i know I have seen this topic and the answer before, but I can’t find the reduction percentage. how would I print out N scale building plans from an HO plan?
HO is 1/87.1, N is 1/160 - so the different between the scales is 87.1/160 or .544. So if you reduce the HO plan by .544 or 54% it should be right for N. On a copier the best you are likely to get is 54% reduction, close enough.
This does not apply to track plans - certain things like the 1:1 operator walking through the aisles do not scale.
–Randy
I think that is going in the wrong direction, depending on how the copier or software works. You want to reduce it to 54.4% of the HO size, not by 54.4%. N scale is a bit larger than half HO.
I have found that it’s almost always better to just redesign from scratch in the new scale. Aisles are the most obvious reason, but there are dimensional differences in components (turnouts, crossings, etc.) in different product lines in the two scales.
Of course, a lot depends on what kind of plan the Original Poster is considering.
http://www.awrr.com/table5.html
Cheers, the Bear.
I’m wondering why you’d want to re-size the plans. Most have the dimensions in actual feet and inches, and all you really need is an N scale reference rule - there’s usually one on the reverse of the HO scale rule if you can’t find one specifically for N.
Wayne
thanks for the info and suggestions. It’s not a track plan that I needed to reduce, it’s a set of HO building plans.
I assumed that was the case. [:D] Unless you’re going to be building directly on the plans (using the plans as a template for assembly), the scale rule will do the job.
If the drawing is dimensioned using actual-size measurements, simply use the N-scale calibrations of the rule to measure material for cutting, etc.
If the drawing does not have dimensions, but is drawn in HO scale, use the HO calibrations to measure the lines on the drawing, then use the same numbers on the N-scale portion of the rule to measure your materials for cutting.
Wayne