Stan's Handy Converter for Model Railroaders
The Ultimate Software Toolbox for Railroaders Modeling in Any Scale
A few unsolicited comments from users ...
"This program is the answer to all my prayers"
"An excellent program, worth the price - and then some"
"A real boon to folks that work in more than one scale"
"This is THE ultimate modeler's tool, railroad or any type of scale modeling"
"I use this thing all the time. Great program. Thanks"
"Very informative software for this hobby"
"You've done a great job on the program, and I thank you for providing it to the modeling community at such a reasonable price."
"Absolutely a brilliant program. Has already helped me with my scratch building"
"An ingenious piece of software."
"Thanks for putting it all together!"
"Extremely easy to use and simplifies all the tedious conversion work."
"This little program is one of my most used. For railroading, for everything."
"Exactly what I needed for my railroad."
"I just want you to know how highly I value Handy Converter"
"The greatest tool for anyone interested in model railroading, of any scale."
"Extremely easy to use and simplifies all the tedious conversion work"
"PERFECT"
"In recessionary times like these, it's great to be able to get such a useful tool at such a low price. I highly recommend it."
"A must-have for anyone modeling in more than one scale"
"Any model railroader would find it becomes the tool of choice for several of the jobs it does"
"Simply put, it converts between just about everything a model railroader could need!"
New! Version 15
Change the size any time. Large Size is great for those of us with older eyes... Demo
You've found plans for a shed you'd like
to build in Large Scale. But the plans are in HO Scale.
Select the Any Scale to Another Scale tab, enter the HO measurements and click the Convert button. The program has eleven built-in scales, and if you're modeling in a scale not shown, just enter your scale in the Other box.
The correct setting for converting drawings from one scale to another on a copy machine is also shown. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video:Demo
What's the best wire size to use for your layout? Larger wire than needed could be expensive, but smaller wire may cause performance problems.
Determine the best wire size with the Wiring tab. View the wire size tables, and enter the length of the run and maximum load to determine the voltage drop from the power source to the rails. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video:Demo
New! Have you wanted to use LEDs to illuminate
your passenger coaches or your buildings but aren't sure how to do it?
Enter basic information on the LED Calculator tab, and your circuit will be quickly designed for you. You'll find Help screens at every step. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video:Demo
You can view the completed circuit design either as a wiring diagram or schematic. Sample Circuits: Wiring Diagram or
Schematic.
The manufacturer states that the loco you want to buy is 180 mm long. You'd like the length in inches.
Select the Metric Units to US Units tab, enter 180 and click the Convert button. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video:Demo
The US Units to Metric Units tab lets you convert from inches and feet to metric dimensions.
Sample Screen
On your vacation, you've measured a building that you'd like to model in HO scale.
Convert your real-world measurements to HO (or any other scale) by selecting the 1:1 to Model RR Scale tab, enter the measurement, and click the Convert button. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video:Demo
The Model RR Scale to 1:1 tab converts from scale to real-world dimensions.
Sample Screen
Just how fast is your train moving?
To calculate its scale speed, select the Scale Speed tab and enter the distance your train travels in a period of time. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video:Demo New!
Do you want to know the value of those resistors in the bottom of the junk drawer? Or perhaps you know the value you need but don't know what color bands to look for.
Both problems can be solved on the Resistor Calculator tab. Enter the color bands in the Resistor Identifier to find the value, or enter the value in the
Color Code Calculator to find the color codes. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large SizeVideo:Demo
If needed for reference, a color code chart is just one click away: Color Code Chart
You don't have to write down the results of each conversion as you use the program.
Click on the History tab to view - or print - all of your conversions at any time. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size
Updated.
You don't have the #68 drill that instructions call for. How much larger would a hole be if you used a 1/32 inch drill? What size tap drill is correct for a 0-80 screw? What are the clearance drill sizes for 4-40 screws?
Want to know what pilot drill to use for a #8 wood screw?
Click on the Drills & Screws tab. You'll find the answers to these questions along with data for hundreds of drill sizes and screws. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size
Want to make your own scale figures? If you buy them, what's the correct size for your scale?
Use the Scale Figures tab. Enter the 1:1 height to see the proper size and proportions for your scale figures - in either inches or metric. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video:Demo
You can also print an accurately scaled figure and easily modify the program's assumptions.
Constructing a locomotive shed and need to know what the size of that 4 x 8 should be in your scale?
Determine the correct scale size of lumber up to 16 inches wide and deep with the Scale Lumber tab. Find the proper size for rough-sawn as well as planed and dried lumber. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video:Demo
You have a run of 31 feet of track and must not exceed a 4 percent grade. What's the greatest rise in elevation you can have?
