Fitting Kadees to uk wagons

[@farric1]

The old hornby dublo buckeye couplers shared many of the benefits...As a kid I hated it when they switched to tension lock and can't believe in 2019 that it's still standard!

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

Thank you for buying a American made product, It's from the country i live in, And, Greetings from the USA.

[@davidspottiswoode3831]

Thanks for this… so useful and saved the blood pressure 😀

[@philbartlett7898]

Thanks very much for the video. I have been thinking about converting to Kadees, and your video presents a relaxed and watchable style. Much appreciated

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi Phil, glad you found it of use, I have not regreted the move and I would not go back to tension lock, admittedly they can be awkward and time consuming to set up however there are plenty of benefits. I find that wagons are much more stable(less derailling) when they are being pushed as well as the advantage of hands free coupling

[@charleslowther6010]

i have started to convert to kadees from all european stock; english, german for awhile now i use contacta cement by revell, first sand the sides to be glued and they do stick, was going to use epoxic , but just decided to try it that way.

[@meltonpieman959]

Thanks for putting this great video out there. I have been installing Kadees on my stock. I find that the worst are Dapol wagons. They seem to have a funny idea about the height of the NEM pockets on some of them. Still perseverance normally works (apart for on 20 ton mineral wagons - I am still trying options there ... maybe put it on eBay is the answer). Carriages can be a challenge as well. I would love a look at your cousin's 3D print of the pocket!

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

I agree with you Melton perserverance and patience are needed, thanks for the heads up with the Dapol wagons as I have not done them yet, they do have a distinct droop on them i have noticed

[@paulmacey9084]

exalant info loved your video really helped

[@daveday5507]

Even more useful than your other video on the subject. Even more thanks.

[@seanbaldwin7933]

Get the magnetic delayed uncouplers fits between rail and works awesome.

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi Sean, I used them on my Layout Earldean(once set up yep they work great), I am going to try the under track ones on my shed layout!

[@henrybest4057]

I know I'm late to the party, but if you have any of the NEM tensionlock couplings going spare, I can use them. I don't need the NEM pockets. Peter's spares are out of stock of them!

[@peterwrigglesworth7302]

Hi there great video found it very helpful and I have now decided to take the plug and change to kadee couplings those Dapol wagons are a real pain if you cut that box mount of it leaves a big hole where you want the kadee box to go Iam looking into buying a pack of Dapol/kitmaster COUPNEM00 40 Pack Of Couplings, Pockets And Mounts these will screw in well away from the dreaded hole they look like you bog standard NEM socket so in theory should accept Kadee 17/18/19 coupling

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Well Done Pete you've joined the revolution!!!!!, I had not seen those couplings you mentioned I would love to know how you get on if the 17-19's fit that would be a bonus for me as well, might be investing in some

[@peterwrigglesworth7302]

Hiya yes up the revolution comrade must admit i only came across them when i done a google/ebay search its very strange that dapol where the only company making a complete nem coupling and and pocket to fit them every ones else only do the nem couplings. Will definitely let you know how i get on just waiting for the postman to deliver them

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

The extra effort is well worth it in the end, I wont go back to tension lock now, there are so many plus points, closer coupling, hands free and ease of use, are you DCC or DC Pete?

[@peterwrigglesworth7302]

Hi yes i agree its well worth the extra effort just wish a uk manufacturer would produce them would make it a lot cheaper i know dapol do a similar coupling in N gauge so why not oo gauge I have a dcc end to end layout it will make shunting wagons so much easier for me. have you fitted any of your coaches to Kadee i know a few people have had problems with Bachmann mk1 and mk2s but have come up with some great ideas to get around it

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi Pete, if you get time check out my other vids my layout is in there western region terminus using DCC!!!!, I have not done many coaches yet most of my efforts have failed miserably so far, there was a good article in Hornby magazine the author recommended fixing them to the body over the bogies again if you have any joy would love to see it

[@SeatedViper]

And, for passenger stock of different makes and ages, the principle is the same, I suppose? Very helpful video. I've asked about this of various other KZbinrs, but no sensible replies yet!

