I have an old metal Kadee gauge and recently picked up 2 new ones at a local RR flea market.
The ones I got are the #206 version (with a 2009 copyright on the instruction sheet) that are now plastic (Delrin or similar material)!
Any good or bad feedback/ advice on these type versus the old metal ones?
Is the older metal one still in production?
Thanks for any feedback.
Cedarwoodron
No doubt both have the same dimensions since they are both produced by Kadee. #1 Plastic is cheaper to produce than the cast metal. #2 No doubt that there is something in the metal ones that “Is known to cause cancer in the state of California” #3 It protects the layout in case someone turns the power on…DIRECT SHORT. Jerry
[quote user=“jerryl”]
#2 No doubt that there is something in the metal ones that “Is known to cause cancer in the state of California”
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Maybe, but then again, so does the plastic. California would put a warning on the air if they could find a way to hang a sign on it, although I hear it gets pretty thick in the big cities[xx(]
the new one is “dcc friendly”
I recently (Last 6 months) picked one up and it’s made of metal
They are both still being produced, but they have different features. The 205 metal product has a through hole for mounting to a test track with a screw. I see that it now also comes with a self-tapping screw to attach the coupler to the main body of the gauge. http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page205.htm
The 206 insulated product lacks the mounting screw, so it can be used around the layout. (the metal gauge can be used around the layout too, but if you are prone to being forgetful you’ll spend a lot of time looking for that short the next time you enter your train room) The insulated gauge also has an extended lid which can be used to check if the mounting height of the car floor is correct for mounting the coupler. http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page206.htm
Both of mine are metal and as old as the hills…
I been told the newer ones are indeed plastic…
Both are still made. My test track has two of the metal ones (I gapped one rail so I can apply power without a short). I was gonan get two palstic ones for the test track but then decoded to just use the pair of metal ones I had, and order a new one for the toolbox. I ordered another metal 205, so I haven’t used one of the plastic ones yet.
–Randy
The plastic one is handy for use on a powered track as it won’t cause a short.
I misplaced my old metal gauge, and replaced it with the plastic one. I like it. Like others have already pointed out, you needn’t worry about shorts. Another feature is it comes with a Kadee standard size coupler and a prototype size one. Another plus is you can drop it, and the weight of the body won’t crush the coupler, like the metal one can do. (Gee, wonder how I discovered that.)
Don
Metal one comes with both a standard and scale-size coupler as well. Which is how I’ve come to have one bin of my coupler box containing 3 couplers.
–Randy
I have come to trust Kadee with producing quality parts and tools. I solved so many of the problems I was having just by picking up one of their coupler height gauges (accidental uncoupling). Whenever I get a new piece of rolling stock or motive power, it gets checked with the coupler gauge and my trusty NMRA gauge. Just because the gauge is plastic, I wouldn’t discount it. Oh, and those Kadee “look-alikes”, then end up in the trash.
That makes sense I guess. My old metal gauge only came with the famous #5. But then, it was over 20 years old. I don’t think Kadee made a prototype back then.
Don
Actually I don’t think it was even a #5, but an older design, one with that tiny pin and a coil spring for centering. I remember you had to put the lid on it in the gauge and then peen over the center peg to hold it all together. The new versions of the metal gauge come with a whisker coupler in both regualr and scale sizes, and you just run a screw down it into the gauge body to hold it together. It sorta looks less ‘finished’ but it sure is easier than the old one. Also glad that by the time I started using Kadee couplers those old style ones were only being offered in case you needed somethign odd, and the #5 style was available for most anything you needed. The new whisker couplers are every bit as much of a leap up as that flat brass spring was over the little pin type. I’ve been using those on everything, only 2pieces to fumble with now, the coupler and the box lid. No flat spring to fall out just as you’ve got it, or to get mashed by the box lid preventing the coupler from springing back properly. Very clever, those Kadee people. I still won;t use anything but.
–Randy