I have been putting a few kits together lately and discovered that the couple boxes with a snap on bottom do not always stay locked it is metal and snaps around a tab on each side. I thought of glue but what happens when the coupler breaks (Murpheys Law). Can you drill the stud out of the box then place a screw instead or is there some aftermarket coupler box that works better. I have this issue only on certain cars and it appears to be a defect in the molding process. (Not me for once) Thank you for any suggestions Kevin
If this is HO cut the box off entirely and replace with a Kadee box. Works for me.
These sound like Athearn BB kits. The problem that I have found is in the metal clip. If I recall from a previous thread, you may be able to get improved replacement metal clips from Athearn as replacements. I have also had some luck with two pair of needle nose pliers to encourage the edge of the clip inward enough to engage the casting on the coupler pocket.
Best of luck in whatever solution you come up with.
Will
I only replace the Athearn boxes if they give trouble. Otherwise, a little bending of the metal tab is all it needs to stay in place. However, if it does give trouble, I remove the box, and use the Kadee one screwed to the floor. Keep in mind you might have to drill through the car weight to do this…
The exceptions are the Athearn tank cars. On those, the boxes have to go. They simply don’t work like they’re supposed to–the stock arrangement has a screw in the middle of the frame, and one for each truck. Because there’s nothing to hold the ends together, the coupler boxes don’t always keep the couplers in. Gluing them won’t work–if a coupler breaks, it’s impossible to change it. To remedy this, I’ll remove the lower coupler box section and drill out the top part for a 2-56 screw. Then, a Kadee box can get screwed right to the frame. Shim with washers as necessary.
Drill out the stud and tap with a 2-56 tap and use a 2-56 screw. You can even use that metal cover. Sure beats loosing a coupler during operation!!
I have a few BB kits and don’t have any problem with the type of coupler box mentioned. I will have to look for the screws spoken of on this thread, because I mix and match right now, and its sometime a pain. I will say one thing thought, if your coupler height is too low and the coupler gets caught, parts will go flying as the cover is ripped away (if going at a good rate of speed) Just my [2c]
-beegle55
If the metal coupler box cover fits too loosely, all you have to do is squeeze the sides of the cover in slightly at the point where it snaps over the lugs. I have done this many times by just squeezing between my fingers. No special tools required.
A dab of Testors modeller’s glue on each side of the snap-on coupler cover will usually work to lock the cover in place. If you need to replace the coupler later the glue is easily picked away.
Ah yes, the Athearn pop-off-and-drop-coupler-on-track problem. Couple of things you can do. First bend the coupler cover to fit tightly over the coupler box. A pair of needle nose pliers is all you need. Second, file the sides of the coupler boxes to remove the mold parting mark. This has the effect of making the molded on coupler cover retainer lugs stand up a little higher and so get a better grip on the cover. Third, inspect the cover installation to make sure it is really on right. Look to see that both of the plastic retaining lugs are seated in the cover cutouts.
As a rule, you want to be able to remove and replace old couplers, so gluing the covers on is never a good idea, plus, unless your glue application is super clean, glue will get inside the coupler box and make the coupler sticky.
Most of the Athearn coupler boxes are a bit low. To get the coupler at the right height usually requires a #6 flat washer (available at hardware stores) placed under each truck to raise the car up a tad. You want to inspect your cars for low flying couplers which can catch on turnouts and crossovers. If you find a coupler came off near a turnout suspect that the gladhand caught the turnout and pulled the coupler out of the box.
David Starr