Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page
Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows how to check and fix HO scale couplers.
Checking HO couplers
By Angela Cotey | August 20, 2013
| Last updated on December 7, 2020
Great Cody – Always some tip of value.. Thanks again
Hey, Cody,
You are right on cue. I was at my local hobby shop yesterday and bought a Kaydee coupler gauge and an envelope of washers and got some good advice on how to use them. However, nothing is better than a hands-on video to really help me do it right. Thanks a bunch.
Great info. I have an N scale that will not stay coupled. What else can I do? Where can I buy the products that you mentioned in the video? As you can probably tell I am a newbie with model trains and need some help! any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! dle38119@yahoo.com.
Hi there , I have a question ? regarding the magnetic horns on the coulpers , what degree should they be set at? im sure im getting binding problems….. thankyou Willie
Thanks Cody ,now I know how to adjust wheel heights on some cars that are lower. I have Kadee #5's McHenry #4's and Proto's that seem not to couple correctly. My layout is all Kato so levels are good all around on the track.
I need some help on a couple of engines I have that I need to add knuckle couplers that work well.
I just bought one of these at a train show in Atlanta 2 weeks ago, along with 3 slightly used rail cars, it is a very nice product to have when buying used.
Great video. Have magnet uncoupler, how to keep it on the rails? tried double-faced tape. coupler pin sucks it up under car.
thank you this info is veery helpful
Good article, but what if your coupler is truck mounted? what if it's too high instead of too low? Too brief, a longer talk on the subject is in order, and what about us N scalers? Still a good introduction into coupler tuning.
Hi Grivno, been using KD coupler height gauge for 30 years ,every MRR should inyest in one.
HANK
most imformative and well presented . Your video makes it so easy. Thanks Alan
I have many older cars that have hook couplers and would like to convert them to Kadee. Is there a Kadee coupler with a smaller dia. hole that will work with a truck mounted coupler.
Cody , Is that Jango Rienhardt doing the musical intro?
good topic, but exactly how do you measure the necessary adjustment? I am new at this, so please excuse my ignorance.
Excellent, needed this, I am sure that most if not all of the members already know this, but for a novice, like me, it is a world of knowledge. It will help me work on my rolling stock!
Thanks,
Mark Hansen
Cody:
Great episode but as a fairly new hobbyist, I'd love to see an episode on the different coupler manufactures and pros and cons on mixing them!
Season's greetings from Lima, OH
Sometimes when using the Kadee fiber washers, you will notice they don't fit if you've screwed the truck on too tightly and flattened the top of the bolster a bit. Don't try to force the washer on. Solution: use a fingernail trimmer to cut from the center to the outside of the washer. This will allow the washer to expand enough to fit over the bolster, and the minor cut doesn't effect the washer's purpose.
Great. If someone does not use the Kadee coupler, is there somewhere to find demensions for different couplers? For example, I use the NMRA coupler along with Fleischmann hook coupler. I do not want to convert all of my rooling stock to Kadee.
Great video reminder.
Very insteresting. A tool that any hobbyist must have!!!
Cody, your right on with the coupler adjustments, makes all of the difference in the world! I've found out that the hieghth is most crittical for me. Good thing we have the washers.
Goes a loong way from my first set of TYCO's back in 1970!!
Meery Christmas, from Derby City Ky ( Louisville)
Appreciated the quick valuable tip
I'm just getting started checking my rolling stock and this was very timely Thanks
Great video, Cody. I'm currently having problems with some older freight cars I recently bought, so this info is just what I needed. I have a request, though. Could MR do a future article on uncouplers, such as an overview of the various types available, where best to place them, etc.? Thanks.
Both videos were the same. The email newsletter said "Subscribers can get learn many more useful techniques in the Expert Tips video series". What am I missing here? Thanks, Horton Monroe