Measurement Converters

[magengar]

I saw a die-cast model car item at eBay, measuring 1:24 scale...
...I hate NOT knowing how to measure Scale sizes, and even then
I'm still guessing the most accurate Scale size to Inches.
...in the end, I walk away frustrated with no results and
still confused.

And, so, I'm gonna create this thread for that purpose.
Because this will come in handy, and even I will refer to this
thread every time I need this.  Hope this helps you all, as well.

I will find as many Converters and charts and post them here....
This way custom-builders, kit-bashers, and other toy modifiers can look
to this thread for reference.

Here we go.........................

1... ONLINE SCALE CONVERSION CALCULATOR
webpages.charter.net/sinkwich/sdventure/html/sd_scalecalc2.htm

This is a Scale Converter if you wanna figure out metric and fractional
measurements to model scale sizes.
I often see 1:144 and 1:400 scale robot model kits (ie: the Gundams)
and all I can guess is that they're about 6" to 12" tall when built;
but I could be wrong on all counts.  See, I'm frustrated again. lol

By the way, "1:144" scale can also be written as "1/144"...
...depending on which you prefer.  I've read that the / shouldn't be
used when comparing Scale to Fractions and Decimals.  I'm SO confused! lol

--------------------------------------

2... SCALE DRAWINGS CONVERSION CHART
www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2003/05/stuff_eng_tech_scaling_drawings.htm

...The sight of This chart feels intimidating, a total Brain-buster to me.

----------------------------------

3... MODEL SCALES, AND SCALE CONVERSION CHARTS
mysite.verizon.net/ELLshipmodeler/scales.htm

...This web page has a few charts for various measurements,
and some charts hint about which scales are used for various object models.
And, while you're at this website, check out other topics covered therein...
...mostly deals with making model wooden ships, tips, and techniques.
If you can build a wooden model/mock-up of Whatever, this is for you.
mysite.verizon.net/ELLshipmodeler/index.htm

--------------------------------------

4... CONVERSION CHARTS
www.urbaneagle.com/data/RRconvcharts.html

...Mostly deals with model trains and railroads.
Various charts which are downloadable in Text (.txt) file format,
and in Excel (.xls) file format (for Microsoft Excel, or Office, or Word).

--------------------------------------------

5... ANOTHER SCALE CONVERSION CHART
www.wwi-models.org/misc/scalecon.html

...Just looking at this one makes my brain revolt.  Such math!

---------------------------------------------------

6... SCALE MODELER'S HANDBOOK
www.scale-modelers-handbook.com/scale-conversion.html

...This site has a Scale chart; and it also has a wealth of information
and tips for projects.
Free subscription membership is required to access downloads and schtuff.

-----------------------------------------

That's about all I can find right now... at 5:24am EST, you can bet
I'm tired groggy sleepy and Bored browsing the net and eBay
at this time. lol

I wish I could find downloadable Scale Converter desktop programs for
PC, Mac, and mobile/tab devices...
...that way, the Converter programs can be used offline while busy
working on projects.

If this thread generates a lot of interest, perhaps we can get it Schtikied
up there with the rest of the other reference threads in this hobby aspect.

Have fun!

zozo-mag

[bowhntr66]

Lol!! Sounds exactly like me!! I have walked away from many ebay model kits because of it. I usually email and ask how big the box is.... Even with that I've been fooled.

[magengar]

lol.... I should have admitted first of all that
I'm not as much of an experienced model kit collector
to familiarize myself with Scale units of measure.
I see a cool kit, I like, I buy, I build, happy happy
joy joy new toy for this boi. lol

I envy the seasoned kit collectors: they know that
kind of math right down to the science, and they
always know exactly what they're getting when they
shop for kits.
If I email a vendor, I try to ask how big the
actual item is.

A large box for a supposedly "large scaled" Mach 5
could turn out to have a small Hot Wheels tiny
Matchbox car inside!
I've heard horror stories of that sort of
thing actually happen! lol

Lately, I've been browsing ebay for old Bandai model
robot kits.  I have a Bandai model "Tranzor-Z" kit stashed
at my mom's house... I'd like to buy another one to enjoy
with me here at home.
I have a Mechanic Collection Yuusha Raideen I'm about to build,
and I love the MC kits.  I would also like to collect the smaller
Bandai Raideen model kit as well.
Bandai had put out so many model kits back in the early 2000s,
and I'd like to collect some of them, especially the Jet Pilder
and the Brain Condor model kits-- those are becoming pricey
and harder to get... there's not so many of them around
since their last production run.

