ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 91
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Post by ZFRANK on Jul 24, 2016 16:31:01 GMT -5
Dom,
901 and 902 require a Märklin coupler box, since these are designed to convert Märklin rollingstock to MTL couplers. So, installing 901 or 902 will be more difficult. In my opinion 905 works best. /Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 91
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Post by ZFRANK on Jul 25, 2016 5:23:11 GMT -5
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Post by domi on Jul 25, 2016 14:25:36 GMT -5
Many thanks for the feed-back Franck. Indeed I was coming to the same conclusion with 901/902... But the link you gave me above looks like very helpful! Thank you so much! Dom
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Post by toronado3800 on Aug 25, 2016 21:33:53 GMT -5
I successfully swapped a truck mount coupler on a gp38 but when doing the other side I snapped the peice on the truck that holds the couplers height. Only thing is it's still not proto Hello, I have a reliable #AZL-62501 SP GP38-2 and have some questions! About halfway down this page www.zscale.org/articles/couplers.html#azl2mtl I found some instructions for converting what I believe are similar locomotives and about an hour ago ordered some 903 couplers. What method did you use? Thanks for the time.
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Post by boxcarwilly on Sept 5, 2016 9:41:08 GMT -5
It doesn't matter which coupler you use, if they can't hold or pull more then 10 cars of equal weight up a 2% grade over 22 ft. then what's the point? I too have heard rumors that someone is trying to manufacture a coupler that is supposed to be better then both MTL and AZL but again, if it is too weak to do the job, then it's a futile effort. What is needed is a coupler without a coil spring that weakens over time and continually fails to center itself after coming out of curves and an outer knuckle that will not open when under stress of more then 10 cars of equal weight. Both Marklin and AZL have springs that are actually part of the assembly and are self centering, but Marklin couplers are ugly and not prototypical and AZL couplers like MTL's, are too weak in the outer knuckle. Like the saying goes, if someone builds a better mouse trap, I'll buy it, so if someone comes up with a better coupler that is still prototypical, truly easy to latch up and have the holding power of Krazy Glue until released, I'll by enough to change out all my engines and cars. Will that every happen? Probably not in my lifetime.
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Post by bloodynose on Sept 5, 2016 23:00:20 GMT -5
Have you looked at Full Throttle's Bowser Buckler couplers? I have a few of their (His) cars and the couplers seem to be pretty strong! Just like AZL couplers they will have to be manually uncoupled unlike MTL's magne-matic coupler... You can get replacement trucks from Full Throttle for MTL cars but I don't know if they are compatible with AZL... Anyone else out there have any experience with 'em?
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Post by rvn2001 on Sept 6, 2016 9:14:13 GMT -5
Browser Bucklers are compatible with both AZL and MTL couplers.
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Post by boxcarwilly on Sept 10, 2016 13:08:09 GMT -5
I see to recall Rob saying that the couplers used on AZL cars are Bowser Bucklers. Same for Intermountain and that means the problem still exists.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Sept 10, 2016 16:08:27 GMT -5
I see to recall Rob saying that the couplers used on AZL cars are Bowser Bucklers. Same for Intermountain and that means the problem still exists. Sorry, but that is incorrect. AZL and InterMountian both use AZL's AutoLatch coupler. Our local Z-Bend group regularly pulls 70 normally weighted cars up 2% grades with AZL AutoLatch couplers. I also use an AZL test train on my Gotthard layout. The Gotthard is a constant 2% grade over 35 feet of track. The test train is one AZL GP30 locomotive with 20 AZL freight cars with AutoLatch couplers. The GP30 pulls like a mule, and the only time I have had problems with the couplers was when I had a track defect that needed to be fixed - so it was really a track problem, not a coupler problem.
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Post by catt on Sept 10, 2016 19:53:17 GMT -5
Rob, One thing about Intermountain,AZL will never have to consider them as competition in the Z scale marketplace.
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Post by domi on Sept 18, 2016 8:35:23 GMT -5
Frank, could you just tell me what are length and width of the shim you put between shell and coupler? I cut some shims but obviously they're too small for a coupler screw to dig into. And speaking of that, I cannot see whether the screw holding the coupler in place protrudes in front of the shell, or whether it's embedded inside. Any hint? Dom
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 91
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Post by ZFRANK on Sept 20, 2016 15:02:44 GMT -5
Hi Dom, Unfortunately I did not keep accurate record of the sizes and measuring on the finished model is difficult. the finished interface is glued in place with CA or epoxy. The pin is to reinforce the construction. Size is approximately 4.7x1x7 mm one hole is done with the MTL tap and drill set for MTL couplers, other one approximately 1mm for the pin. I drilled a hole in the body for the 1mm pin. Depending where the threaded hole ends under the body you might need to drill an other hole since might come through the brass strip. /Frank
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Post by domi on Sept 20, 2016 18:48:27 GMT -5
Ok Frank thank you. Dom
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