How many studs???

[Daranello]

If a 121" = 96 studs
128" = 102 studs
then a 144" track would equal how many studs????


I want to stud up my XTX with the 2 studs per paddle or double backers

 

[rxrider]

For tracks with pitch of 2.52" running 2 studs in every row, here's the math:

121 / 2.52 = 48 * 2 = 96 studs (round down to 48)
128 / 2.52 = 51 * 2 = 102 studs (round up to 51)
136 / 2.52 = 54 * 2 = 108 studs (round up to 54)
144 / 2.52 = 57 * 2 = 114 studs (round down to 57)

This shoud work for all kinds of track, just change out the pitch, length and average #s of studs in each row, and do the math.

 

[Daranello]

What will be even??? I think its the first pix

or

 

[rxrider]

The 121 and 136 tracks have even #s of rows, like 48 rows in a 121" track and 54 rows in a 136" track.

The first drawing shows a uneven or odd #s of rows, like 51 rows in the 128" track and 57 rows in the 144" track.

In the first drawing you will end up with two rows having the studs on the same side of the track, the last studs will be on the same side as the first one you installed.

The pattern in the second drawing will end up just fine.

Here's why:
# of rows before the pattern repeats itself is 6 in both patterns. To check if the pattern will match the track do the following math:
#s of rows on the track / #s of rows before the pattern repeat itself = How many times the pattern repeat itself over the length of the track.

A whole # like 8 tells us that the pattern will complete itself 8 times around the track. A decimal # like 8.5 tells us that the pattern will not repeat itself completely around the track.

Eksample:
121 track:
48 / 6 = 8
The pattern will match perfectly around the track repeating itself 8 times, a perfect match to the track.
57 / 6 = 9.5
The pattern will not match around the track leaving the last repetition of the pattern uncomplete (not enough rows left to complete the pattern), not matching the track, another pattern should be considered or you will have to modify the pattern slightly to make fit.

Hope this can help you in any way, at least you should be able to simulate the outcome without having to drill the track to find out if the pattern of choise will fit or not.

 

[rxrider]

Another tip

In a spreadsheet you can make your own simulation. You know the #s of rows, and the #s of columns (how many studs across for each row). Fill inn the pattern in the spreadsheet and repeat it until you end up at the row in the spreadsheet representing the total #s of rows in your track, should be real easy to see if a pattern will fit or not. It should also be fairly easy to make up your own pattern. Using the # of 1 or X for each stud will make it easy to count the #s of studs used in your pattern using a spreadsheet.