N gauge wheel back-to-back gauge

[FrankS]

G'Day all,Greetings from Tasmania.
These days I do very little modelling in N scale, but I am presently modelling NG railways in HOe scale, which, of course uses the same 9mm gauge track.
I have been searching for a back-to-back gauge for 9mm gauge wheels, so far without success.
I am amazed that this is so, I would have thought that for anyone in N scale moving beyond the 'toy train' stage and wanting to 'fine-tune' his rolling stock wheels, a back-to-back gauge would be an essential tool.
But, apparently not.
Can anyone point me in the direction of a manufacturer of a back-to-back wheel gauge ? N scale has been around for close on 50 years, surely in all that time someone has seen the need for, and produced a proper gauge.
Thanks,
Any help much appreciated

[guest373]

BH Enterprises are showing a gauge on their web site, however see http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=11069.0 for contact details. 
The N gauge society also sell 2 gauges, but with different back to back spacing.

[guest311]

if you are considering getting the Dapol NEM conversion kit, the large piece in there acts as :

coupler height gauge
track width gauge
angle gauge for trip pin
trip pin height gauge

wheel back to back gauge

[Rabs]

One of the reasons that they aren't more common may be that there is more than one wheel standard in N gauge.  Are you using NRMA RP25 wheels, NEM wheels or something else (of which there are several if you are using old stock)?  Because these have different tread and flange thicknesses you need different back to back measurements for each.
Easy enough to make one with a scrap of brass, a hacksaw, a file and a micrometers of set of verniers.

[barkfast]

G'day Frank

I'm assuming that you are modelling in HOn30 (9mm) not HOn3...

NMRA produce a N scale gauge - this might be what your looking for. Locally Casula Hobbies in Sydney (Liverpool) might be your best bet - its listed on their website - even if it appears to be well outdated. Would be worth giving them a call or dropping an email before trying to order it.
http://www.casulahobbies.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2027&osCsid=fdd5b0d81e679f3da2e9c8cf5d538fb4

MicroMark in the states have it listed for US$18.50. http://www.micromark.com/nmra-gage-n-scale,7531.html

As previously mentioned the Dapol NEM conversion kit also have a back to back gauge - I believe the MicroTrains Coupler Height Gauge also has one incorporated into the same tool. The MicroTrains version might be easier to source in Aus.

A digital micrometer is another alternative (I noticed that Aldi have them advertised for $20 from 9th Feb http://aldi.com.au/au/html/offers/2827_25406.htm). Otherwise Bunnings carry them year round.

Hope this is of use! BTW any NG Garretts on your layout?!

Terry