Graham C

I second the comments on Becky Pinniger's book. Mine just arrived yesterday (supposedly second hand, but as-new) and looks really helpful.

Another tip I saw recently was that you can plant shrubs in plant pots: apparently the restricted root system then helps keep the growth small. And then easy to dig up and move later if necessary/desired.

On 09/05/2021 at 17:18, Ian J. said:

 

I don't believe so. In fact, such a drill might cause even more chipping and/or splitting of the acrylic. The drill for acrylic is as:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-plexiglass-Polycarbonate-Norseman-BG4600A/dp/B07D1BGH53/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=norseman+drill+bit&qid=1620577015&sr=8-8

 

but that's the U.S. imperial set. I need them in 1mm increments metric. But as @doilum says, I may have to settle for standard metal bits and work up from a very small size to the 5mm hole I'm after.

Alternatively, buy the imperial bits and use 3/16" screws (= 4.6mm, so not far off 5mm)? Looks like those are still fairly readily available?

8 minutes ago, Dungrange said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/hjonesengineering

 

The above on E-bay seems to list a back-to-back gauge for SM-45 and track gauges for both SM-32 and SM-45, so I suppose you could contact him and ask if he produces a back-to-back gauge for SM-32.  They look as though they are machined in plastic, so I've no idea how good they are.

 

I couldn't see anything else on a quick google.

Yep, I have done so. Will post on here for future reference if he comes up trump's.

Thanks - so I was using the correct search term! That's reassuring :-)

And NOT safe to use O-gauge. 

As t-b-g says, probably best to make my own...

I'm starting kit building in SM-32. Where can I buy a wheel/axle gauge for this scale (to set back-to-back distance of 28mm), please?

I've found one or two for OO or N. Does O (7mm/ft) share the same standard; so would that be an option?

Or are they known by a different name?

Thanks!