Proper Scale for Details

[mcs1056]

With the exception of a future Saturn V rocket kit, everything I have is 1:24 or 1:25, and all cars or pickups. Since I haven’t built a model in 50 years, my current build will be as received in the box (painted, of course).

My question regards proper scale for detail parts for future kits. I like watching videos where builders add plug wires, bolt heads, and other custom details, and I want to do some of that myself. However, some folks put stuff on that’s way too big. It makes the finished product look amateurish. Plug wires and hoses come to mind.

So…I look at online catalogs, but don’t know if a 0.9mm hose joint is more to scale than a 1.5mm joint. As I’m housebound for a little bit longer, I can’t get to a hobby store to look, so I’m asking here.

What size stuff should I use?   

Mike

[peteski]

Mike, use whatever "stuff" will result in properly scaled items. We know that 1:1 scale dimensions of every part of a car, so all you have to do is to divide the 1:1 size by 24 or 25 to get the scale size. If we don't we can ask others for the proper 1:1 dimensions. Odds are someone will know the answer. Some 1:1 dimensions can be estimated. Then find materials which have those dimensions. It is not Saturn V rocket science.   Using this method, as you noted, the model will look realistic.

Some modelers are not too concerned about using over-scale items (like spark plug wires). Often because the oversize wire is cheaper and easier to obtain than in-scale wire. Many car modelers are a thrifty bunch.  Many go on-the-cheap and just use wires extracted from old electronic devices (radios, etc.) Yes, their models do not look super-realistic but if the modeler is happy with their model, that's all that counts.  Not everybody is super fastidious and detail-oriented.

Edited 22 hours ago by peteski

[johnyrotten]

Using metric dimensions makes it easier, but not fool proof. 3/8 is approximately 10mm for example. Common size for spark plug wires. There are many calculators online, and there's a ton of threads here on the forum about this. Everyone builds a little different,  you got individual's that anything goes, all the way to perfect replica level builders. Old charging cords, electronics solder, heat shrink tubing, even paperclips can be used for various parts and pieces. The wire out of twist ties is a good example. Just a matter of imagination and hunting the stuff down. 

[Bill Anderson]

I agree with the previous comments, but I have to add....   Sometimes an added part or detail may be technically out of scale, but looks more appropriate.  I've seen this work on structures and model RR equipment many times.  Of course I'm talking "within reason", but what it comes down to is that if the add on looks good/right to you, then it is just that.

[johnyrotten]

13 minutes ago, Bill Anderson said:

I agree with the previous comments, but I have to add....   Sometimes an added part or detail may be technically out of scale, but looks more appropriate.  I've seen this work on structures and model RR equipment many times.  Of course I'm talking "within reason", but what it comes down to is that if the add on looks good/right to you, then it is just that.

Great point. After all, we all do this because we enjoy it. 👍

[RancheroSteve]

A good rule of thumb - and a way to save a little time on doing math - is to keep in mind that 1mm is about 1 inch in 1/24-5 scale.

[mcs1056]

3 hours ago, peteski said:

Mike, use whatever "stuff" will result in properly scaled items. We know that 1:1 scale dimensions of every part of a car, so all you have to do is to divide the 1:1 size by 24 or 25 to get the scale size. If we don't we can ask others for the proper 1:1 dimensions. Odds are someone will know the answer. Some 1:1 dimensions can be estimated. Then find materials which have those dimensions. It is not Saturn V rocket science.   Using this method, as you noted, the model will look realistic.

Some modelers are not too concerned about using over-scale items (like spark plug wires). Often because the oversize wire is cheaper and easier to obtain than in-scale wire. Many car modelers are a thrifty bunch.  Many go on-the-cheap and just use wires extracted from old electronic devices (radios, etc.) Yes, their models do not look super-realistic but if the modeler is happy with their model, that's all that counts.  Not everybody is super fastidious and detail-oriented.

Gotcha. 

I'll just run out and take measurements off of some stranger's classic Mustang.

Oh. Wait. I'm housebound. 

Thanks for the math lesson, though.

Big help.

[peteski]

In my fastidious way of thinking I'm not sure why is everybody so afraid of the little basic math?   Why approximate when every friggin' phone has a calculator built-in. Same for home computers. They're on the Interwebs too.  No need to strain your brain to use the knowledge we learned in elementary school - just have your fingers do the walking on the calculator's keyboard and get an exact answer.

[mcs1056]

5 minutes ago, peteski said:

In my fastidious way of thinking I'm not sure why is everybody so afraid of the little basic math?   Why approximate when every friggin' phone has a calculator built-in. Same for home computers. They're on the Interwebs too.  No need to strain your brain to use the knowledge we learned in elementary school - just have your fingers do the walking on the calculator's keyboard and get an exact answer.

A simple, "I use x.xxmm for heater hose" would have sufficed. But no; you have to denigrate to try showing that you're the smartest guy on the web. You come across as the guy who thinks loud is smart.

People who know little are often too ignorant to know that they're ignorant.  

[Steve H]

If you use metric, 1mm equals 1” in 1:1 scale. 0.5 mm=half inch etc. Easy peasy. Maybe not EXACT, but verrrrrry close.

[RancheroSteve]

1 hour ago, peteski said:

In my fastidious way of thinking I'm not sure why is everybody so afraid of the little basic math? 

Just saying that the 1mm to 1" rule is a quick and handy way to find the right size of wire. For example, if I'm looking for a radiator hose that might be 2" in the full size world, I can go through my box of wire and look for something that's 2mm.

[Bainford]

1 hour ago, RancheroSteve said:

Just saying that the 1mm to 1" rule is a quick and handy way to find the right size of wire. For example, if I'm looking for a radiator hose that might be 2" in the full size world, I can go through my box of wire and look for something that's 2mm.

