Best Of Notes on body-mount couplers (work-in-progress)

[chessie system fan]

While we're summarizing...

Has anyone tried installing these couplers on a locomotive?  A quick scan through the thread didn't reveal anything.

[ednadolski]

Has anyone tried installing these couplers on a locomotive?

Yes, if you look closely you can see them on the lead loco in the video referenced in this post:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.msg313560#msg313560

This uses the coupler box that came from FT (it is still painted a primer gray in the video).  I am thinking of ways to either use the brass pocket or make one specifically for locos (i.e., a simple, folding box without the air hose).

Ed

[chessie system fan]

OK I'm sold.  Expect a PM shortly.   

[ednadolski]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to post an update on the order status.

I've just completed the drawing and sent the order in to PPD for etching.  There are no changes to the actual parts, but since this is the first run for this specific drawing, I decided to start by ordering a single fret so that I would have the opportunity to make sure that everything etches correctly with no problems.  Once I have a good fret in hand I can go ahead and order enough additional frets to take care of everyone's requests.

So I figure this will add 2-3 weeks to final delivery, but it reduces the impact & cost in the unlikely event of an issue creeping in.  (Simply put, this is a CYA for myself  ).  On the upside, this does give a little more time for anyone still interested in getting some parts.  Thanks for bearing with me on this.


Ed

[GaryHinshaw]

Bad news, I'm afraid.  As I posted up-thread, I had a problem with the 2nd half of my last coupler order from Bowser.  I just received this brief note from Lee English:

Dear Gary

Sorry but I will not be able to supply the couplers.
I have had mold and assembly problems.

I will issue a credit to you card.

Sorry I cannot help you

Thank you
Lee English
Bowser Mfg

I don't know if this means that Bowser is also pulling out of providing couplers for Full Throttle as well, but it would seem to.  I have asked Lee for a clarification, and will let you know if I hear anything back.  Suffice it to say that I am very bummed by this development, as I was very pleased with how this project was turning out.  I think I will proceed with plans to convert ~150 cars with the couplers I have on hand, but now I have to be very selective with my projects.

Ed will be in touch with those who placed pocket orders to verify amounts before he orders the follow-up frets he mentioned above, in case anyone wishes to change their plans.

-Gary

P.S. I'm really looking forward to those Proto-Mates now!

[jmlaboda]

"P.S. I'm really looking forward to those Proto-Mates now!"

What "Proto-Mates"???

[GaryHinshaw]

"P.S. I'm really looking forward to those Proto-Mates now!"

What "Proto-Mates"???

Coming soon from NZT.

 

[GaryHinshaw]

Here is Lee's response to my query about the future availability of these couplers:

at this time full throttle will be the only source.

Thank you
Lee English
Bowser Mfg

He is a man of few words, but apparently he still has the means to supply Full Throttle, so that will continue to be an (expensive) source.  If you are still interested in a direct source through Bowser, please feel free to write him directly and let him know.

-gfh

[Philip H]

Here is Lee's response to my query about the future availability of these couplers:

He is a man of few words, but apparently he still has the means to supply Full Throttle, so that will continue to be an (expensive) source.  If you are still interested in a direct source through Bowser, please feel free to write him directly and let him know.

-gfh

Or Full Throttle has stock on hand, once that dries up . . . .

[DKS]

Although I cannot reveal too many details regarding this issue, I can say that Bowser's problems affect Full Throttle as well. Best not to contact FT asking for them, as they will be unable to spare any extras.

[wazzou]

So...did the tooling that Bowser has for these couplers fail?  Is it likely that Lee has determined that the return on investment will not warrant revised tooling?

[GaryHinshaw]

Based on the last samples I received, it looked like an assembly (fixture) problem, but Lee did say he had mold problems too.  I have to believe that Bowser's ROI here was pretty slim, otherwise Lee would be more aggressive about fixing it.  I think we're just SOL on this project, and just when I thought we had a nearly perfect solution.   

[Denver Road Doug]

Ugh.  I just got the 2nd half of my order of FT couplers from Bowser (they only sent half the order originally) and they're all defective.  So if you have a recent order from them, be sure to check for the following.  During assembly, the (trimmed) trip pins were all inserted improperly causing the lower loop on the knuckle to deform, and in some cases break:





Unfortunately, the ones that haven't broken already are very weak, and therefore useless.  I have contacted Bowser and I expect they will replace the order, but I just wanted to give y'all a heads up.  I've never seen anything like this in the rest of my stock, so hopefully this is an isolated incident.

I finally got a chance to sit down and filter through all 200 of mine under magnification.  After only a few and figuring out what I was looking at, it was pretty obvious which were defective even to the naked eye.  Although, a handful where the piece had completely broken off meant I couldn't rely on the naked eye to tell if they were actually good or not.  120 of my 200 were bad.   

To me, it clearly looks like an assembly issue, not a mold problem, although I do suppose that if the mold is distorted somehow then that could throw off the alignment of the holes.  Anyway, whatever the reason, it stinks!  Hopefully the couplers will be available again in the near future.  I'm still trudging forward with what I have on hand.

[Chris333]

Well this sucks 

[GaryHinshaw]

FWIW, I expect Bowser to issue purchasers a credit for any defective couplers without question.  I haven't seen my credit appear yet, but I have no reason to think it won't come through soon.

I didn't get any follow-up response from Lee about future plans, so I don't have any particular reason to think these will ever appear from Bowser again, but I have no reliable intelligence on this. 

Major bummer for sure.