what would the dimensions be for an ho scale side walk ie width, thickness ect. also does any body know how to figure an actual building down to scale, that is I have the dimensons of a building and want to scratchbuild it down to ho scale. any help would be appreciated [sigh]
HO is 1/87 real life. If your target building is 87 feet high, your model would be 1 ft high.
If your building is 20 ft high…20/87=.229ft x 12=2.75 inches
thanks spacemouse that helps alot
If you have plans, you can adjust them to HO size using a copier. A copier enlarges and reduces mathematically and accurately enough for model work. Just determine the percentage of increase or decrease in size from your drawing and you’ll have it. You could even take digital photos of the building in question and size them correctly then cut out the images and mount them on a suitable material for a dead on accurate model.
Here is a guide for HO scale dimensions.Feel free to print out,I know its from MR but I dont think they will mind as long as it benefits the modeler.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/shortyo1957/album/576460762381185140
Curbs are aprox .080 high in HO scale. I make them to go under the buildings. I nail & glue 1/8 masonite to the base (street level) cut .125 x.080 styrene strips to represent the curb. Glue it to the edge of the masonite & use joint compound to build the road up about .045. The plaster makes the road look " right" . I paint the road with various shades of black using craft paint. You can then very lightly scratch the lane dividers thru the paint & the white plaster shows thru. have fun.