COUPLERS

[Anonymous]

Kadee #5's work for me!

[Anonymous]

Quick question: Anyone know the LAST year that the Mantua loop type couplers were made? I assume the brass loops came first, followed by the steel loops, with the aluminum loops being last, no? Thanks!
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Gee, I guess I'm in the majority on this one. HEHE

[Anonymous]

KADEE KADEE KADEE

[Anonymous]

I use Kadee #5s and EZ mates. I am planning to replace the EZs, though.

[Anonymous]

I used to use Kadee #5s, but it got to a point that they were out of them half the time at the hobby shop. So I started using Accumates and have been using them ever since. So far they have worked fine.

Georgia Boy

[Anonymous]

I prefer Kadee couplers, but will use the plastic McHenry, Accumate, etc that comes on a lot of the new rolling stock. Since my layout is primarily a switching layout there is no danger of slack action on a long train damaging the plastic stuff. If the plastic couplers should break, however, it's Kadee to the rescue! I am in HO, by the way.

Do most of you use the magnetic uncoupling ramps? I use a bar b q skewer from the grocery store for uncoupling. That way I can drop a car anyplace on the layout without worrying about magnet placement.

[n2mopac]

You left off N scale's Micro Trains, but I put down Kadee, it originator.
Ron

[Anonymous]

Like wheel sets, I stay with the same brand. I use Kadee couplers. Other brands of couplers didn't exist at the time. I don't like the Kadee wheel sets with their plastic axles. They can bend if you're not careful when you have to gage the wheels.

[Anonymous]

Kadees. Nothing else is worth the effort, though I use a few E-Z-Mates on locos and cars I've not yet converted. I tend to use the #58s on passnger cars and the #5s on freight - some of my freight cars need offset couplers, and there is no offset version of the #58 as yet.

[Anonymous]

I run long and heavy trains. And the best results are the Kadee´s.

Have also some cars with E-Z and McHenry but, as example, all my newer Walthers passengercars - something between 70 or 80 cars, most AMTRAK and UP - are converted to KADEE instead of E-Z.

The longest train is a 100+ cars BNSF coaltrain - try it with E-Z and McHenry - couplerbreaking was the result, with KADEE no problem.

[philnrunt]

I tried McHenry and spent way too much time walking the length of the train to find the broken knuckle.
Had a meeting with the brass and flat laid down the law , no compromise, she said we could probably afford Kadees again so thats what I'll stick with...(as long as it's ok with the brass).
But those broken McHenry's (about 12, at last count) sure look good lying alongside of the track.

[Anonymous]

Kadees are THE best . I model HO scale so I use mainly #5s with other Kadee couplers as needed , whatever puts the couplers at the correct height +distance between cars+locos. Kadee couplers don't have plastic springs that quit working after a period of time.

[Anonymous]

In this case you just no substitute for the original

[Anonymous]

I use #5 Kadees, as they are really strong, and fairly realistic, but the first thing I do to them is cut off the uncoupling lever, making them look more realistic! Whoever thought up the idea for uncoupling levers should have thier head examined!

[Anonymous]

I got a pack of Kadee #5's and [:D] the face describes it all. so i bought 40 pairs to put on my rolling stock [:)]. the only problem is not enough rolling stock [:(].

[Anonymous]

Only Kadee. I have tried others. The Athern look alikes fail to perform the job.
Lindsay

[mondotrains]

I'll give you a tip on getting that little spring in place. Use an X-acto knife, with a number 11 blade or similar and place the blade between the wires of the spring, near the end of the spring. Then, carefully place the spring on the pin on the coupler and attach the other end. There is a tool made by Kadee that is meant to do what the blade will do, but it is made so that it "grabs" the spring and won't let go as easily. I've bought the tool and it has paid for itself in less aggravation and savings associated with fewer lost springs flying around my hobby room.

Hope this helps.
Mondo

QUOTE: Originally posted by easyaces

Kadee #5's are what I use. Every loco and piece of rolling stock I have has them on them. Only bad thing is loosing one of them teeny-tiny springs on them,or trying to get another one in place![:(!]

[Fergmiester]

Kadee! Is there anything else?

[BNSFNUT]

Kadees only, I have been using them for years and years with no problems. If its not broke dont fix it. I have had some plastic couplers that can on the RTR stuff I bought but do not like them. The couplers that ATLAS use are a real problem as my switch lead is on a curve and the seem to come uncoulpled a lot after the cut of cars has been pushed.
I replace all plastic couplers with Kadee before placing them in service.

[BentnoseWillie]

Kadee 58's for all new installations and replacing any 5 that needs servicing.

Kadee 5's where already installed until they need servicing.

Zero plastic couplers.

[AntonioFP45]

Kadee all the way.

[:)][8)][;)]

[cwclark]

engines...KADEE #5...CAbooses...KADEE #5....Rolling stock...KADEE #5....yep...KADEE #5's!....don't lose the spring!...it's a booger to find it in the carpet!

[Anonymous]

I use a combination of Kadee's, McHenry and Bachmann E-Z Mate, and they all seem to work well together. I like the McHenry because they don't use that small spring in the knuckle as in Kadee, which sometimes fail.

[easyaces]

Kadee #5's are what I use. Every loco and piece of rolling stock I have has them on them. Only bad thing is loosing one of them teeny-tiny springs on them,or trying to get another one in place![:(!]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willy6

i use KADEE'S #58, just curious what everyone uses and why.

Same here. I use them because Kadee are the best couplers you can buy, and the #58s are closer to scale.

[Noah Hofrichter]

I use kadees where possible, and i'm trying to figure out how to change some horn hook cars in to Kadees. I use some (very few but some) Bachmann EZ mates.

Noah

[CP5415]

If knuckle couplers come on the car/locomotive, I'll use them until it breaks.
When they break & they will, I then switch over to KD's

Gordon

[fiatfan]

I run short 10-12 car trains so I don't need the added strength of the metal couplers. However, the main reason I don't use the KD is that I've always had a problem installing the spring correctly. I can never seeme to get it in place without bending the spring. I have been very satisfied with the delayed action and have no problems with the reduced strength of the palstic. Overall, I am very happy with the McHenry couplers.

Tom