Need help with Kadee knuckle springs

[Walter Clot]

I use the  KD spring pick.  (I have two)  I lost one and didn't find it until I bought the 2nd.  I always put my work into a large shoe box.  99% of the springs that fly off remain in the box.  I recommend using the box no matter what method you use. 

Spit!  Now that's a new one.  And it doesn't cost a cent!

[Virginian]

Hi; I took an old pair of tweezers and filed them down to a very very small point

Bingo !  Except I found a pair of tweezers that were small enough as part of a 3 pair set I got at a train show many moons ago.

[IRONROOSTER]

I use a pointed exacto knife.  slice the knife blade into the spring a few coils from one end.  Jamb the other end of the spring onto the shaft-side of the coupler.  Compress the long part of the spring with the knife and slide the short end onto the knuckel side.  Withdraw the knife.  Pratice makes perfect.

Jim 

I find this method to be quick and easy.  An Optivisor helps me see what is going on.

Enjoy

Paul 

[BAYOUMAN]

           I USE SEWING THREAD, PASS IT THRU THE SPRING. THAT GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO. NOW YOU CAN PLACE IT ON THE NUBS.  HAPPY THANKGIVENS

[Isambard]

Wearing a magnifying visor, holding the coupler in my left hand, I lick my right forefinger tip, pickup the spring lengthwise on the finger tip and put the spring in place. There's no end-wise tension place on the spring that would cause it to bounce away, the spit holds it place on the finger and with a bit of gentle pressure with the finger tip, this way and that, the spring ends are manipulated into place on the coupler nubs.

Very unsophisicated and no tech, but it works for me. Discretion is advised -use a reasonably clean finger.

[CNalways]

Hi; I took an old pair of tweezers and filed them down to a very very small point, both in width and thickness until they would just grasp one coil of the spring. When I install the spring I hold it by a coil close to one end and then put the opposite end on one of the hooks and then gently compress the spring and slip the othe end onto the other prong. Works good. Don't lose to many springs this way either. Hope this helps.

[nyc4me]

I use a pointed exacto knife.  slice the knife blade into the spring a few coils from one end.  Jamb the other end of the spring onto the shaft-side of the coupler.  Compress the long part of the spring with the knife and slide the short end onto the knuckel side.  Withdraw the knife.  Pratice makes perfect.

Jim 

ditto, well said. I'm right handed so I hold the coupler or car in my left hand and do the knife thing with the right hand.

[jim22]

I use a pointed exacto knife.  slice the knife blade into the spring a few coils from one end.  Jamb the other end of the spring onto the shaft-side of the coupler.  Compress the long part of the spring with the knife and slide the short end onto the knuckel side.  Withdraw the knife.  Pratice makes perfect.

Jim 

[PHARMD98233]

I use the xacto blade trick too.  It provides very fine control when placing the spring on the coupler "nubs".  What I do next prevents the springs from popping off the coupler the next time.  I apply a tiny amount of styrene glue onto one of the nubs to hold the spring in place.  I don't lose many springs anymore.

[BRAKIE]

A round tooth pick will work..I use one for years until I found a KD "Duel Tool" on sale and I haven't look back since.

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page309.htm

How long has Kadee had that Dual Tool on the market?  This is the first time I have heard of it.  I have the older Kadee spring pic and never did have much luck with it.  I usually use the tip of an X-Acto knife blade, but still wind up losing 4 out of 5 springs.

 

 

I don't know for sure but,found one on sale for $1.40..That's been about a year and half ago.

[mobilman44]

Hi,

I usually use the KD spring pick, but when the going gets rough, the ol Xacto knife with a pointed blade seems to work for me.

This posting reminds me putting together the old Athearn kits with real sprung trucks.  That was some fun!

Mobilman44

[cacole]

A round tooth pick will work..I use one for years until I found a KD "Duel Tool" on sale and I haven't look back since.

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page309.htm

How long has Kadee had that Dual Tool on the market?  This is the first time I have heard of it.  I have the older Kadee spring pic and never did have much luck with it.  I usually use the tip of an X-Acto knife blade, but still wind up losing 4 out of 5 springs.

 

[loathar]

The dental pick is just a pointed piece of metal with the tip bent at a 90 degree angle. I slip the spring onto the end of it. You could use 2 round toothpicks too. As long as the spring will fit on the end of one. I use the dental pick to put one end of the spring in place on one of the couplers little teets and then slide the other end of the spring off the dental pick (with the toothpick) into place on the other little teet. The toothpick helps keep the spring captured in the little coupler pocket so it doesn't fly out. Flat or round would work.

This would be SO much easier if I had a digital camera!

[Vail and Southwestern RR]

Kadee springs WILL fly, given the slightest opportunity.  This is equally true of the heavier 'draft' springs in #4 boxes (and boy did I just date myself terribly!)

To clip their wings, run a length of thread (one end still attached to the spool or bobbin) through them before trying to install them.  Once they are in place, a gentle pull, longitudinal to the spring, will extract the thread.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

That's a clever idea!

 

[tomikawaTT]

Kadee springs WILL fly, given the slightest opportunity.  This is equally true of the heavier 'draft' springs in #4 boxes (and boy did I just date myself terribly!)

To clip their wings, run a length of thread (one end still attached to the spool or bobbin) through them before trying to install them.  Once they are in place, a gentle pull, longitudinal to the spring, will extract the thread.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[ARTHILL]

The trick may be practice.

I put the tool as close to one end of the spring as possible.

I try to hold a thumb or fingur over the area when I put it in, to kind of hold things in place.

I bought a lot of extra springs.

[BRAKIE]

A round tooth pick will work..I use one for years until I found a KD "Duel Tool" on sale and I haven't look back since.

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page309.htm

 

[Blind Bruce]

Lothar, is that a flat toothpick or a round pointy one? Also I don't quiite see how the dental pick is used :(

[loathar]

I clamp the shank of the coupler in a large pair of vise grips spring pocket up to keep it from moving. I then use a dental pick and toothpick to put the spring in. I put the spring on the dental pick and then kind of slide it in place with the toothpick. The toothpick keeps it flying off into space.  My magnavisor really helps in doing these.

[Blind Bruce]

I finally lost a knuckle spring from a #148 whisker coupler. Anticipating this I have a Kadee 235 spring pick. I thought this will be a walk in the park. Alas, the pick holds the spring as advertised but the spring still flys away when I try to bend it to the moveable part of the knuckle. Is there a trick to this? I have tried four times and still don't have it back. I tried a new spring too.