Available Now!: Protomate Brand 1:160 Scale from Keystone Details

[Maletrain]

Yeah, I too thought this was the Protomate coupler so was immediately a bit disappointed.

But, it is a cool rule. I will probably buy one.  Even though I already have several other N scale rule types.

One question, though.  Your post says it is 5.12" long, but that doesn't seem to scale out to the 65 scale feet shown.  Check my math: the picture shows the length of the rule is from zero scale feet to 65 scale feet, with no margins.  65 scale feet x (1 real foot /160 scale feet) = 0.40625 real foot = 4.875 real inches. (4 - 7/8") 

Either way, that is a handy length to slip into a pocket for train shows.  Not to mention the other cool features.

[ednadolski]

When I first saw the topic I though tit was for the Protomate Coupler...

Ditto.  But I still want a ruler. 

[thomasjmdavis]

I will take one at either 5.12 or 4.875 inches, whichever it turns out to be.  I could use it tomorrow if I had one.  Consider this a "pre-order".

Strikes me that the ends would also be useful for things like lining up rivets on a car side, or scribing in the sides of a doorframe.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I'm in!

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

Nice work John.
Put me in for one.
Just regular airmail letter, sandwiched/protected between 2 cartons please....

All the best, Dirk

[Dredgeboater]

Dear Sir,

Although I am not contributing in postings to this forum, I do love to read and learn fron whatever is popping up.
Being in N scale since long time, I have time to scratch build and tinker with both rolling stock and buildings.
Reading about your scale ruler and the feartures thereof, it would be a blessing for my 70 years old eyes, to be able to make it more accurate, although I live by the credo

Better to be roughly right, than to be exactly wrong.

So you could consider this as a pre order, no matter how the final product comes out, I will take it as it is.

Regards,

Dredgeboater

[Lemosteam]

Yeah, I too thought this was the Protomate coupler so was immediately a bit disappointed.

But, it is a cool rule. I will probably buy one.  Even though I already have several other N scale rule types.

One question, though.  Your post says it is 5.12" long, but that doesn't seem to scale out to the 65 scale feet shown.  Check my math: the picture shows the length of the rule is from zero scale feet to 65 scale feet, with no margins.  65 scale feet x (1 real foot /160 scale feet) = 0.40625 real foot = 4.875 real inches. (4 - 7/8") 

Either way, that is a handy length to slip into a pocket for train shows.  Not to mention the other cool features.

Thanks for the comment! Yes my 130mm dimension is incorrect. I forgot the spaces on the edges of the Cale to the fret border. Corrected above!

[muktown128]

I'm in for a ruler and I voted for this as well. I also thought this was about the coupler when I first saw the thread title.  Then I saw stainless steel, new and improved and thought that will be an interesting coupler before I realized this was about a ruler...

[Simon D.]

Same requirements as Dirk for the UK please.

[peteski]

@peteski @Philip H , yes they are thru etched, but only for the 30 feet on that edge.  The rest is half etched material.

"...a new feature to allow one to accurately mark parts using 0.3mm wide grooves for a scriber or knife blade."

The groove is designed at 0.3mm and will likely over-etch a bit so a 0.3mm Pentel pencil will work well, or a knife point for a scribe.

I would have expected that the "new feature" in your initial post being explained a bit more thoroughly.  I only noticed it after carefully examining one of the renderings.  Anyways, it is a very innovative feature.
You also showed a 0.3mm mechanical pencil, but then you stated "Suggest using a hard graphite lead stick or a mylar-use stick".   I assume that the former is just a standard hard graphite lead, but what is "mylar-use stick"?

I'm also glad that you are adding the N scale wheel gauge, but why are you making it like the MTL track gauge (just rectangle cutouts)?!  It would be more useful if you made it like the "real" NMRA wheel gauge (that is included on the NMRA gauge).  Even the MTL gauge has a wheel gauge that is not just rectangular cutouts.

If you don't have one, this is what it looks like.

I'm talking about the "WHEEL" gauge on it.  Having that in your ruler would come very handy to check the wheels (flange depth and gauge).

Here are all the pertinent dimensions:
https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/pdf/S-4.3%202010.02.24.pdf
And the wheel profile (of you want to make it like the NMRA gauge, not just couple of square depressions.
https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/pdf/RP-25%202009.07.pdf

Also, how thick will this ruler be?

[Missaberoad]

I have no shortage of wheel gauges (Nmra, Micro-Trains, Kato) IMHO we don't need a multitool...

Now a dedicated N scale rule with measurements that start at the end and marking features, that's a winner!

[CBQ Fan]

I voted yes and would buy one.

[peteski]

I have no shortage of wheel gauges (Nmra, Micro-Trains, Kato) IMHO we don't need a multitool...

Now a dedicated N scale rule with measurements that start at the end and marking features, that's a winner!

I'm in for the ruler (with or without wheel gauge), but if John includes it, might as well make it good.

What I did in my earlier post is called "better modeling design through peer pressure" here on TRW. 

[Missaberoad]

I'm in for the ruler (with or without wheel gauge), but if John includes it, might as well make it good.

What I did in my earlier post is called "better modeling design through peer pressure" here on TRW. 

My opinion on multitools is they wind up doing many things, none of them good!

I think a dedicated tool that does one job the best is better design. 

[peteski]

My opinion on multitools is they wind up doing many things, none of them good!

I think a dedicated tool that does one job the best is better design. 

Sure, but it still doesn't change the fact that if John decided to include a wheel gauge on his ruler, he might as well make it correct and accurate.  You are talking applies and I'm an orange.   If John comes back and tells me to "whistle Dixie", that's ok too.  At least I'll know that I tried to suggest a proper wheel gauge.

Besides multi-tools (or multi-measurement devices) *CAN* be all good.