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi Pete glad you found it usefull, I am trying them on carriages at the moment, I am going to do another video once i have a reliable working method, however if you can get hold of Hornby Magazine(issue 76, oct 2013) there was a 4 part series on kadees in which the author fixes them to the frame not the bogie

[@SeatedViper]

Thank you. I look forward to sing it.

[@SeatedViper]

Sorry. Tripine eroar again. I meant "Seeing".!!!!!!

[@SeatedViper]

I've made a start on converting old Farish, Hornby and Mainline/Dapol "pre NEM" [actually, it's so old it's "pre Zero 1"] stock to Kadee No5, using a pair of modern Dapol wagons as the height gauge. So far so good. At around 7 minutes, you show an older Bachmann wagon with coupling which just pulls out of the socket. One of the older Dapol wagons I've done has this feature. I had no trouble in replacing the couplings, by cutting off the old box in its entirety. A Mainline Siphon G has the same style of couplings. That's next in the queue and, if successful, should answer my oringinal question!!! I'll let you know if gets thrown out of the window in disgust . . .

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi Pete, I have ordered something off Ebay(waiting for it) that i am hoping will make the job alot easier it aint cheap though, as soon as i have it and had a chance to play i will post another vid.

[@t147han]

Very good .But you should use self tapping srews

[@raymondharris4898]

Have you heard of the bent shank kadee's? These I'm lead to believe are so designed to save you having to bend them yourself. I think they're called "drop shank couplings". I also believe there is a raised shank. Your videos are very informative and should be a "Must watch" for every railway modeller.

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi RaymondThank you very much for your comments, I think you are right in what you say about underset and overset shanks, but from what i have seen you cant get these in NEM 362 coupling varities, if they are then i would love to know where i can get them because it would save a lot of work!!!!!!.

[@RogerDiscombe]

Hello I keep coming back to this video as it was one of the reasons I decided to standardise of Kadee couplings and I find it very useful when I have a query. I find some wagons are easy to convert however I have problems with others. I think my main problem is that some wagons are provided with tension lock couplings that are fused into the NEM pocket. I have found some replacement NEM pockets on the web so I am now replacing the original coupling with one of these and a Kadee NEM coupling. The only problem is that some of the pockets do not fit well and the couplings is too low. I guess I could glue the pocket in place. An alternative would be to remove the NEM coupling completely and glue a Kadee 5 coupling as you suggest at the beginning of your video. I don't know if you have any view of what might the better route to adopt? A small comment about the video is that it was not clear to me when you moved from using the Kadee 5 coupling to the range of Kadee couplings designed to fit into the NEM pocket.

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi Roger, thanks for your comments, my advise would be if it has NEM pockets then keep them I only use no 5's on kit built, or older stock with no pocket, there is someone selling some good 3d printed replacement NEM pockets for various applications Including clip in and screw on that I have yet to try from that well known auction site!!!! From my experience some Bachmann wagons which have the cranked tension locks are alot harder to get right, and Dapol wagons tend to droop!!, most hornby stock is usually good, and a height gauge is a must!!! My last bit would be that consisitant height and good track laying keep everything reliable( I had trouble with coaches on my own layout) I would not go back to tension lock!!!!, good luck

[@stevemercer1793]

Very interesting and helpful video. Can you tell me where you obtained your Kadee coupling gauge? Subscribed now. Thanks.

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi Steve I think I got it from Model railways direct, Bristol way,(I think its Kadee 205) Glad you found it usefull!!!.

[@stevemercer1793]

Great :) Thanks.

[@jessenegro3688]

on the second wagon (the hornby with the clip couplings) the bottom of that hornby box clips off (at least on the stock i have with the clip in couplings). i just slotted a ez mate bachmann coupling over the pin inside the box clipped the box back together and it worked. I assume this may also work for the kadee's?

