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Kadee Coupler installation

Discussion in 'Tutorials' started by paul_l, Mar 7, 2016.

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Mar 7, 2016 #1

paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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Hi

A short video on installation of Kadee couplers.

The link

https://youtu.be/HLGVA5gJyHk

Paul
Mar 7, 2016 #2

paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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You may need to use the pause button.

Sorry - I will need to edit it, any other changes let me know before I get the scissors out

Paul
Mar 7, 2016 #3

Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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Great video Paul.

Cheers

Toto
Mar 11, 2016 #4

Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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I agree, great video. I have a video stashed away somewhere, where I show the 308 magnet being used. If you don't mind, I'll dig it out and add to your thread.

Question, How do you find the Bachmann Ezi-mate couplers ? I have read a few negative reports on these couplers. If I'm correct, they are all plastic apart from the 'tail' or 'uncoupling arm'.

Cheers, Gary.
Mar 12, 2016 #5

paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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Hi Gary

I've heard negative reports as well - after I had bought a shed load - hattons were clearing cards of 12 pairs for £2, couldn't resist. The main comment seems to be them breaking under heavy load. As my max train length on Victoria road is 42" (or 1.07m for the young wippersnappers) I don't think I will be too worried. They were also far more susceptable to the placement of the #321 uncoupling magnet. With the neodyium magnets they certainly move now.

The cost of fitting #321's was also prohibative, I would need 6 for the traverser, 2 for each platform road (8) plus 3 more for the head shunts and parcels 17 in all, at £6 per pair I was looking at £54 plus p&p. Current price from http://www.guysmagnets.com for 34 22x11x2mm magnets is £18.68

Love to see the #308, post away

Paul
Mar 12, 2016 #6

Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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Well, I guess you can't complain about the cost of the Bachmann couplings ! Good to read that they suit your needs. You memtioned that they are susceptable to the placement of the #321 uncoupling magnet. Is this because of the height the tails sit at or the type of metal they are made from ??

Here is the video of the Kadee 308 under track magnet used with Kadee No.18s (loco) and No.19s on the coach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD9J4XwH6Yk

As can be seen in the video, the track is sat upon 6mm thick cork floor tiles and the magnet sat between. Yes the magnets are very thick compared to the neodymium magnets, but as the video shows, they work great. The neodymium magnets far outweigh the Kadee 308, if cost is concerned

Cheers, Gary.
Mar 13, 2016 #7

Sol Full Member

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I am a Kadee user of many years but I had tried the Bachmann Ezy-mate. V1 was terrible as did pull apart due to the plastic finger on the side of the knuckle but with V2 with a coil spring like Kadee, they became very good, almost to Kadee standard.
Mar 13, 2016 #8

paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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Hi Ron

Your layout was one of the inspirations for me moving over to Kadee's, before seeing them on your layout I'd always just considered them for non UK based layouts.

I think I have a few of the Mk1's, but fortunately the majority are Mk2's

Anyone comming across the Ezmate cupler - Mk1's are in a Yellow / Orange blister pack, the Mk2's are in a blue blister pack, and does mention Mk2 somewhere on the packed.

Gary

Maybe tempting for Viccy Rd Mk 2 - the extension years

Paul
Mar 13, 2016 #9

Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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Hi Paul, Ron,

I as you know Paul have started fitting some Kadee's. I have had limited success but I'm hanging on in there. Any lack of success I feel, for me, is down to the wagons fitted possibly needing a bit more weight in them.

I have used the same approach to magnets as yourself Paul, the rectangular type under each rail and they work a treat but I think the wagons need more weight to help the couplings engage more positively.

I'll no doubt be back on the subject before long as Highbridge is on the move again.

For the benefit of Sol, the R & GLR is in the background for the moment as Highbridge is primarily to hone my skills a bit as I've never really attempted much before apart from the baseboards and track laying.

Anyway You can keep an eye open for me hitting the subject again. I'll do a video and you can maybe let me know how best to improve on it.

Cheers

Toto
Mar 13, 2016 #10

Sol Full Member

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As some of you know, I use 3mm cube rare earth magnets as per http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=8481&forum_id=6

and to instal Kadee http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=8591&forum_id=156
Mar 20, 2016 #11

ed Full Member

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Nice video Paul.

I've been looking at E-Z mate and/or Kadees this week for a specific train

Ed
Mar 20, 2016 #12

Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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Hi Ed,

I've been lucky enough to be able to try the Kadee's out on Paul's Victoria Road and they work well. The magnets in particular work a treat. Worth a go.

Toto
Mar 20, 2016 #13

paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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Hi Ed

as Ron pointed out, avoid the Mk1's if you can,

The Mk2's are far better,

Blue backing card, plus has MARK II under the EzMate branding.

Paul
Mar 20, 2016 #14

ed Full Member

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Noted, thanks chaps.

However, I've just bought a 'used' set of E-Z Mate from you know where, so no packaging.

Any way of telling the difference if not in original packaging?

Only for a bit of testing, as in general I'm using the Brian Kirby/Gormo staple system.

(If it ever gets warm enough for me to get out in the garage, and stay out there longer than it takes just to run a loco up and down a bit )

Ed
Mar 20, 2016 #15

gormo Staff Member Administrator

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G`day Folks,

I read somewhere, can`t remember where now, something about optimum weights for wagons and I think it was in relation to running characteristics and possibly couplings.

May be worth a search on the net Toto.......unless one of you guys already have the info.

http://www.click Gormo

Edit.......found it!!!!

AMRA Mass Standard
Mar 20, 2016 #16

Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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Hi Gormo,

I'll have a read at that thanks.

Toto
Mar 20, 2016 #17

paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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Hi Gormo / Toto

I use at least 1ounce per axel a nominal 28 to 35 g or in real money 1 to 1.25 ounce per axel.
The weight is needed for two reasons, a). to keep the wagon on the track, especially round corners - more necessary on long trains, and b) stop the magnets being able to attract and pull the wagons via the steel axels fitted to most UK stock.
This is also one of the advantages of the shorter 22mm long neodyium magnets over the 50mm long Kadee uncouplers, you dont need to move the wagon as far to be clear of the magnetic attraction.

Paul
Mar 20, 2016 #18

Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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Hi Paul,

That's great, I only have about 100 wagons to go then.

Cheers

Toto
Mar 20, 2016 #19

paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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Hi Toto

Self adhesive tyre balace weights, are good, but also various coins of the realm work as well.

Paul
Mar 21, 2016 #20

Sol Full Member

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ed wrote:

Noted, thanks chaps.

Any way of telling the difference if not in original packaging?

Ed
Click to expand...

Ed, in Mk1, the "spring" that keeps the knuckle closed is a thin piece of styrene moulded but in Mk 2. it uses a small coil spring like Kadee.

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