By Peter De Keles

Author  Bio Could you use one piece of software that handles all of your conversions and calculations from LED's to lumber to grades? I have one for you here.

I have a lot of bookmarks in my browser for all of the various websites that have conversion calculators. One for LED's, scale conversions, resistor color conversion, Metric to US, Ohm's law, you get the idea.

Some are tailored to model railroading but most are not. Stan's Handy Converter has all of the popular scales and an input box for any scale you want.

After loading Stan's Handy Converter and using it for 10 minutes, I know now, I can safely delete all of my bookmarks and have everything I need in one program. Over 20 conversions are available in an easy to use tab format. Some of the old standbys are there, LED's, Scale Conversion, metric to US, Ohm's law with some new ones.

Plus you won't feel left out because you model Large Scale. Need to convert lumber? You have the choice of 1:20.3, 1:22.5, 1:24, 1:29 and 1:32. Want to see if a figure will work with your scale, again the same choices. How about thermal rail expansion? Need to determine what the grade of a run of track is? What about a listing of Large Scale track dimensions for LGB, Aristo-Craft, Piko and Train-Li.

Do you have a drawer full of resistors that are not as organized as you said you would keep them? The Resistor Calculator will help you get it together. You can put in the color code of the resistor and it will let you know the value. You can also type in the value and find out the color code. For example putting in 500 ohms lets me know that 500 is not standard but 470 and 510 are.

The wiring calculator gives you data on different wire sizes as well as a voltage drop calculator. The speed calculator will tell you your trains scale speed by inputting distance & time.

The Helix calculator may be more suited to smaller scales but the main reason it is part of the package is a request from a Garden Railroader. The modeler wanted to move his trains from his basement to his outdoor track. It was fun to find out I needed 151 feet of track to make a 4 foot rise.

If you need more information, there are videos of the calculator in action at Stan Silverman's website.

You can download the software directly from the website ($12.95) or you can order a CD ($19.95 with free shipping). Program requirements: Windows XP through Windows 7. I'm running it on Windows 7 without a problem.

Handy Converter

I have had this installed for some months now and find it a very usefull tool for modelling

Ian Galbraith - 05/25/2012 - 17:15

Handy Converter

This sounds fantastic, I think I need a tool like this and I'm going to order one.

Pat Liverpool - 05/25/2012 - 20:08

Handy Converter

A tool I want in my arsenal! I just went to the web site and ordered it.

Bob Roberts - 05/26/2012 - 11:58

Handy Converter

I have this CD and since I do alot of scratch building it has become very valuable. I love it.

Jerry Madsen - 05/30/2012 - 19:59

Handy Converter

I found this a long time ago (version 12). It has been invaluable, especially the electronics conversions. Getting the resistors right for the LED's is a great asset. I would highly recommend it for scale use.

Mike Grubermann - 06/02/2012 - 03:10

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