I picked up a used N scale Kato F7A unit for my Empire Builder consist. The problem is the front coupler is Micro Trains and I can't get to couple with Kato couplers on the passenger cars. Anyone know if there a solvent or thinner that will loosen the adhesive without messing up the pilot? Thamks, John
Acetone used very carefully, use a toothpick with small quantity until debonding occurs. Do not use on clear plastics... it will cause fogging.
Another option to consider is installing one unimate tee shank coupler in the lead passenger car. (I'm assuming probably a baggage car?) You'll have to "lift couple" the two, but the unimate couples well with the Micro-Trains and is an easy drop-in on the Kato trucks.
Bob Smith Industries UN-CURE CA Glue Remover / Debonder Notes: Since cured Cyanoacrylate Glue is essentially acrylic plastic, anything that will dissolve Cyanoacrylate will also soften most plastics. Care must be used when using UN-CURE on plastics.
The MTL coupler box is glued to the pilot. This weekend I'm goingto ACE and get some acetone and see how it goes. I avoid cyanoacrylate glue whenever possible.
Woman's nail polish remover is acetone. Just get the plain variety without all the added scents and oils.
I've never heard of somebody using super glue for this. One more reason not to buy used locomotives. People do strange things to them. That said, if the acetone experiment goes South, you could always just add one of those "floorboards" and associated coupler parts to your next Kato parts order.
I would just try prying it off first. Super glue doesn't stick real well to most plastics, especially engineering type plastic of which MT couplers are made, unless whoever did it used the kind that supposedly does. I'd still try that, however. Doug
I'd be very careful with the acetone. There's got to be an easier more plastic friendly solution. The debonder is only likely damage the finish of the shell while the acetone like to melt plastic. I am thinking run an exacto blade along the glue joint using several passes and light pressure. Like mentioned above super glue doesn't adhere to the microtrains plastic that well.
Of course, the really stupid thing about super gluing the front coupler in is that the engine can no longer be disassembled. If it were me, I would cut the coupler off, remove the shell and mechanism and only work with the coupler and the engine floorboard it is attached to. That should avoid any unintended damage to the balance of the engine if using something like Acetone.
I have never attempted this procedure but possibly if you placed the parts in your freezer for a period of time, the joint might become brittle and come apart. Just thinking of possibilities, don't you smell the smoke ?
Thanks for all your help folks. Success! I applied acetone a couple of times. Then I used a pin vise to enlarge the mounting hole in the MTL coupler until there was just a small amount of the coupler left adhering to the pilot. I used need nose plyers to carefully remove the rest off. John
I'm late to this and sure most wouldn't like my solution. Convert EVERYTHING to M/T !!! ALL my stuff couples together with no problem !!! At one time even had a GF that was M/T'ed. She grabbed a pair my of 1015s and made a set of earrings !!! Now if I could just get the cat to hold still... !!!