The Bandai Gundam kits are where I run into trouble with
the Scale unit of measure, such as their typical 1:144 and
1:400 scale models.  I always get confused as to which of these
two scales is the Bigger model.

zozo-mag

[Mr. Ginrai]

Tony smaller numbers mean bigger kit. For example cars: 1/8 is huge, 1/64 is hot wheels car size. Gundam: 1/48 is the big MG etc. kits, 1/100 is the normal figure size or slightly bigger and 1/144 are the small basic ones.

[bowhntr66]

I have 3 of the Raideen kits, the 1/400 kit is about 4-5" tall but the box is about 8". The Mazinga Z kit lists 1/144 but is the same size. The smaller Combattler and Larger Raideen is completely in Japaneses and I can't find a size anywhere. But the models are about 3" and 10".


And this one was listed as "Huge, 20" box", the kit is about 12"!

Yep, still confused....

[magengar]

That Raideen kit all the way on the far right,
I've seen it before (just the box, Not the actual model)
several years ago.
Could That kit there be the same as the one I have here?
Or is it a larger scale kit than mine?

Here's my MC Raideen kit on the right (still unassembled, sealed in its baggies)

...their boxes measure about 11 and 3/8 inches lengthwise (top to bottom of the face print).

...my MC Maz kit is already built and painted with custom metallic silver limbs.
I still haven't assembled nor painted my MC Raideen kit. I will soon, or as soon as
starting next weekend.
These two kits were re-issued in 2007, from their previous 2001 origins;
but I don't know what's the difference-- box art, or sculpts, maybe.

So, I'm assuming that your large Raideen kit there is larger than my
MC Raideen kit (assembled).

Neither of these two MC kits specify their Scale size.
Bandai should've indicated their Scale sizes, at least somewhere
on the outside of the box, just plain print "1:400" or something...
...but Noooooooooo, they went to Hellanback describing the robots'
entire life-stories inside the instruction sheet, and then everything
is all printed in Japanese! lmao

I love that Great Mazinger/Repair Bay kit, I'm trying to decide which to get
first, that one or the combo Great Mazinger/Brain Condor kit.
The combo GrtMaz/Brain Condor kit is becoming scarce and pricey really fast.

zozo-mag

[magengar]

Thanks, bro... That seems like the basics, so I'll remember that.
Matter of fact, I'll even write that down on paper and pin it to my wall
next to my computer workstation for quick reference when I
build something from scratch or browse kits at eBay.

zozo-mag

Jun 16, 2013 1:22:29 GMT -5 Mr. Ginrai said:

Tony smaller numbers mean bigger kit. For example cars: 1/8 is huge, 1/64 is hot wheels car size. Gundam: 1/48 is the big MG etc. kits, 1/100 is the normal figure size or slightly bigger and 1/144 are the small basic ones.

[Mr. Ginrai]

Remember also with cars, most are the same size in real life, so scales are pretty standardized.

With robots however, if they were "real" some would be quite large and some would be huge - remember the scale/size charts we have seen over the years?

So like Tom said you may have a 1/144 for one kit (normal size) and a 1/100 for another. In most cases the 1/100 will be the smaller kit, but if the 1/100 is of a "bigger" robot, this kit may in fact end up being as big or bigger than the 1/144 one.

The biggest thing you have to remember with anything that is real (people/character/figure kits, car/truck/plane/etc. kits) is that those are usually "true" scale models, referred to as "scale models" and true to size.

With anime, fiction space, gundam, robot, etc. these are in scaled sizes and have some standards but they are actually referred to by manufacturers and sellers as "non-scale" models because everything is just an estimate to get close to the size of the kit, or close to a standardized size for all the kits in a series.

Is that clear?

Also I have been buying many of the Bandai models over the years. I mainly do the characters I like. Be careful because some of the kits are very basic while some are a little better. I have between 30 and 50 of them. Can't remember off hand.

Some of them I am getting rid of. I have the stand alone version of the mazinger from the repair bay (never got around to getting the repair bay w/ maz combo kit) and some others that I want to get rid of. FYI the combo kit has come down in price a bit but it is huge. It will take a bit or work and painting to finish (I have seen one in person).

As far as other maz kits there are some really cheap figure ones that are nice and still easy to get from the reissue series.

They did also make a larger stand alone brain condor kit.

I don't remember a maz with condor kit - which one are you talking about?

Since I have so many kits I will try to help you with what came out in the series but even I am unsure sometimes. There are just so many.

[magengar]

This will take time for me to digest, but I'm beginning to understand it now.
Thanks for your help breaking this down for us, I really appreciate it.
I'll read and study this.

