Michael Walker      (at 10:22am, Sat 15th Apr, 23)

Parts from non-Meccano (but compatible) systems can offer many additional model-building possibilities. As a non-purist, I happily use them all. For example, some small Märklin or Metallus brackets enable 'between hole' spacing, which is another feature I find convenient for fitting diagonal bracing.

Carlos Giani      (at 8:31am, Sat 15th Apr, 23)

Spot on, Michael!

Metallus even has 2 extra-special vario-strips, being a kind of "elongated" 5-holes and 7-holes strips respectively (N° 1741-05 and 1741-07, unfortunately no longer in production)

Michael Walker      (at 6:18pm, Fri 14th Apr, 23)

Slots in the ends of (some) Metallus strips look rather strange at first glance, but are very convenient for diagonal bracing.