Trip Pin Frustration

[RR_Mel]

I’ve always been a Kadee Coupler Gauge guy.  I always make sure the coupler draft box is at the correct height and I’ve never had to adjust a new bought coupler trip pin.  The only trip pin adjustment needed is a damaged one or a second hand coupler (used purchase).

 

I have cut over to the Kadee #119 Scale Shelf Couplers for my passenger cars because I rarely uncouple any of my passenger trains except to remove them from my layout.  That stops accidental uncoupling by visiting observers.

 

The #119 has whisker centering springs and sometimes they need shimming in older draft gear.  The Kadee #5 brass centering insert works great after trimming off the sides with sharp diagonal cutters.

 

Because of the slightly smaller size of the Kadee Scale Couplers I’m planning to convert my freight rolling stock also.  I don’t have a huge quantity of rolling stock like most on the Forum and I’m not a rivet counter but I do like the closer to scale size of the Scale Couplers.

 

When I have a derail from the trip pins it is always a damaged coupler of draft gear, normally caused by the finger method.  The older I get the more I drop stuff and I’m normally super clumsy.  Invariably the coupler gets the worst end of the mishap.  If any coupler looks like it might be damaged it goes into the round can and is replaced with a brand new Kadee.

 

As I overhaul or make modifications to any car it must pass the Kadee Coupler Gauge check before it’s returned to service.

 

The only coupler pins that I have cut off are on locomotive pilots where the pin would be in the way.    

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

 

[joe323]

I used to cut the pins off but that was mostly when i used inferior Kadee clones (Mostly EZ mates) but now that I have converted to all Kadees I check and adust them if needed.

[BigDaddy]

I have never used the tool.  I have always used pliers and fully expected I would break a pin, but never have.  I searched my favorite retailer Amazon and I can get one for a mere $63 and NO free shipping

"I kid you not" Jack Parr

https://www.amazon.com/Kadee-Qualtiy-Products-Trip-Pliers-KADEE/dp/B01MTL2ZIM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536361898&sr=8-2&keywords=kadee+237

[7j43k]

BigDaddy

I searched my favorite retailer Amazon and I can get one for a mere $63 and NO free shipping

"I kid you not" Jack Parr

https://www.amazon.com/Kadee-Qualtiy-Products-Trip-Pliers-KADEE/dp/B01MTL2ZIM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536361898&sr=8-2&keywords=kadee+237

 

 

You COULD go nuts and pay FULL RETAIL:   $14.70

 

Ed

[RR_Mel]

BigDaddy

I have never used the tool.  I have always used pliers and fully expected I would break a pin, but never have.  I searched my favorite retailer Amazon and I can get one for a mere $63 and NO free shipping

"I kid you not" Jack Parr

https://www.amazon.com/Kadee-Qualtiy-Products-Trip-Pliers-KADEE/dp/B01MTL2ZIM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536361898&sr=8-2&keywords=kadee+237

 

That’s a bit high Henry.   Model Train Stuff has the tool for $11.69.

 

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/kadee-ho-237-coupler-trip-pin-pliers/?ne_ppc_id=1079742151&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8vjq34qq3QIVTL7ACh26VwHdEAQYASABEgIw0vD_BwE

 

I think I paid about $8 for my tool back in the 90s at my LHS.

 

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

 

[angelob6660]

I wouldn't buy the trip pin pliers. It's a unnecessary tool, just use a regular set of pliers.

[Graham Line]

Shimming inside the coupler box isn't the cure for coupler height problems. Shims keep the coupler from flopping through too great of a vertical range. Our shims are generally .005 or .010. It greatly reduces the chances of unwanted uncoupling.

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

RR_Mel

 

 

BigDaddy

I have never used the tool.  I have always used pliers and fully expected I would break a pin, but never have.  I searched my favorite retailer Amazon and I can get one for a mere $63 and NO free shipping

"I kid you not" Jack Parr

https://www.amazon.com/Kadee-Qualtiy-Products-Trip-Pliers-KADEE/dp/B01MTL2ZIM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536361898&sr=8-2&keywords=kadee+237

 

 

 

 

That’s a bit high Henry.   Model Train Stuff has the tool for $11.69.

 

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/kadee-ho-237-coupler-trip-pin-pliers/?ne_ppc_id=1079742151&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8vjq34qq3QIVTL7ACh26VwHdEAQYASABEgIw0vD_BwE

 

I think I paid about $8 for my tool back in the 90s at my LHS.

 

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

 

 

Amazon is full of great deals, and also full of small vendors looking to take advantage of people........

Sheldon

[maxman]

BigDaddy

https://www.amazon.com/Kadee-Qualtiy-Products-Trip-Pliers-KADEE/dp/B01MTL2ZIM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536361898&sr=8-2&keywords=kadee+237

Well, I went to the Amazon website and had a chat with "Phoebe".  Told her that there seemed to be a problem with the pricing.  Not sure she totally understood me, but I believe that I got her attention when I told her that I belonged to a forum and the members thought that Amazon was ripping people off.  She said she would escalate the issue.

Maybe nothing will happen, but at least I tried.