Kadee vs. McHenry couplers

[Anonymous]

On my last layout I converted all my diesel engines and rolling stock from plastic hookhorn coulpers to Kadee#5. Once adjusted properly they worked just fine. Now I read about the McHerny couplers. Has anyone used them? How do they compare to Kadee? Is it worth switching over or stick with what I have? Also can anyone give some information or links about installing either Kadee under track magnetic uncouplers or the Atlas deadend uncoupler? Which would be best for a small switching layout? Any help and ideas will be appreciated. Thanks-Bob

[Anonymous]

The consensus is KD
KD produces over 40 different coupler amd hardware sets in both metal and acetal plastic, conversion kits, shims,washers, height gauge, trip pin wheesets and four uncouplers.
You have a great selection with KD. KD has a site, www.kadee.com and you can click on comany infor, click on E-Mail and their E-Mail form pops up.

You can E-Mail Sam Clarke, conversion specialist, should you not be able to get the answer here.
This is what Sam gets paid for, so don't hesitate.

[Anonymous]

Bob: stick with KD's, you can not go wrong. Our club got a deal on some McHenry's to try out for one of the local hobby shops. Experienced problems with them after a short while so it was back to all kd's.
As Charles says KD has a great web site, you can get a list of all the equipment and what KD is the proper one for it. They may be a little more money but when properly adjusted you can not beat them. For the small switching layout I do not think you can go wrong. As far as any of the magnets go just follow the instructions that come with the magnet. I use between the track ones where there is a road crossing, otherwise I use under the ties ones. Just dig down below the rails to the thickness of the magnet, glue some stained ties to the top of the magnet, I use Walthers goo, then slide the magnet in its spot and put the track over top. The balast will cover the magnet. If you plan and place your magnets properly you will lots of enjoyment switching the layout.
Web site: www.kaydee.com
Ron.

[Anonymous]

I believe the general web site is www.kadee.com.
There is also a secondary one just for the conversion list that is also published in the Walthers reference book.

www.kadee.com/conv/list.htm

[BR60103]

Bob:
The main selling points on McHenry are that they are compatible with Kadee and they're cheaper.
You don't meed to replace your Kadees but you might buy a few McHenries and the other clones to try them out.
You still need Kadee for all the odd mountings that they have available.
David

[Anonymous]

Bob:
I've been using KD's for everthing, they work much better then any other brand. The price is worth the quality. Have you tried the Kd #58. they are a "scale coupler". they look great on loco's, and cabboses.

[Anonymous]

Ron- Is there a difference between the between the rail magnets and the under the track ones? Can the between the rails on be mounted under the track?

[Anonymous]

Bob: The between the track ones are long and narrower, aprox 2" by 1/2 inch (aprox 14 1/2 by
3 1/2 scale feet) they appear to be about one half the thickness of the under the track magnet. The under track ones are 1 1/2 inches by 2 inches, again about double the thickness of the between rail ones. This leads me to believe that the under the rails ones are a little stronger, they seem to take a little more effort to pull apart. I have never used the between rails ones under the tracks, I will write KD and see what they say. I will also give it a try on a scrap test track, this will have to be after the weekend as have plans to be away, do some visiting and try sneek in a train show. Will let you know either way.. Ron..

[Anonymous]

I've used the Kadees for years and they are the most reliable. Recently I have been experimenting with the MCHenrys on my Rivarossi passenger cars. So far they have worked well.

[Anonymous]

In the April issue of MR there is an article on improving performance of the Kadee under table magnetic uncoupler.You might want to check it out,it looks easy to make the improvement. horailfan