Hi
Since I have started on my HO layout I always seem to have a problem with the cars coupler level. Each time theres a mismatch between both coulplers sometimes the cars would be disconneted. What should I do to make sure the couplers are leveled right.
Sincerely
Ryan LaPlaca
You need one of these: http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page120.htm
Hope this helps!
First you get the Kadee Coupler Height and Multi-Purpose Gauge and what I did was mounted about 2 ft of flex track on a level piece of wood, set the gauge at one end and put a Rix "Rail-It " ramp at the other end. After I level the couplers, I tighten one truck till it just turns then I tighten the other truck so that it will rock slightly. Some cars come from the maker right on level but others will take adding washers or filling down the bolster? (the screw hole). I hope this helps.
Kadee also offers underset and overset couplers and the washers previously mentioned, however I prefer not touse the washers as it makes the cars sit higher and can also cause the cars to wobble down the track.
You’re better off adjusting the mounting pads either by thinning (filing/sanding) or adding thin shims or using Kadee draft gear boxes and springs (which they offer separately) so you can get rid of the manufacturers box altogether.
hey that rix is cool never seen that
sometimes it nice to see great ideas like that applied to rail road hobbie
wish more were done
but I see a lot of gadgets that can be simply avoided with some common sense
like the hight gauge I just use a proto 2000 box car or others too that I know are in a safe zone and use that the cars that need help will stick out when they let go or derail
but nice to see some new products
thanks for listing them
K
The Kadee height gage also checks the trip pin height which another car can’t. You can also use the gage to mark the correct position on the car, check clearances, etc. And the height gage is anly about $8, don’t be so cheap, your cars and locos will thank you for it![:D] and it’s not new, it’s one of the oldest MR tools around and should be in every model railroader’s basic tool box.
Kadee #205 coupler height gauge on a section of track…
Eyeballing at coupler height.
Kadee #208/#209 washers
1 pkg ea. #31 #36 #39 for Passenger cars.
1 pkg ea. #42 #10 #47 for Freight cars.
or you can get the whole’ball-o-wax’ Kadee#1030 at discount. I’d also recommend a #235 spring pik and 231 / 232 springs (sproink!) for stand by’s, if you’re going to do a bunch…
Plus if you ever operate at a club, setting the couplers to an accepted standard is a must. The gauge is a must for this, it’s rigidly aligned for a coupler head center at 25/64 inch above the railhead and the trip pin 1/32 above.