Yes, this is very handy to know. Further to that, it is also worth knowing that 1 mm = .040" (40 thou), which also makes for easy math; .040" = 1" in scale, .020" = 1/2", .010" = 1/4", .005" = 1/8", etc., and .080" = 2". 

Kudos to the OP for wanting to keep it in scale. Get yourself an inexpensive (but not plastic) set of dial or digital calipers. I much prefer dial myself, but one big advantage of the digital calipers is they can measure in both metric and imperial, which, given the above statements, can be very handy.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t measure much of anything.

I use the “estimation” approach.

If it looks right, it’s right.

Do I get everything exactly in scale?

Absolutely not.

But I do my fair share of scratch building parts, and I seem to do alright.

 

 

 

 

Steve

[Dr Cobra]

A good way to go with pre-wired distributors is one from ConnKur Model Accessories.  They are the most realistic looking distributors out there, many colors of wire and caps also.

[bobss396]

I use metric for everything. 1 mm.(.03937"... .040" .. close enough) = 1 inch. 

1.5 mm = 1.5", pretty close for radiator hoses. 

A quick and easy metric conversion: For example, convert 1.2 mm to inches, multiply the 1.2 x 4, and you get 4.8, now shift the decimal 2 places to the left and you get .048".

I do most of these in my head.

[mcs1056]

Thanks to the vast majority of you, who gave helpful replies. I'll be much closer to being the modeler (who) is happy with their model, (as) that's all that counts.

[peteski]

13 hours ago, mcs1056 said:

I'll just run out and take measurements off of some stranger's classic Mustang.

Oh. Wait. I'm housebound. 

Thanks for the math lesson, though.

Big help.

That's why in my first reply I stated "we can ask others for the proper 1:1 dimensions. Odds are someone will know the answer. Some 1:1 dimensions can be estimated." Or do some online research by yourself.  Internet is a wonderful resource.  Or did I misunderstood? I guess you question was not very clear to me, but it seems that others also responded to you with info on to how to convert 1:1 dimensions to scale.

After rereading your question I now suspect that you were asking how to get dimensions of the actual aftermarket scale parts, not the 1:1 parts.  If that's the case than my original answer still applies. Sense there are no detailed dimensional drawings for most aftermarket (scale) parts, if you want to know their actual dimensions you will have to reach out to the modeling community (like this forum) to see if someone has the parts in question and is willing to take measurements for you.  or reach out to the parts manufacturers or hobby shop owners to get this info.

Is that better, or am I still not understanding your question?

[SfanGoch]

15 hours ago, mcs1056 said:

A simple, "I use x.xxmm for heater hose" would have sufficed. But no; you have to denigrate to try showing that you're the smartest guy on the web. You come across as the guy who thinks loud is smart.

People who know little are often too ignorant to know that they're ignorant.  

Why don't you unbunch your shorts, man? If one can't perform elementary school-level arithmetic, that's a sad state of affairs. I guess fourth grade was the best three years of some peoples' lives.

[mcs1056]

1 hour ago, SfanGoch said:

Why don't you unbunch your shorts, man? If one can't perform elementary school-level arithmetic, that's a sad state of affairs. I guess fourth grade was the best three years of some peoples' lives.

Thanks. Good add to the conversation.

[stitchdup]

calm down guys,

[StevenGuthmiller]

I don't get all the hoopla.

Just google photos of the part or assembly that you're trying to recreate and build it as it looks in the photos as it relates to the other parts.

I mean seriously, who cares if the part you're making is a tenth of a millimeter off?

Is anybody going to get out a caliper and check it?

Like I said, if it looks in scale, it's close enough.

 

Sometimes you might get something a little too big or a little too small.

So what?

 

I will say though, that if someone has issues with something as simple as finding an ignition wire that looks correct, they might already be a lost cause.

I see wires on models that are so obviously too big, so often, that it truly baffles me.

 

I sincerely believe however that it's not so much that people have such bad perception that they can't see it.

It's more likely that they're so cheap that they won't spend a dollar on a correct sized wire, but would rather just rip the telephone wire out of their house and strip wire from their electronic equipment because it's free.

 

In the end, if you're unsure of the correct size for something like a plug wire, just ask.

Somebody is going to be able to give you that information.

And you can probably save yourself a lot of aggravation if you take that advice from someone who's going to give you an actual size, and not someone who's going to tell you to rip it out of the wiring harness of your desk top.

 

 

 

 

Steve

Edited 4 hours ago by StevenGuthmiller

[Hi-Po]

If you are not building a museum piece or a commissioned build where accuracy is a must have, then have fun and build it your way with what materials you may have on hand.  You are the only one that has to enjoy the finished project.

[mcs1056]

Funny, as I was unsure of the correct size, so I DID ask. Further, my fun comes from getting it right. I don't know if 40 years fixing airliners made me this way, or if I chose that career because I am that way. Regardless...right is right. 

I'll bow out of this conversation now, as I seem to have ruffled some feathers.

I do appreciate the many great questions, posts, and responses on this site. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, mcs1056 said:

Funny, as I was unsure of the correct size, so I DID ask.

I might have missed it, but did you ask for a size of a particular item?

If it's plug wires you're questioning, 32 AWG is what you need.

 

 

Steve

[peteski]

21 hours ago, mcs1056 said:

A simple, "I use x.xxmm for heater hose" would have sufficed.

I totally missed this one.

How could I give you simple answer? Dude, don't you realize that heater hose come in multiple  sizes?  Then the question what scale is your model.  1:8, 1:12, 1:16, 1:18, 1:20, 1:24, 1:25, 1:32, 1:43 are the common automotive model scales.  There is no single answer.  You specifically mentioned you are striving for accuracy, and  now you wanted a simple answer? 

I'm not going to even address the rest of your reply to me.