Scales are also a standardized unit of measure that's used by the
vehicle industries for designing new cars and other vehicles, aeronautics,
military, and space-exploration industries.
This helps to achieve a true realistic look to what would be a real-life object.

Scale also helps to demonstrate the mechanical movement of parts
in a model, to show its real-life functionality.... if the moving part isn't
built to scale, then the real-life product isn't gonna function.
Mars Rover was built to scale before we could have an actual Mars Rover...
...it is now our "Roomba" to the stars! lol

As for those Robot size charts, you're right, if they followed the same
principle as model kits we'd have little or no room to display them
in our homes! lol

I'll print and stickie this on my wall as well. Thanks!

Jun 16, 2013 12:00:23 GMT -5 Mr. Ginrai said:

Remember also with cars, most are the same size in real life, so scales are pretty standardized.

With robots however, if they were "real" some would be quite large and some would be huge - remember the scale/size charts we have seen over the years?

So like Tom said you may have a 1/144 for one kit (normal size) and a 1/100 for another. In most cases the 1/100 will be the smaller kit, but if the 1/100 is of a "bigger" robot, this kit may in fact end up being as big or bigger than the 1/144 one.

The biggest thing you have to remember with anything that is real (people/character/figure kits, car/truck/plane/etc. kits) is that those are usually "true" scale models, referred to as "scale models" and true to size.

With anime, fiction space, gundam, robot, etc. these are in scaled sizes and have some standards but they are actually referred to by manufacturers and sellers as "non-scale" models because everything is just an estimate to get close to the size of the kit, or close to a standardized size for all the kits in a series.

Is that clear?

---------------------------------

I've seen two types of the standalone Great Mazinger model... the one apart from the repair bay,
with normal feet... and an identical model, but with big weird blocky feet.
The weird blocky feet certainly makes the model look like a Toy; I'd go after the normal feet model.

I'd go after the GrtMaz/Repair Bay kit because of its looks... you can always add features to it
without ever modifying it! lol

Jun 16, 2013 12:00:23 GMT -5 Mr. Ginrai said:

Also I have been buying many of the Bandai models over the years. I mainly do the characters I like. Be careful because some of the kits are very basic while some are a little better. I have between 30 and 50 of them. Can't remember off hand.

Some of them I am getting rid of. I have the stand alone version of the mazinger from the repair bay (never got around to getting the repair bay w/ maz combo kit) and some others that I want to get rid of. FYI the combo kit has come down in price a bit but it is huge. It will take a bit or work and painting to finish (I have seen one in person).

---------------------------------

I've seen the standalone Condor kit at ebay.
It seems less expensive by itself than as a combo Brain Condor kit with an included Great Maz kit inside.
To be honest, a "combined set" (Brain Condor, AND a Great Mazinger model, together) is not gonna
make or break the authenticity or the value of this item by any spectacular means other than the
Selling Gimmick of the item (the way it is presented for sale).  Wait about five or ten years from
now, and we'll see where it goes. lol
Budget-wise: I'd buy the Condor first, and then go after the Great Maz kit later.

I don't know if the combo-kit set was ever an official model kit package released by Bandai,
or if it's just a one-time "241" package deal (Two for One) put together by distributors/retailers
to promote this product line.
Some eBay sellers loosely refer to this particular item as "rare" just because of the 241...
...to me, it's currently as "rare" as finding Drywall screws in a prairie.
Believe me, you Will find them... just walk through the prairie Barefooted! lol

This is the Combo GrtMaz/Condor kit I was referring to..........






...here's a close up of the Great Mazinger model, notice he's the same model
but his feet are normal here...



...here's an identical Great Mazinger model with the repair bay, from the same toy line,
however: look at the blocky feet on this one
(perhaps designed as a "motorization" feature that never developed later on)...



Back towards the topic............

Bandai has produced so many model kits since those days; and we're just talking these retro kits
(Robots, Mechas, Ships, and People) from the '90s... many of them are so awesome,
while others are so basic.  Sizes range among them.  But, this retro line is difficult to see
what exactly you'll get, because in most cases the Scale isn't indicated outside on the box.

Sometime after the late '90s and into the 2000s, Bandai started getting a bit more
higher-ended with newer kits produced later on to this day.
The newer lines are predominantly mechas (ie: Gundams), and then ships.

We don't see many of these old kits here in the U.S. but through eBay.
And at eBay, you'll find hoards of them mostly through Asian sellers (HK, Japan, Korea, etc.)

