Has anyone found an alternative to Kadee coupler springs (No 5) on Ebay or similar as they have not been easy to get here in Australia and I am well away from a hobby shop like a lot of you on the other side of the pond!
Thanks in Anticipation
Trevor
Hey Trevor,
Have you tried to order directly from Kadee?
https://kadee.com/htmbord/orderpl.htm
Kadee #5s actually have two springs, one that goes into the coupler box, and the other which keeps the actual coupler jaws (knuckles) closed. When you order, make sure you are getting the right spring. You probably knew that.
Cheers!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I just did a quick advance search on eBay. The search text was "kadee 634". The centering springs for Kadee #5 couplers are part number 634 from Kadee; they are sold in packages of twelve.
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There is actually one seller in Australia offering these for sale at less than 3.5 Australian Dollars.
Is that a good solution for you?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Trevor,
The other spring is the "knuckle spring" #622, 12 for $1.45 US I doubt you will find a substitute. I'm sure if you contact Kadee ( https://kadee.com/) they would be happy to sell them to you. Being small and light, they should ship 1st class mail to OZ. Buy several packs to make it worth your while. Good luck!
MBKlein has knuckle springs 12 for $1.09, centering springs are 12 for $2.49
How many do you need?
Lonnie UtahHow many do you need?
Now there is what the forums are all about! (I'm assuming that Lonnie is offering some for free). If you need more than what Lonnie is offering send me a PM with your address and I will contibute some too. I should have offered to do so the first time around.
hon30critter Lonnie Utah How many do you need? Now there is what the forums are all about! (I'm assuming that Lonnie is offering some for free). If you need more than what Lonnie is offering send me a PM with your address and I will contibute some too. I should have offered to do so the first time around.
Lonnie Utah How many do you need?
Yup. I don't have very many (only been in the hobby about 6-7 months), but I have enough to spare. An airmail stamp to Australia is only about $1. The way I've got it figured, I gotten at least $1 of info out of these forums and don't have any problem paying it forward...
We still don't know which springs are needed, though. I've got lots of knuckle springs, but not much in the way of centring springs. I use the latter for making wheel wipers for added current pick-up.
Wayne
Hi fellas,
It is the knuckle spring but I can try a direct orderingfrom Kadee... the issue seems to be excessive postage. US suppliers get a spot on Ebay but what you would not see is $25 postage ... on a load of springs???
Thank you for your kind offers of help ... it may still be needed!!!
Cheers from Australia
www.xdford.digitalzones.com for your interest!
Trevor, I've sent you a PM regarding a good and affordable source for those knuckle springs.
The problem is that the springs will need to go in a box. They will get damaged in a letter. A box under 8 oz ships to you for $13.75. A single car and the springs will also ship for the same amount. If your weight goes to 9 to 32 oz the shipping cost goes to $22.5. This is where it can get tricky for the buyer and seller. In this case you could easily ship three cars and the springs. Note, weight is the factor. Cars in boxes weigh close to 16 oz and two may push it over 32 oz. the next increment cost is $33.75. The point is that you should be able to combone with an additional item or items to keep the total shipping per item more reasonable.
So many trains, so little time,
Larry
www.llxlocomotives.com
There is a way to pack the knuckle springs and similar items for reasonably safe shipping in a standard envelope. You need a few pieces of envelope sized heavy card stock, i.e. something like shoe box material. Cut a hole in one or two pieces (depending on the thickness of the card stock) large enough to hold the bag of springs. Tape the springs to an un-cut piece of card stock so that the piece(s) with the holes will fit over the springs. Then add the pieces with the holes so that the springs are centered in the 'pocket'. Then place another sheet of un-cut card stock on top and tape everything together. In effect, you have created a sandwich with a gap in the middle that will protect the springs from being crushed when being processed.
Many of the bulk packs of Kadee couplers I have purchased have extra springs incluced in little, clear "pill capsule" containers. Using Dave's method of cutting out a recess in a piece of chipboard you could probably get the springs shipped in a regular kraft envelope with minimal crushing.
Good Luck, Ed
This problem seems to be getting terribly complicated. How about a small padded envelope, maybe 4 x 6 inches? Office Depot, Staples all sell them. USPS quotes $6.97 for a six ounce First-Class Mail® International Large Envelope. It can be 15 x 14 x 3/4 inch thick.
I've used a method similar to that suggested by Dave, and have shipped all sorts of small, fragile items that way, including to Australia, without damage. Postage is simply letter rate.
EDIT: I've been using Kadees since the mid-'50s and seldom lose or damage a knuckle spring. Having had lots of cars and locomotives over that period, all Kadee equipped, the two extra springs in each package of couplers do add up. I just now dumped mine out into a heap and counted out 50...perhaps a little more, as two or three can easily get intertwined. From that little pile of 50, I estimated there to be at least 600 or 700 of them. I'm just waiting to hear from Trevor.
I just now heard from Trevor, and will take care of the spring supply for him. It's good to see so many folks willing to help a fellow modeller.
doctorwayneI just now heard from Trevor, and will take care of the spring supply for him.
Strong work Doc. Good Show!!