Assembling Kadee Couplers

Hi All  I really do hope that I am in the correct section??
A generous "local club member" has given me some Kadee couplings, but, they need assembling. I have two halves of the gearbox and the knuckle, and a piece of copper (with one gear box assembled) but for the life of me? I cannot replicate the assembled gearbox . They are so fiddly!
Would some kind member please, give me a "Shove in the correct direction" as I am being driven to distraction . Thanking you in advance
all the best. Kevin

Can I assume you mean #5 couplings Kevin?  I agree they are a bit fiddly but not impossible.

Lay the phosphor bronze (not copper) spring on the flat or top piece of the gearbox with the open end of the spring facing the lip end of the top.

Put the coupling, with the trip pin up on the spring giving it a bit of a wiggle to seat it.

The really fiddly bit is to now put the other half of the gearbox on and I guess this will have to come with practice.  When you finally get everything together, splosh some plastic weld on the join and leave it to set.  I use small plastic spring clamps for this.  I must have done hundreds.

John

PS If they are from the #7, 16 etc. family - bin them - you need a jig and even then they are fiddly and fragile.  They've been discontinued and for good reason IMO.

Hi John                Thank you for your reply. The chap that had the couplings, kept them loose in a plain brown cardboard box, and I do not know which couplings they are. But they may have been mixed?? as there were some metal and some "Black Metal" parts. Bearing in mind what you said, I will take heart and have another go.              all the best  Kevin

Maybe the thing to do is to get yourself a pack of #5 couplings, then you can see what's what.  They aren't that expensive and it might be more efficient to go with new.  The newer design whisker spring couplings, #148, are much easier to assemble:

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page148.htm 

I would recommend these for the "cackhanded".:cool wink

John

They are indeed fiddly little things Kevin.  I bought one of the Kadee assembly jigs and, once you learn which way up the parts go, it makes assembly a doddle.  If you plan to do more than a few, I'd thoroughly recommend the jig.   It's not particularly expensive. :thumbs

Hi John              Thank you again, I had already purchased some 17 couplings that fit straight into the NEM pockets, but Nigel has advised me against them. As they become worn, and drop off. And when a "Good Samaritan" offered these couplings it seemed silly to offend him.But I will take your advice and go for No 5's. I saw a Youtube Video where a chap unscrewed the original coupling, and screwed on a Kadee.But that was with a Bachmann US Version of a Tanker with trucks. Where my Wagon Couplings fit on the sole bar, which means my couplings are set "Too Far Back" making it impossible to use them in that fashion. So it looks like a "Glue Job" all the best  Kevin

Hi Petermac             Thank you for your reply, I got so fed up of trying, and I had the idea of threading the components onto a small screw driver.  Do you still use P and H for your supplies??            all the best  Kevin

Kevin, you mean NEM #17 couplings?  I've used a lot of NEM couplings but never #17 - too short.  I find #18 work well for wagons and #20 for coaches.  (Caveat - subject to layout curves).

If you are fitting #5s to a wagon not equipped with NEM dovetail, then yes, a glue job.  You can use bolts/screws (and I used to) but I've found glue works fine.

This might help:

http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=10043&forum_id=62&page=17

Peter, you don't need a jig for #5s - #7s yes.

John

Kevin, also have a read of this

http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=8591&forum_id=156

Hi John.  Thank you, I sometimes wonder what I have got  myself into??
It was so simple 40 odd years ago, trouble is now that I have been retired for so long, I have got into a rut, and my health has suffered, now I need to get fit. And the "Rut" I now find myself in is part of a "Health Regime" which is called Walking away from diabetes, I rise early have breakfast and a cuppa. March to the allotment where I attend to why. Then home via the shops, Doctors or Hospital or who ever? Then I try to do something constructive, but it is better in the Winter while the allotment is quiet, so for now I can note the info. buy the goods and catch up when the clocks go back. Deo Gratias.  all the best. Kevin

Hi Ron.   Thank you for your reply, it looks "so simple" when I watch
YouTube (must be time lapse photography )? Especially as I said in my reply to John (Brossard), about the chap who converted a tanker with bogies( or trucks) where the Kadee fitted straight onto the previous hole.
The ex GW Pannier xx57 is more of a "Cut and Shut" or why one calls it with Loco's , Carefully take apart, watch the decoder and speaker wiring, try not to drop anything ? :oops: and then say " Oh Calamity"
Well I guess you may know? or not what I mean. If it were so simple?
       all the best  Kevin

[user=565]Brossard[/user] wrote:

……………………………………………….

Peter, you don't need a jig for #5s - #7s yes.

John

Not wishing to be contentious, I think we'll agree to disagree on this one John.

http://kadee.com/htmbord/page701.htm

I found it an extremely useful and time saving device:

[user=606]Sol[/user] wrote:

Kevin, also have a read of this

http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=8591&forum_id=156

I'd forgotten this post Sol - an extremely useful and comprehensive thread.  Needs bookmarking. thumbs:thumbs

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

Not wishing to be contentious, I think we'll agree to disagree on this one John.

http://kadee.com/htmbord/page701.htm

I found it an extremely useful and time saving device:

Just to be pedantic, I didn't say there wasn't a jig, just that you (well I anyway) don't need one for #5s.  It looks like the one I have for #7s.

I will say that anything that makes life easier is worth having.

John

Never having used #7 John, I couldn't comment on the necessity of having the jig.  As you say, it's not "essential" for the #5, it just makes the job much easier. thumbs

Now we agree. :cheers;-)

Right and TBH, I didn't know of the existence of the jig until you posted the link - always learning.

John

Well worth the money IMHO.   Makes a right pain of a job much, much easier - almost a pleasure …………….:roll::roll::cheers

Sorry Kevin - missed your question.  Yes, I do still use P&H for my supplies although I haven't needed much recently having bought "for stock" last time I ordered.

Hi Petermac.  Not a problem, but I am still reeling at their reply to me, but if they are good for you, maybe, I will try again. all the best  Kevin

Re #5 jigs, this simply adds to the magical reality that none of us are ever too old to learn something new :)

Kevin, if fitting Kadee couplings is simply too difficult for you due to your eyesight / large fingers / small components / etc, you can of course simply use the existing tension lock couplings (the smaller Bachmann coupling is so much better than what has gone before and can even be made to auto un-couple with track magnets). Just don't put yourself through a difficult, time consuming and probably frustrating exercise if you don't need to. Our hobby is all about relaxation and enjoyment, so please enjoy what you like most about the hobby and have fun.

Very best regards,

Bill