Athearn coupler box question

[JeremyB]

Thanks for the link kevin I will have a look at it

[dbduck]

As Sheldon points out, the problem (if one develops) is usually with the metal coupler cover, not the tabs. On a couple of cars I’ve put a tiny bit of Walthers Goo on each side of the coupler box when putting the cover back on, to help hold it in place. You could get the cover in place an put a drop of ACC on either side too.

I use formula 560 canopy glue

it stays rather pliable & easily Removable should the coupler need to be replaced

[JeremyB]

Back with another question fellas that is kind of inline with this thread. I have some older roundhouse cars that I have had since I was a kid and want to convert them over to kadees. The cars never had coupler covers just a screw. What I want to do is cut the mounted on draft gear box so I can add a kadee one but don’t quite know the best way of cutting off the old one ? I was thinking maybe a xacto chisel blade ?? I dont want to dremel it and melt the plastic

any tips would be awesome

thanks

[CharlieM]

I have had good success starting with a Dremel #196 cutter bit and finishing off with a small file. If carefully used the Dremel will not do damage that cannot be cleaned up with the file. Carefully prepare a flat surface and glue down a Kadee #242 draft gear box. Either Styrene solvent or CA superglue can be used. Use a Kadee 148 coupler. The box lid can be just snapped on or the car bottom can be drilled and tapped for a 2-56 screw.

I use the same technique to remove truck mounting posts and prepare a flat surface for replacement Kadee trucks. If needed the hole in the center of the old post can be filled with on old Styrene kit sprue and filed flat. The resulting surface can then be drilled and tapped for a 2-56 screw.

I’ve recently used both techniques to “rescue” some ancient cars with Talgo trucks and truck mounted couplers.

Charlie - Northern Colorado

[rrebell]

MDC coupler boxe lids were just rectangles of plastic or metal depending on era with a hole in them of course. Kadees fit just fine, you are just missing the plate, maybe someone here has a few.