Do you use Kadee washers to adjust your couplers hight ? Save some $$$$

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

If you do, try this alternative bacause the Kadees are expensive!!. I went to Lowes and to Home Depot, got my best deal at Lowes. They have small bags of 10 or 12 brass washers for less than $1.00 per package[:D]!! To make a stronger point; In north Alabama there are very few hobby shops, so they are just not as available and they require no work just put em on and your done !!! Just a little info I thought you could use to save a vew bucks[;)].

2

Are you using these to shim under your cars trucks?? That’s what I use the KD’s for.
Do these from Loews list an OD,ID and thickness? If so,SWEET!!!

3

Yes, I use them under the trucks. They don’t give a OD or ID on the package but the thickness gets me near perfect everytime I need to make an adjustment. I had a lot of trouble finding the KD’s so I looked for an alternative and they work great, there in the hardware section, screws washers nuts …
Oh by the way they are #6 brass the only other useful info on the package

4

Thanks…I’ll have to look for these. $5 for ten little fibre washers from KD is[:O][:O][:O]

5

I just use sheet styrene, cut it into a small square shape, and drill a hole in it with an exacto knife just large enough to fit over the bolster hole, then cut it in an octagon shape at the corners and drop it in…one sheet of styrene can do a lot of cars and it takes about 2 minutes to make one…chuck

6

While we’re saving folks bucks…A quick cure for the chronically low KD cplrs on Athearn BB cars is to shave off the truck pivot lug on the bolster and then, after cutting off the little vertical lip on the upper (flat) part of the KD draft gear box, cement it to the bolster. Voila! perfect cplr hieght.

7

I can remember when you had to put so many washers on some Athearn freight cars to get the coupler the right that the car would wobble around the track. That doesn’t seem to be a problem with equipment I have bought recently. Most of it doesn’t need any washers at all. I have used the brass washers in place of KD washers and I think they are not only cheaper, but work better as well. I put a small drop of lubricant on them when I install them.

8

If you can find a single hole paper punch you can probably cut that 2 minutes down to about 15 seconds and each will be a perfect (or near) 1/4 inch diameter washer… Not that there’s any rush… A leather punch may also work…

Either way, great idea… I like the one about cutting down the KD draft gear box too… I knew there had to be use for that drawer full of them I’ve saved over the years…

However… to be completely fair, The MSRP price for 48 of the Kadee Red washers is $2.45 per package (US), item #208…

http://kadee.com/htmbord/page11x1.htm

Jeff

9

However… to be completely fair, The MSRP price for 48 of the Kadee Red washer$2.45 per package (US), item #208…
Not at my LHS. Got 10 in that #208 pack for $4.95. Maybe they opened the pack and took some out? I was bummed.

10

What!?!? [:0] Which washers are you talking about? The Kadee list price for a package of 4 dozen either #208 or #209 is $2.45. They are $1.98 at my LHS.

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page33.htm
http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/Description.cfm?sku=0380209

11

I would:

  1. take them back.
  2. find another LHS really quick, selling at almost 100% of MSRP!
12

Loathar, I think I would be looking for a new hobby shop… That sounds completely ridiculous to me… Here, in Michigan, even the ones that won’t “deal” don’t do things like That… I know it’s difficult to find a good hobby shop in all areas and if that’s the business practice, I can understand why one would want an alternative solution but Still…

Good luck,
Jeff

13

I second the idea of using plastic sheets and paper punches. Get styrene sheets of .010, .015 and .020 thickness. Paper punches come in diameters of 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 and 5/16. I use the 1/8 punch for the centre hole and then the 1/4 punch to cut out the washer. A sheet of each thickness that I mentioned will give you a lifetime supply of washers.

John Slean

14

The Kadee fiber washers are still the best price, you need to check your local hobby shop. I also prefer fiber over brass because it is an insolator. I try not to take chances of passing a short through metal couplers.

15

WHERE are you buying your sh----t ?

Kadee’s full RETAIL price is ( on their website)
208 Red Washers .015" 4 dz. 2.45 In Stock . You can find 25% - 30%off. easily.

IF you want to save Pennies / dimes Go ahead. Whopee! (Start saving).