I purchased a coulple of bags of knuckle couples this weekend at a show and noticed that on some the springs have poped out. I also purcahsed some Roundhouse kits to go with some existing Athearns. I noticed that at times the two different manufactured cars do not exactly line up and that the Roundhouse gear box system does not allow the coupler to slide back and forth as easily as the Athearns. On car that I bought already had kadee couplers on them. I was thinking of buying a 10 pair pack of #5 from Kadee and convert my Athearns from the cheap knuckle couplers that I just bought. does that make sense? From what I have read on other posts, it seems as #5 is very common. Also, what do you all thin of Roundhouse rolling stock? I noticed that the detail and construction are not as nice as Athearn’s, so I guess I learned a lesson and will stick with Athearns.
The answer is Kadee. Or maybe “Yes, Kadee,” or perhaps “No. Use Kadee.” I like to be a positive person, and not belittle anyone who is trying to make an honest living, but the best I can say is that other manufacturers are trying hard to match the Kadee standard, but they haven’t gotten there yet.
Kadee makes a coupler gauge that you can use to add washers or shims so that all of your cars will end up at exactly the right height, and all your couplers will work properly. They make trip-pin pliers to bend those pins to make them exactly right, and even a little gizmo to help re-install those little knuckle-springs.
Mister Beasley covered it, one more item, although #5 is common, Kadee makes a whole array of knuckle couplers and configurations for mounting to accomodate the variey of manufacturers’ cars. #5 will get you through most cars but not all. The kadee height adjusment tool Kadee sells is a must if you want the couplers to mate properly.
I will agree to, use the KADEE’s. The #5 will work fine. As far as the Roundhouse not being as nice as paint jobs or detail, in my own opinion they are about equeal. Unless you bought some of the RTR Athearns then thats a different ball game then.
Yes, when a Kadee #5 is dropped into an Athearn they are a bit low. They do make red washers (0.15" thick) that one under each truck will raise the coupler to the proper height.
In my opinion this is the biggest fault of the Roundhouse cars. The situation you describe happens when the screws on the coupler box are tightened too tightly. Back them off a tiny bit and they will swing better. However, often once they are tightened that hard, they won’t stay in unless twisted that hard. What I often do is just to drill the hole deeper and tap it for a longer 2/56 screw. Worst case is to drill clear through the frame, pu***he screw through, and put a nut on the top inside the car.
Yes, an excellent idea. Kadee #5 are designed for that. Do look into the washers for them.
SO You will have treat them individually, but MDC cars’s were good, but Athearn’s are traditionally TOO LOW…
Acquire a KD#205 height gage; the large pack of 5’s (#10) for the MDC cars; and * enough #47’s with underset shank’s for the Athearn.'s. Most of the work will be ‘prying’ off the lid’s.
Note: * Rather than replacing the friction clasp’s on the ATHEARN’S , buy an Exacto knife, cut off the coupler boxes , and replace with assembled KD#5’s with KD’s coupler boxes (instead of #47) glued to the unerside. Testor’s applied with a v. small brush and a rubber based Pliobond work’s best (follow the direction’s).
Depending on age - the truck’s will roll better with KATO trucks. Try a pair and see.
Bringing these older car’s up to today’s standard’s will pay off.
#58’s are far more realistic as to prototypical size, but cost about 1/4 to 1/3 more. They sell a tool that makes inserting springs very, very easy for about 5 bucks.