Car scale for miniatures

[buglips*the*goblin]

I measured Rex like you would a person, foot to head, and got 35mm.

 

So in 1/64 he's 7.5 feet tall. In 1/48 he comes out to 5.6 feet tall. For Rex, 1/48 is the better choice.

 

So really the answet depends on the closest scale match to the average mini height. If the average among Rex's compadres is 35mm then go with 1/48. If it's much less (around 25mm, say) then 1/64 is better.

 

Basically you're gonna need to do some measuring.

 

To convert the scale and find out height in that scale, go 35mm (use actual measurement) x 64 (or 48, etc) then divide the result by 25mm (25mm in one inch), then divide by 12 (12 inches to one foot). This sum is height in feet if the mini was real world. Select which sum result from which scale is more reasonable. In Rex's case, he's more likely to be a 5'5" guy than 7'5", unless he missed his pre-apocalyptic calling as a basketball center.

[Baphomet69]

A little larger, since the figures are trending closer to 30mm. 

 

ETA:  as a rule, if you can only get close like this and must choose larger or smaller, larger is usually the better choice.  The eye won't notice an object being bigger than usual when scaled to a human figure as easily as it will notice when it's smaller.  So, say, a 1/48 scale airplane might look about right - the figure can get inside of it.  But if it's smallish, it might look like it's going to be a clown car trick to squeeze into it.  This will immediately register as weird because of this.

 

So... TL;DR; size matters? ;)

 

There's a thread about this with a LOT of great information. I'm linking it below so you can go look through it and hopefully find all the answers you want and more.  

 

Which scale for cars?

Thanks! I thought I remembered that but was too lazy to go hunting.

[Baphomet69]

I measured Rex like you would a person, foot to head, and got 35mm.

So in 1/64 he's 7.5 feet tall. In 1/48 he comes out to 5.6 feet tall. For Rex, 1/48 is the better choice.

So really the answet depends on the closest scale match to the average mini height. If the average among Rex's compadres is 35mm then go with 1/48. If it's much less (around 25mm, say) then 1/64 is better.

Basically you're gonna need to do some measuring.

To convert the scale and find out height in that scale, go 35mm (use actual measurement) x 64 (or 48, etc) then divide the result by 25mm (25mm in one inch), then divide by 12 (12 inches to one foot). This sum is height in feet if the mini was real world. Select which sum result from which scale is more reasonable. In Rex's case, he's more likely to be a 5'5" guy than 7'5", unless he missed his pre-apocalyptic calling as a basketball center.

Damned goblin math... My head hurts now...

[buglips*the*goblin]

Let me see if I can make it easier. So 1/48 scale means 1" of the miniature = 48" in real size. Or, if you prefer, the real size object is 48 times bigger.

 

So you measure your small object, then multiply that by 48 and you now have how big it is in real life. Except it's in mm. The rest is just converting mm to inches. 25mm per inch, so divide by 25. Now you know how many inches tall it is. To convert to feet, since each foot is 12 inches, divide the height in inches by 12.

 

Knowing what scales you have to choose from for cars, or trains, or whatever you just take the scales, do the math for each, and then pick which one is the most reasonable result.

[Willen]

I finally adquired the mythical Hot Wheels Max Steel bike... it is listed as 1/64 in the back but looks amazingly right next to Heroic 28mm minis!

 

So, beyond the scales, check what works with a mini if possible. You can slip a Bones in your pocket without any problem and take it with you to toy stores! I ehem sometimes do that 

[buglips*the*goblin]

The Max Steel bike is likely an example of what Heisler mentioned:

 

When you are looking at diecast cars scale is more of suggestion than a rule. Basically there is a standard box size and the vehicle has to fit in the box. So scale is more suggestive than actual on those.

From the pics I found of it in the package it seems significantly bigger than actual 1/64 scale. So Willen is right about eyeballing with a figure in hand, too.

