Hi all, I'm sure that this question has been asked before but after a little while looking through the forums I couldn't find it so I'll ask it again: which couplers would you recommend for an HO set and why? I have a hodge-podge collection with 4 different coupler types. Some of the pieces will not be worth much and some I will try to restore/salvage. What I would like to do though is have the same style coupler on everything so that all my rolling stock and locomotives are able to be used together. Thanks!
Kadee. They're simple, reliable, readily available, and have just about every variety needed to adapt to any rolling stock.
Mantua. Because they work, and because it give nmra-types conniptions. But, to really answer your query: Make adaptor idlers. In the old days (late 40's anyway) we'd take some freight car floor material (really 1/8" basswood or even ply), cut it exactly square (whatever the width of the car is, that long), screw a truck dead centre, one type of coupler at one end, another at the other. You can make up 2, 3 , 4, however many you think you need in various coupler configurations. You can even Joe Palooka the resulting "car"....attach an outhouse to the floor! (If you don't know about Joe Palooka, you're just a youngster!)
I'm afraid I must be a youngster then... It's been a while since I've been called a youngster but I guess it's all about perspective. So far the recommendations are Kadee (x2) and Mantua. Any other suggestions or preferences that people have? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There's a couple of knuckle couplers made by different manufacturers. Kadee's are the best with their #5 being the most popular. There are also Accumates and McHenry's. They are plastic and not as strong as the Kadee's which are metal. Some drilling and tapping may be needed to install them. A coupler height gauge helps with the mounting. Body mounting is better than mounting them on the trucks. Uncoupling is done with a magnet installed on the track or as I like to use a barbeque skewer. Until you convert all your cars you could make a transition car, with a horn/hook coupler on one end and a Kadee or other brand on the other end. Kadee's website should be able to provide you with the information you need.
Well having being an N scaler for 20 years and how HO I will be totally using kadee couplers, hard to use anything else
Well it seems the over all consensus is Kadee couplers. Time to make some last minute Christmas requests!
If money was no object, I would highly recommend Sargent couplers. I will be converting when I win the lottery or double my salary... chances of each are equal! Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
Kadee makes quite a few couplers that can be used in different situations. The #5 is the most used coupler, but you should check with Kadee to see if one of their other couplers would be a better or easier fit for that particular situation. The coupler heads are the same as the #5 but the head could be over set, under set, long shank, short shank or other type that will fit the installation on a particular loco or car. They're all compatable with the #5's.
Several years ago I bought a 'sample pack' of Kadee couplers that I can try on different cars and/or locos. I believe it was one of the best investments I have made. My vote is also for Kadees'.
I'm getting back into HO after 20years of doing N-scale. And the first thing I picked up at my LHS was a pack of Kadee 58s for the scale look and reliability of quality coupler.
Yep I went back to HO after 18 years in N scale and the Kadee scale couplers blew me away! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Kadee #58s. I love the smaller, "scale" size than the #5s and they work smooth as silk in coupling. No more pushing what should be a heavy, loaded car down the track because the couplers won't engage.
I have always used Kadee, of course I have tried others, but I continue to come back to old tried and true. Kadee has many option for many different applications, some may be a quick fix and others need some skill to adapt an older model. I just have not had the consistent results with the other that I have tried. So my vote is Kadee. Espically if you are converting an older set. Especially for the money.
Just a question for you guys has anyone done the switch to sergent couplers, I have always weigh the option of a full overhaul, but was wondering if it was worth the cost. How long or how much trouble to switch a car?
Aren't the Sergent couplers only compatible with Sergents? If this is the case I wouldn't want them at any price.
