale at 1/43 on O track, which then scales out to be 4' 8 1/2", unlike 1/48 where O guage is more like 5' 2".
I did not mention, but probably should have, that Alan Gibson's 4 mm wheels are made to P4 standards, which is FINESCALE, meaning that the flanges are not pizza cutters. They actually match P64 standards quite nicely. If you are building an eight-coupled engine you will need to include some kind of equalizing or springing to keep the wheels on the track, otherwise they WILL derail at any irregularity in the track. As regards using these "offscale" parts in S, I doubt they are really all that offscale. Smaller prototype wheels carry a lighter load and have finer spokes, etc. You can use an N scale "barrell" for an S scale "nail keg" quite nicely. You can also use an O scale "barrell" for an S scale "hogshead". Now, if you are putting "scale" wheels on an American Flyer engine, I might suggest using the 7 mm scale wheels because they will be bulkier and better match the "heft" of A F , of course that is if you find the right size wheels to begin with...... Regards, Darrell Smith --- In [email protected], "Gerry Evans dba Best of Show Model Builders" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > DARRELL: > Very interesting site that Alan Gibson has. Many kudos to you for posting the URL. For the uneducated and non-UK personnel, if you know, just how does these items mentioned stack up against 28mm figures, structures, etc., etc? And, what are 4mm and 7mm representative of? > Gerry Evans > In Flagstaff > From:Darrell Smith Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: new stuff for S gauge > > > > Tom, > > My suggestion for anyone needing "scale" S scale drivers is to check > out those made by Alan Gibson. Alan makes a wide variety of sizes and > styles. You can start with his products on this page: > > http://www.scalefour.org/ag/index.htm > > As you see, his products are listed for 4 mm scale and 7 mm scale. > Don't let this deter you. On the above page, click on "Locomotive > components - 4 mm". This page begins with locomotive wheels and > continues with many other parts and fittings. Before you get much > into the selection of sizes, I would suggest you thoroughly read the > page accessed by clicking on "Description". You will note that the 4 > mm scale wheels come with three axle sizes, OO, EM, and P4. Again, > don't let this deter you. These are standard 1/8" diameter rod, > merely cut to proper length for those guages. You can use any length > axle you want if you make your own. > > Return to the parts page and click on the "Steam Locomotive Driving > Wheels" link. On this page you will find over 75 different drivers > ranging in tread diameter from 11 mm up to 32 mm. (28" to 81" > diameter in S scale) There are often several styles of the same > diameter having differing number of spokes, differing styles of rim, > and drive rod bosses either in line or between the spokes. > > OK, now go back to the first page and follow the same route on the 7 > mm side: "Locomotive Components - 7mm". Be sure to read the > description page, as there are very notable differences of the 7mm > wheels from the 4mm. Of particular note is that these wheels now have > plastic centers with a square axle hole, necessitating a proper length > Alan Gibson axle, but also making quartering a cinch. On the listing > you will find drivers from a 21.0 mm tread diameter up to 56.0 mm > diameter. (53" to 141" in S scale) > > There is therefore an overlap of drivers sized 53" to 81" diameter in > both 4 mm and 7 mm scales. > > All this means that Alan has available drivers in diameters of 11.0 mm > all the way up to 56.0 mm. You should be able to find something > reasonably close to what you need unless you are needing Scullen > discs, BoxPox, or similar non-spoked drivers. > > If you contact Alan, ask about S scale, as I believe he has available > axles specifically for S. Whether these fit the 4 mm wheels, the 7 mm > wheels or both I don't know. > > Other suppliers of drivers for potential S scale use are: > > Railmaster (in New Zealand) > Precision Scale > Romford (I think in England) > North Yard (in New Zealand) > > Finding what you want from the above suppliers may be challengng. > > Good luck on your rebuild, I hope this helps. > > Darrell > > --- In [email protected], "Thomas Stoltz" <tstoltz@> wrote: > > > > Hello Boys, > > > > All this talk of what to manufacture next has reminded me about my > search > > for steam drivers. > > > > Does anyone know if they have materialized? I would like to try my > hand at > > upgrading a beater Flyer 283 into something which might remind you of a > > Reading 4-6-2. > > > > In fact, because I know nothing about this part of our hobby, any help, > > hints, how to's and where & what to buy would be most appreciated. > > > > Maybe I'll even get to it someday, > > > > Tom Stoltz > > > > Tom's Turnouts & Trackwork > > Maine S Gaugers > > NASG > > > > http://s-scale.org/albums/v/s-vendors/Stoltz/ > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