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

hello there, I might give that a try, did give it a go with the Kadee no5 without a box and it was all a bit slack, but always willing to give it a go

[@unlockingsnow73]

I’m just thinking with the materials I have available. For the Low-MAC wagon I would have 3D printed a black price of plastic to fill the gap. However do you think hot glue would stick these couplers? I don’t really want to speed money on epoxy as it’s gonna cost a lot just for he couplings (I’m Australian and anything model trains basically brakes the bank). Im hoping that if superglue won’t work started hot glue will.

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi there,Now there is something worth a go!!!, I reckon a glue gun will probably do the job, I would however say give the mounting surfaces a rub with some wet and dry to give the glue something to stick to( I Have also noticed sometimes the coupling boxs have some oily release agent on them), if it works let me know, at the moment I have no other wagons that i am trying this on, I am using some DAPOL sourced coupling box's, not sure about cost to you(www.dapol.co.uk/shop/model-accessories/coupling-systems/oo-gauge-coupling/coupnemoo-oo-gaugenem-couplings-pack-of-40--112) link to UK site, These take alot of hassle away if any good to you!!!.Hope this helps and thanks for watching

[@unlockingsnow73]

keepcalm makestuff Thank you for the fast reply I will be sure to let you know if hot glue works. I might even try filing the box to make it rough and better to stick. Some of my wagons are the old Hornby ones with metal large tension locks and instead of being screwed in it’s been like pop riveted. I already know that’s gonna be a pain. Might have to do some more R&D for that type of wagon. However I do think in the end it will be well worth it.

[@ВалерийФилиппов-д8о]

Very good. All life in the railway?

[@ВалерийФилиппов-д8о]

Very good video.

[@craigbiggar4626]

Hi, great videos, I am wondering if you have any luck or found a way to convert Peco waggons, as most of my stock is Peco

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

hello there, is it newer wagons with the coupling box?

[@craigbiggar4626]

Thanks for a prompt response , Mostly newer stock yes.

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

@@craigbiggar4626 Hi Craig, if it's the newer ones , its straight forward, use a 18/19 with the NEM tail, they do have a bit of droop, which can usually be sorted out with a bit of card in the slot(take out the slack), the most awkward ones are the Bachmann cranked tension lock, hope that helps!!!!

[@craigbiggar4626]

Thanks, I will get some and give it a go.

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi Charles, next time I so one I will give it a try

[@johnthornton3467]

In the first example your Kadee is projecting too far. The heel of the coupling only needs to be level with he buffers, which gives closer coupling. You need to drill a fresh screw hole further back.

[@johnashp]

Thank you!

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hello John, you are welcome!!!!, I am asuming from your comment that you found the video Usefull?, this was the second video, there is another vid that shows how they work if that is any use to you

[@johnashp]

keepcalm makestuff Thanks. I've just ordered some of these couplers to try them out. I'll look for the other video.

[@ianturner2229]

Might I suggest that you mention NOT to put the KayDee height gauge on the live track if using DCC - it WILL short the system straight out..... Use a spare bit of track or your unpowered programmng track for coupling measurements.

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi Ian, Thats good advice, I took it for granted that people would think that(hindsight and all that), they do make an insulated version though

[@ianturner2229]

As you rightly say, I just found a plastic kit for one in my new Kadee kit of different kadee parts ! It was just that you showed a metal one in the video that worried me, :-)

[@jdshenanigans9265]

Ive been out of model trains for some time there still packed away lol .dose these kadees add or retract the value of the uk trains and wagons. Also are they just for cosmetics or improove the operations on track .

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Hi there, on modern rolling stock with pockets makes no real difference as they just swap over not sure about older stuff if you chop of the loop as I have it might make a difference.

[@keepcalmmakestuff732]

Oh and I did not do it for cosmetic reason out my for operation, closer coupling and hands free uncoupling on layout

[@ricktherecorder4416]

‘1 or 2 mm drill’. It would be more helpful to say which. Ditto screw sizes.