Use the Grades tab to find that you must not exceed 1.24 feet. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video:Demo
(The calculator will also solve for length of run or gradient percent.)
Updated.
Ohm's Law is a simple calculation, but can you remember what gets multipled or divided
by what? For an example, I want to
know what additional wattage my 12 volt DC power source needs to supply 0.1 amp to lights in a trackside building. I enter these two values and learn
that only 1.2 watts are needed, and the resistance of the circuit is 120 ohms.
The Ohm's Law tab provides an easy way to get answers to voltage, current, resistance and power. Just enter any two of these
parameters and the other two will be calculated. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video: Demo
New!
Planning an outdoor layout? Don't forget to allow for expansion of the rails due to temperature changes through the seasons.
Select the Thermal Rail Expansion tab to calculate how much the track length will change. Just choose your rail material,
then enter the anticipated temperature range and length of your track. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large SizeVideo:Demo
The manufacturer says that your train shouldn't be operated at a temperature over 40° C. Do you want to know the temperature in Fahrenheit?
The loco of your dreams weighs 220 grams. Would you like to know its weight in pounds and ounces?
Select the Temperature & Weight tab to get the answers. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size. Video: Demo
You can also convert from °F to °C.
and you can convert from pounds and ounces to metric units. Sample Screen
New!
You won't need a pad of paper beside you for updating your wish list, or to write down your thoughts and ideas as you use the program.
The Notes tab is a convenient place to store information. Your notes will be saved when you exit the program, and loaded automatically
the next time you use it. Sample Screens: Standard Size or
Large Size
There's more:
Curvature is a complex calculation, but Handy Converter makes it easy.
Sample Screen
Updated. If you're using Aristo-Craft, LGB or Piko large scale track for your layout, you'll appreciate this useful information.
Sample Screen
Click on the icon at the lower left corner of any screen, and a multifunction calculator will appear.
Sample Screen Video:Demo
And - the program memorizes all of your preferences, such as modeling scale and units of measurement.
Program requirements: Windows 95 through Windows 7. The sample screens above are shown using Windows Vista.
Screen resolution of 800 x 600 or greater.
Note: If you are upgrading from a previous version of this program, uninstall it before installing the newer version.
Use the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs feature to do this.
In Windows Vista or Windows 7, select Uninstall a program, found in the Control Panel.
To Purchase the Program on CD:
FREE SHIPPING! Order a self-installing Version 15 CD for only $18.95 including shipping Worldwide. It will be
shipped the next business day. Photo
[I have reluctantly increased the price for the CD. My costs have increased significntly.)
Click on a Buy Now button below to purchase the current version of the program. Please contact me if you would rather use another form of payment.
You've found plans for a shed you'd like
to build in Large Scale. But the plans are in HO Scale.
What's the best wire size to use for your layout? Larger wire than needed could be expensive, but smaller wire may cause performance problems.
New! Have you wanted to use LEDs to illuminate
your passenger coaches or your buildings but aren't sure how to do it?
The manufacturer states that the loco you want to buy is 180 mm long. You'd like the length in inches.
On your vacation, you've measured a building that you'd like to model in HO scale.
Just how fast is your train moving?
New!
Do you want to know the value of those resistors in the bottom of the junk drawer? Or perhaps you know the value you need but don't know what color bands to look for.
You don't have to write down the results of each conversion as you use the program.
Updated.
You don't have the #68 drill that instructions call for. How much larger would a hole be if you used a 1/32 inch drill? What size tap drill is correct for a 0-80 screw? What are the clearance drill sizes for 4-40 screws?
Want to know what pilot drill to use for a #8 wood screw?
Want to make your own scale figures? If you buy them, what's the correct size for your scale?
Constructing a locomotive shed and need to know what the size of that 4 x 8 should be in your scale?
You have a run of 31 feet of track and must not exceed a 4 percent grade. What's the greatest rise in elevation you can have?
Updated.
Ohm's Law is a simple calculation, but can you remember what gets multipled or divided
by what? For an example, I want to
know what additional wattage my 12 volt DC power source needs to supply 0.1 amp to lights in a trackside building. I enter these two values and learn
that only 1.2 watts are needed, and the resistance of the circuit is 120 ohms.
New!
Planning an outdoor layout? Don't forget to allow for expansion of the rails due to temperature changes through the seasons.
The manufacturer says that your train shouldn't be operated at a temperature over 40° C. Do you want to know the temperature in Fahrenheit?
New!
You won't need a pad of paper beside you for updating your wish list, or to write down your thoughts and ideas as you use the program.
Curvature is a complex calculation, but Handy Converter makes it easy.
Updated. If you're using Aristo-Craft, LGB or Piko large scale track for your layout, you'll appreciate this useful information.
Sample Screen
