Z Scale Standards

[DKS]

I'm developing a track and wheel gauge for Z Scale, and I'd like to get a discussion going about its design. The proposed tool is here: http://nztproducts.blogspot.com/2011/06/next-tool.html

Thanks.

[Scottl]

If I modeled Z, I would love this!  I like how you have incorporated additional features into a larger package.  One thought, how about a hole in the upper center so you can put a string through it?  I drilled one into my N version to make it handy for carrying or hanging off your rear view mirror.

[DKS]

If I modeled Z, I would love this!  I like how you have incorporated additional features into a larger package.  One thought, how about a hole in the upper center so you can put a string through it?  I drilled one into my N version to make it handy for carrying or hanging off your rear view mirror.

Thanks for the suggestion. Actually, it does have a hole in it--the coupler height gauge. I can add another to make it easer. The clearance gauges I made for Z all have holes in the middle.

[davefoxx]

DKS,

That looks great.  I wish you and your new business the best of luck.  Whatever products you offer that I can make use of, I will certainly support you with a purchase.

The one suggestion that I have for you on the Z scale standards tool is to make the flangeways portion of the tool two prongs rather than one.  I have been known to use this portion of my N scale tool to "screed" the flangeways when I pave my roads across the tracks.  Two prongs makes this much easier to control.

Ooh, here's a strange idea.  Make a railroad crossing tool, which would allow the rails to stick up ever so slightly above the road and cut/check the flanges at the same time.

DFF

[DKS]

DKS,

That looks great.  I wish you and your new business the best of luck.  Whatever products you offer that I can make use of, I will certainly support you with a purchase.

The one suggestion that I have for you on the Z scale standards tool is to make the flangeways portion of the tool two prongs rather than one.  I have been known to use this portion of my N scale tool to "screed" the flangeways when I pave my roads across the tracks.  Two prongs makes this much easier to control.

Ooh, here's a strange idea.  Make a railroad crossing tool, which would allow the rails to stick up ever so slightly above the road and cut/check the flanges at the same time.

DFF

Dave, thanks for the good wishes and the ideas. As it is, one could use the check gauge/span part of the tool for the use you describe... assuming one would want to risk damage to a precision measurement device, that is. I've actually thought of making a special, separate tool just for the purpose of cleaning out flangeways, more or less as you describe. As for the flangeway part, I kept it as a single prong so that it would work properly for min/max measurement; two prongs would prevent this. Some switches actually have two different flangeway widths for the guardrail and frog, which would also be difficult to measure with two prongs. Ideally the guardrail flangeway should be in spec, while the frog flangeway can be slightly too wide, and the switch will still work (actually better for it, especially in Z).

[davefoxx]

Gotcha!  That makes sense to use the flangeway tool as you describe.  I've never used Z scale track, so that wasn't obvious to me.

As for the flangeways scraper in my last post, I cleared the flangeways before the plaster set up too hard (and after clearing most of it with an Xacto knife), so to avoid any damage to the tool.  More to just clean up the crossing with consistent flangeways than to actually clear the flangeways.  Doing it this way, I've never experienced any noticeable damage to my N scale gauge.  Looking back at your standards tool, the check gauge would probably work.  You have clearly put some significant thought into this tool.  Bravo, my good man!

DFF

[Catt]

Mr.Smith,about this flangeway tool idea,if that is going to be it's only use (if you make one that is) how about doing a Z one on one end and N scale on the other for those of us who are Bi-scalers. ;D

[DKS]

I'm probably not going to make them. It doesn't look as if there's enough interest to make it profitable.