calculating scale

One of my most-used model building tools is a pocket calculator that displays results in fractions of an inch and converts between the English and metric systems. Figuring out scale dimensions is just a matter of arithmetic but, as any of my high school math teachers would testify, I'm prone to making stupid errors of computation.

Also, in sailing ship modeling (my biggest interest) you frequently run up against rules for calculating dimensions of spars, rigging lines, etc. that require multiple steps. (Hypothetical example: the diameter of the main lower yard is 7/8 of the total diameter at the first quarter, 3/4 at the second quarter, 2/5 at the third quarter, and 1/3 at the yardarm. The length is 3/7 the length of the ship's keel, and the model is on the scale of 3/32" = 1'. If I tried to work all that out with pencil and paper I'd screw up the model; a calculator can do it in a few seconds.)

Calculators working in inches used to be rare (and expensive), but nowadays they can be found at places like Lowe's or Home Depot for $10 or $15. (A few years ago some company produced one called ModelCalc, especially for model building, but I haven't seen that one for a long time.) I strongly recommend such a machine for anybody who builds models and gets headaches doing arithmetic.

does anyone know where i can find a chart to convert from model scale to railroad scale. like ho, or o gage

Very interesting yet common topic we all have to deal with. Also very helpful and informative replies that are closer to answering your question.
These are a few sources that may help you also.

http://www.wwi-models.org/misc/scalecon.html

http://www.secretgovernmentlabs.com/page/scale

http://canvaseagles.diplomacy.ca/miniatures/miniature_scales.htm

there are several good scale modeling charts on the internet, just type in scale modeling charts, I have several printed off for reference.

QUOTE: There are 12 inches in a foot. (3/4)/12 = 1/16. 1/16 scale.

You are asolutely correct, I stand corrected. I'm so used to using those scales I never even bothered to check and see if it worked out evenly.

You can download a handy scale calculator from here.
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/scalemaster.htm

QUOTE: Originally posted by hippiedude Hello, I'm looking for a site that I can use to calculate scale. What I am looking for specifically is, what scale is 3/4" = 1'. Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks.

There are 12 inches in a foot. (3/4)/12 = 1/16.

1/16 scale.

3/4" = 1'-0" is an architectural scale common in engineering and architectural environments. It does not correspond to a 1/xx scale common in modeling.

It is, however, a scale. If you don't have an architectural scale handy, measure any distance on your plans using a regular ruler, convert the fractional inches to decimal (i.e. 1/16" = 1 / 16 = 0.0625"; 1/32" = 1 / 32 = 0.03125"), add that to the inches (i.e. 3 1/16" = 3 + (1/16) = 3.0625) and then divide by 0.75 to get the true distance in feet.