 

For scale to work, the object must actually be scale. If you know the real world measurements of an object you can math from measuring the miniature object and see if it matches. Often it will actually not, even for supposedly precision kits, but will usually be close. Older models are more likely to be off, I've seen ostensibly 1/48 airplanes actually work out anywhere from 1/44 to 1/54.

 

The math just helps you narrow down where to look.

[Pingo]

I finally adquired the mythical Hot Wheels Max Steel bike... it is listed as 1/64 in the back but looks amazingly right next to Heroic 28mm minis!

 

So, beyond the scales, check what works with a mini if possible. You can slip a Bones in your pocket without any problem and take it with you to toy stores! I ehem sometimes do that 

Overall I have found the Hot Wheels motorcycles to be gargantuan for 1/64 scale.  They look good with 28mm scale figures, but some of them come with rider figures who would be close to two inches tall if they stood up.

 

Matchbox cars are supposed to be 1/64 scale too, aren't they? Those motorcycles look way huge next to them.

[Willen]

Yes they are huge; I got like extra super lucky today because I found it twice: one at a hobby store along with other bikes (that did not fit the theme I was looking for), and then at the supermarket as part of a Max Steel kit.

 

So after almost a year of looking for one, now I have TWO:

<snip image> link: 

 

https://goo.gl/photos/DmALEUGpRp8HVeSx7

 

In comparison, the cars that came on that set are even slightly shorter and of course, not fit for our scale (unless they are just used as background dressing for a picture without much size reference, I think).

 

Sorry, Google has finally killed my ability yo hotlink pics 

Edited February 6, 2016 by Willen

[Pingo]

Yes they are huge; I got like extra super lucky today because I found it twice: one at a hobby store along with other bikes (that did not fit the theme I was looking for), and then at the supermarket as part of a Max Steel kit.

 

So after almost a year of looking for one, now I have TWO:

<snip image> link: 

 

https://goo.gl/photos/DmALEUGpRp8HVeSx7

 

In comparison, the cars that came on that set are even slightly shorter and of course, not fit for our scale (unless they are just used as background dressing for a picture without much size reference, I think).

 

Sorry, Google has finally killed my ability yo hotlink pics 

Those look great!

[Guildenstern]

Funny I was scanning the clearance of Hobby Lobby today for plane/car models and trying to remember about this very thing! lol

 

Course I bought a couple anyway...

 

But hopefully scale won't be too much of an issue as they're for a junkyard theme board and I figure, hey they're gonna be all rusty and broken etc anyway. Plus I'm using them for Malifaux models which aren't quite exactly 28mm anyway I believe. (yes I'm convincing myself this will work lol)

[ttuckerman]

I would like that post, but Hobby Lobby is part of the Vocal Minority.

[Doug Sundseth]

I would like that post, but Hobby Lobby is part of the Vocal Minority.

 

Don't you just hate it when people who disagree with you actually use those Constitutional rights?

[etherial]

 

I would like that post, but Hobby Lobby is part of the Vocal Minority.

 

Don't you just hate it when people who disagree with you actually use those Constitutional rights?

 

I suggest you settle this in the Beekeepers Forum.

[Guildenstern]

I would like that post, but Hobby Lobby is part of the Vocal Minority.

 

shrugs is cool

 

unfortunately it's one of about two local crafty type places in town

 

Anyway, so I looked at the car I bought and I think it's fine but the plane is much too small - which, honestly I figured it would be at 1/72. I really want to have an older plane in my junkyard, I think it'll be awesome! I'm looking for a P51 mustang (which is my fave) in the snap together types. But I also thought it might be interesting to have a 'back in the day' wright brothers so I may just build one :D Anyway it's on my list hah

[dsmiles]

I would like that post, but Hobby Lobby is part of the Vocal Minority.

I don't go there because they're not open on Sundays. I do most of my brick & mortar hobby shopping on Sundays. Their loss.