I have a few of the above discussed kits on my Watchlist at eBay.
But I'll also stay tuned whenever you're ready to sell some.

zozo-mag

Jun 16, 2013 12:00:23 GMT -5 Mr. Ginrai said:

As far as other maz kits there are some really cheap figure ones that are nice and still easy to get from the reissue series.

They did also make a larger stand alone brain condor kit.

I don't remember a maz with condor kit - which one are you talking about?

Since I have so many kits I will try to help you with what came out in the series but even I am unsure sometimes. There are just so many.

[Mr. Ginrai]

Tony,

The condor kit I was speaking about is the one you posted a picture of. I always forget that it comes with the figure, I always knew that it is a kit of the condor so that's what I focus on.

As far as the standalone maz/and repair bay maz, they are both the same kit, both have the blocky feet. The only difference is that one has the repair bay with it!

So I have the standalone maz and actually that is one I want to sell. This is the Bandai reissue from 1998 or 2000. It is about 8 inches tall. It is also the same kit that was released in the American licensed shogun warriors models.

It's kind of a funny kit, it get assembled with elasticity, if I remember correctly to give it a pose or some action. Ill have to get the kit out.

[magengar]

I see, that's interesting.  I swear I've seen two different feet molds of those
Great Maz models. lol

You mentioned the American licensed shogun warriors models...
...is that the model kit line by Monogram?
(that line consisted of Great Mazinga, Gaiking, Grendizer, Raideen, getter Dragun, and getter Raider)



I've seen these SW kits occasionally at eBay... talk about "Gettin Pricey"! lol

zozo-mag

Jun 17, 2013 0:49:47 GMT -5 Mr. Ginrai said:

Tony,

The condor kit I was speaking about is the one you posted a picture of. I always forget that it comes with the figure, I always knew that it is a kit of the condor so that's what I focus on.

As far as the standalone maz/and repair bay maz, they are both the same kit, both have the blocky feet. The only difference is that one has the repair bay with it!

So I have the standalone maz and actually that is one I want to sell. This is the Bandai reissue from 1998 or 2000. It is about 8 inches tall. It is also the same kit that was released in the American licensed shogun warriors models.

It's kind of a funny kit, it get assembled with elasticity, if I remember correctly to give it a pose or some action. Ill have to get the kit out.

[Mr. Ginrai]

There are other maz kits by Bandai but they are much smaller, again non-scale but the boxes say a scale designation.

And yes the Bandai blocky feet is the same as the monogram shogun warriors kit.

Also the SW kits are way overpriced. They are all Bandai re-pops. The buy it nows are always crazy but when they get listed as auction they literally sell dirt cheap so don't believe the hype. They disappear for a while but are very common - don't let a seller fool you into thinking they are "rare".

I'll have to start to get my kits out. Usually they do two (sometimes three) kits of each character. One small and one bigger. Sometimes they are all static, some move a bit, and some have a very simple action or feature.

[magengar]

I agree with you about the over-pricing of the SW kits.
And yes, too often eBay sellers loosely use the term "rare"
for these items.
I guess that depends on how a person defines "rare".

Tough one to call, but here's how I define "rare":
Although the item may no longer be manufactured...
...If it is still being circulated through secondary hands
or after-markets such as eBay auctions or trades,
in some way or another,
then to me the item isn't "rare" yet. lol

The smaller Maz kits are cool for anyone who wants to reproduce
the parts and turn them into custom "Revoltech" Maz figures with
the Revoltech spare joints pack.

Here's one for you elderly collectors:
Although I assembled my MC Mazinger-Z model, I just REMEMBERED
that I still have NOT yet assembled/painted its Rocket-Punch mechanism. lmao

zozo-mag

Jun 17, 2013 1:36:16 GMT -5 Mr. Ginrai said:

There are other maz kits by Bandai but they are much smaller, again non-scale but the boxes say a scale designation.

And yes the Bandai blocky feet is the same as the monogram shogun warriors kit.

Also the SW kits are way overpriced. They are all Bandai re-pops. The buy it nows are always crazy but when they get listed as auction they literally sell dirt cheap so don't believe the hype. They disappear for a while but are very common - don't let a seller fool you into thinking they are "rare".

I'll have to start to get my kits out. Usually they do two (sometimes three) kits of each character. One small and one bigger. Sometimes they are all static, some move a bit, and some have a very simple action or feature.

[bowhntr66]

You weren't kidding about a lot to digest!!! I started looking through the kits again on ebay after sifting through all this info... Helped a lot magengar!!! Thank you!!!
Oh, the Raideen kit... It's kinda small... Maybe 8"