1-14-2008
Stan's Handy Converter for Model Railroaders
Essential Software Tools for Railroaders Modeling in Any Scale
Some actual comments from users ...
"This program is the answer to all my prayers"
"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"
"An excellent program, worth the price - and then some"
"Thanks for putting it all together!"
... and Walt writes about his upgrade, "I didn't think that which is near perfect could be improved, but it seems you did so."
Reviewers say ...
... any model railroader would find it becomes the tool of choice for several
of the jobs it does"
"A must-have for anyone modeling in more than one scale"
"What is Handy Converter?
Simply put, it converts between just about everything a model railroader could need!"
Latest Version: 12.3.1:
Choose any one of three screen sizes, and change the size at any time.
There's no excuse for eye strain for those of us with older eyes...
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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size. Demo: Video
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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size. Demo: Video
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,
Large Size or
Extra LargeSize. Demo: Video
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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size. Demo: Video
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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size. Demo: Video
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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size
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,
Large Size or
Extra 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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size. Demo: Video
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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size. Demo: Video
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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size. Demo: Video
(The calculator will also solve for length of run or gradient percent.)
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 wattage my throttle must deliver when it's supplying 1.25 amps at 24 volts DC. I enter these two values and learn
that the throttle is providing 30 watts, and the resistance of the circuit is 19.2 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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size . Demo: Video
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,
Large Size or
Extra Large Size. Demo: Video
You can also convert from °F to °C.
and you can convert from pounds and ounces to metric units. Sample Screen
There's more:
Curvature is a complex calculation, but Handy Converter makes it easy.
Sample Screen
If you're using 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 math calculator will appear.
Sample Screen
And - the program memorizes all of your preferences, such as modeling scale and units of measurement.
Program requirements: Windows 95 or later. The sample screens above are shown using Windows Vista.
Screen resolution of 800 x 600 or greater. The Extra Large Size feature requires a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 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, select Uninstall a program, found under Programs in the Control Panel.
To Purchase:
Click on a Buy Now button below to purchase the current version of this program.
Please contact me if you would rather use another form of payment.
Stan@StansTrains.com
Your money back if not completely satisfied.
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