Scale charts?

[Swamp Yankee]

I've got plans for a Macomber 15, and the scale is 1.5"= 1.0'. My math is pretty bad so I was wondering if there is a sort of scale chart that lists the many possible conversion. For example, if a part measures 5 1/8 on the plans, is there a chart available I could just look at to make the conversion. Thanks.

[Ron Carter]

Architect's scale will have a 1.5"/foot on it. Just measue the print and read the full size dimension. Accuracy will be required as every error will be magnified 8X.

[Tom Lathrop]

Got a cheap calculator? Even a simple one will do the job. 1.5" to 12" is a scale factor of 8 so just multiply everything by 8. that is, 5 1/8" = 5.125 so that is 5.125 x 8 = 41".

As Ron says, a drafting scale is what most of us will use for anything less than 12" on the drawing.

[Swamp Yankee]

Excellent! I've got a cheap calculator and will get an architects scale THANKS!

[Clencher]

Here's another piece of kit useful for doing scale work - a proportional dividers. The slide adjusment allows it to be set to any scale - but 1:8 is about its limit. Useful for the detailed stuff. Also Swamp, if you can't get hold of an architects scale over the Easter weekend with places being closed, if you have a ruler graduated in eighths then an eighth on your ruler is an inch full size. Architects scales are better as they are very accurately graduated.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL370/9115650/16752884/309706474.jpg

[Don Z.]

Wouldn't a spreadsheet program like iWork Numbers or Microsoft Excel do this in a few minutes?

[Bob Cleek]

Or, if you have access to a xerox machine that enlarges, you can xerox a ruler at 1.5 times magnification and just use that. This trick of making your own custom rulers is particularly helpful if you are doing any patternmaking. It's a simple thing to make a patternmaker's scale that will allow for the shrinkage factor on whatever metal you intend to cast.

Or you can learn to do fractions in your head like they did back in the old days before pocket calculators!

[Hwyl]

, and the scale is 1.5"= 1.0'.


Or, if you have access to a xerox machine that enlarges, you can xerox a ruler at 1.5 times magnification and just use that. This trick of making your own custom rulers is particularly helpful if you are doing any patternmaking. It's a simple thing to make a patternmaker's scale that will allow for the shrinkage factor on whatever metal you intend to cast.

Or you can learn to do fractions in your head like they did back in the old days before pocket calculators!

Would help if you could read like they did in the old days too.

[Roger Cumming]

Forget all the calculations, paper xerox scales, proportional dividers. Just buy a cheap triangular architect's scale for $10 or $20. It will have 12 different scales including the 1 1/2" to the foot scale and will be a useful tool in your kit. Any art/architect's supply will sell you one. Try www.charrette.com in MA

[ChrisBen]

Make sure you get the "Engineer's scale" as opposed to the "Architect's scale". The architect's scale has 10=1 foot, 20=1 foot, 30=1 foot, 50=1 foot and 60=1 foot. The engineer's scale has 1/8"=1', 1/4=1', 1/2"=1', 1/32"=1', 3/16"=1', 1/16"=1', 3/8"=1', 3/4"=1', 1 1/2''=1' and 3"=1'.

[Swamp Yankee]

I think the "rule of 8" and the proper ruler/scale will be just what I need. Thanks again

[Roger Cumming]

ChrisBen, you have it reversed: the engineer's scale has 6 scales - 1"=10', 20', 30', 40', 50' and 60', The architect's scale has 12 subdivisions from 3/32" = 1'-0" up to 3"=1'-0".

[ChrisBen]

ChrisBen, you have it reversed: the engineer's scale has 6 scales - 1"=10', 20', 30', 40', 50' and 60', The architect's scale has 12 subdivisions from 3/32" = 1'-0" up to 3"=1'-0".You got that right Roger. I remembered from high school drafting, 30+ years ago, that there was a difference between the two. What are the chances that the one website I looked at had them reversed¿
Order Fulfillment and Across the ... - Google Book Search (http://books.google.com/books?id=dH_8ZRamyCQC&pg=PA85&lpg=PA85&dq=engineer+triangle+scale&source=web&ots=qdX4Lk6PZ0&sig=4flLi3XRKM-CWktXanb9qfvQKQQ&hl=en#PPA85,M1)

[DavidC]

I wouldn't use photocopied plans - 1:1 or enlarged.
While the technology has been getting better and better, you can still see up to an approx. 2% difference either way in a photocopied document -- and it is inconsistent from page to page, even from the same machine.
DC

[Swamp Yankee]

Thank you all very much. This is gonna be easier than I thought.