Hey guys, thanks for all the support of my new product. Short box to be uploaded soon I just uploaded the "medium" length box to Shapeways and they can be found in the following links as 10, 20 and 40 packs: http://shpws.me/LbYb http://shpws.me/LbYe http://shpws.me/LbYf As Mike said above, I'd be open to designing a new coupler box specifically for Z scale couplers (in N scale applications), whether MT 903s or Full Throttle/ Bowser couplers. I can do some measuring myself for the 903 but I'm going to need some help when it comes to the Full Throttle, either in the form of a sample that I can measure or a source where I can buy some to examine. Feel free to ask if you guys have any additional questions!
Nice work! For body mounting, What min track radius would you recommend? What glue did you use for mounting?
For those of us designing an application where these might be used would it be possible to get envelope dimensions of an assembled unit including screw hole size and locations and if going for the full gusto, even the position of the coupler itself as assembled? I am working with the Z scale couplers in an Nn3 application. I have an interest for such a thing in a small mine loco engine that I have been developing. I just started detailing the body configurations and this is an issue, coupling mounts. My primary coupling style is likely to be link and pin with multiple height link pockets and using a lower height than the NMRA standard as it is more prototypical for this application, but there will likely be the need to install a standard coupler at standard height at some point. I am trying to accommodate this need in my design and some of those key dimensions would be most useful to me and I suspect to others considering using them. I am especially interested in the smallest, shortest thing possible. And while we're at it and as a general statement, I have found the lack of key dimensions (and occasionally even the scale a part is built to) to be a frustration working with many of the Shapeways products (as well as others) when trying to get a general idea for fitting things like drives or even envelope dimensions when trying to determine if something is what I want or will even work as planned. For those applications where the piece is a part that the customer has to try to fit into something, or something in to, those key dimensions would be most handy. It has come up before. Just a thought.
Can you use the current box design with MT Z couplers by using a shim INSIDE the box to remove vertical play? An application I would like to see is Z-scale couplers on the pilots of N-scale Bachmann Consolidations. I think the narrower box would help. Steve
Paint the spring black and put a dab of epoxy glue on the end to keep it in place. The biggest problems, for me, with the McHenry are that they do not come in a "T" shank and the shank could be shorter. A short shank with or without the "T" shank would make this coupler ideal for steam locomotive pilots. But alas, it is not to be
I'm confused. I body mounted most of my couplers years ago, andacombined that project with lowering. It looks like this box is made to enable body mounting without lowering the carbody over the trucks. Am I getting this right or am I just plain nuts? Bill Pearce
The frontal face "area" dimensions of each box is 4.7 by 2.7 mm when assembled, the length depends on which version you purchase or how short you will cut it down to fit your specific application. Screw holes are designed for 00--90 screws, like the ones that come with all MT couplers should you choose to screw the boxes together.
This box is meant to allow modelers to install body mounted extended cushion draft gear on cars that currently have long truck mounted couplers. But as a subset, I have also released versions that will allow a more prototypical body mount coupler box for standard length mounts. The smaller more prototypical size of this box this should make it easier to body mount when lowering cars while avoiding axle rub.
Yep, but then there is a some ugly stuff with MT's as well, so it's a trade off. To each his own, and I prefer McHenry. -Mike
Bill, this box can be used for whatever is needed. As a straight screw/glue on, it comes out to correct mounting height for unmodified MT cars. If you lower your cars, then you will need to either cut up into the body of the car or use an underslung MT coupler in this box. -Mike
Harold, I use Loctite brand super glue in the "Gel Control" and have only had a couple pop off while running trains, mainly because I'd back into a cut of cars way too hard cause I was turning the throttle the wrong way. Easy fix to just glue it back on. As to minimum track radius, if you mount these dead center on the car, it will run on the standard Atlas 9 3/4" track. Mike
Steve, it's a toss up. Because the box is taller, the little nubs that stick up on the coupler shank won't fall into place in the coupler box. But there still is a bit of centering that happens when the coupler is pushed side to side. A box specifically designed for a MT 903 would work the best. Mike
Just like you're trumpeting this product as "THE best coupler box." Incidentally, is this thread considered advertising and are you a paid Trainboard advertiser?
THE best coupler box that I have used to date, Yes. The board is full of opinions, and that is mine. I'm advertising how great this product is to use. I, like everyone else, has to purchase them from shapeways, which takes the "paid TB advertiser" out of the equation. In fact, the only thing you have added to this thread is negativity. Thanks for that. Mike
To me, the first post reads as though someone stole the IP of NSN, had it duplicated by someone else and is announcing that the resultant "product" is now available for sale. Is "shapeways" on this list? http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?forums/advertisers.155/
Apparently you have no idea what happened to NSN. Let me fill you in. No one stole anything. NSN is no longer. The company died with John. After Johns death, his family sold the entire company product, including all original masters, to an eBay power seller who in turn sold it all on eBay. I own many of Johns original masters which I am now able to produce and market if I so choose, since there is no copyright or trademark or anything left of NSN. I have no plans to sell any of it, but I still retain that option using a different company name. The starting point for these coupler boxes was a NSN box that was updated by another modeler. I gave that IP of a dissolved company that I now own product of, to someone who had the abilities to supply it to the N scale community. There is nothing in this for me other than keeping some of this product alive and available. How about we get back on topic. . . Alvin, you got that 903 box done yet? -Mike
I for one am very happy to see this product. Can't wait to order some and try them out. For those of us who were modeling in N Scale back in the early 90's, we remember John Coots as an innovator. Craig
Short boxes have just been uploaded to Shapeways: 10, 20 and 40 packs. http://shpws.me/LbZU http://shpws.me/LbZT http://shpws.me/LbZR
