Couplers for Athearns SD9

[Anonymous]

Hello to all, I am new to this hobby and i am trying to change over the very bad ouplers that came on my engine and I purchased some #5 Kadee couplers but it looks as if this coupler will not work on my Engine which one should I be using???[?]

[Anonymous]

ON my Athearn Sd9's, I drilled and tapped the hole on the coupler mounting pad for 2-56 screws. I then filed the pad down with a dremel and a file. This takes alot of patience and test fitting. You have to file evenly and keep the pad parallel to the rails. Keep your coupler height guage handy and test fit as you go. Be careful not to file off too much. I used #5 boxes on my SD9 units but you could use the 30 series boxes. They may be better to use. I use 30 series boxes on all the other Athearn units when using the frame mounts. I have body mounted the couplers in 30 series boxes on most of my Athearns since I have put plows on them. The ones that do not have plows are still frame mounted.

[AntonioFP45]

Thanks for the input Rocky451.[:)]

I still have a bunch of the older "blue box" Athearn locomotives and for me, adopting the KD #5s has always been a "chore"[|(]! Since my modeling times are limited, I'd rather spend time painting and decaling locomotives and rolling stock[^]. I'm going to check out the 30 series Kadees on my next trip to the LHS which will be in a few days.[;)][8D][:D] Peace and God Bless!

[SSW9389]

A Kadee #38 would be used on the Athearn SD9.

[Anonymous]

Here's a KD#38 link
www.kadee.com/htmbord/page83.htm

For subsequent conversions go to
www.kadee.com/conv/list.htm

You can also view all the couplers #s by going to
www.kadee.com and clicking on the specific coupler #
within product range 1-79

[Anonymous]

thanks for the help from all that replied I really needed it now I can get that Enginge done and back on track where it belongs rather then on my bench.[8D]

[Anonymous]

The #5's will work fine. They are the same size as the 38's. I have used 38's and 5's in the 30 series box. The 38's are plastic and 5's are metal. Both are very strong. The 5's in 30 series box is cheaper to do if you have several engine to put couplers on.

[SSW9389]

Kadee does not make plastic couplers. The #38 is metal just like the #5.

Satisfied Kadee user since 1980! And yes I've tried those plastic couplers that look like Kadees and no I don't use them, nor will I ever use them on anything that goes on the line.

[Anonymous]

I use Kaydee ONLY but the 30 and 20 series are Delrin plastic. They are not the flimsy plastic that the Bachmann on Mchenry's are .They are strong and not metal like the #5's. Try bending them. The 5's do not flex. The 20 and 30 series flexes. Both have metal knuckles. Just the shanks are delrin on the 20's and 30's. I have most all series of Kadee in my parts box and use them ALL with confidence. The only couplers that I have not immediately replaced with Kadees when putting rolling stock in service are the Accumates. At least not yet.

[Anonymous]

Details on the #38:
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page83.htm