Lesson learned

[MichaelT]

So last night I was changing out my Rapido couplers on my LL FA1-FB1 units with MT couplers, and since in my figuring it would be a permanent replacement, I aligned the coupler in the FA1 and just cemented it in place...good enough.

So with the B unit, for some reason I put the Tenax up because using even a small brush it didn't seem to flow well, and opted for the Insta-Cure CA with the small nozzle. So getting up and around this morning I found that both couplers on the B unit are glued solid...no movement at all....

So trying to cut a corner (or two) has turned into a little disaster...and I'm guessing (unless someone can correct me) that there isn't anything that will cut loose the CA so I can either make the couplers swing, or take them out fully besides taking a knife to them?

mt

[POVC]

I believe nail polish remover will dissolve CA

If not Acetone should   

Of course both will also remove paint from the shells, so you'll need to be careful.

Tim

[sizemore]

I believe nail polish remover will dissolve CA

If not Acetone should   

Of course both will also remove paint from the shells, so you'll need to be careful.

Tim

It won't just remove the paint, it'll remove the shell too.

The S.

[pnolan48]

Nail polish remover is usually acetone or MEK (methyl ethyl ketone).

Acetone, applied sparingly, will soften most common superglues enough to break the assemblies apart. Use a little patience applying small amounts to the joint you want to break. Then use acetone to wash or wipe away unwanted glue. It shouldn't attack the delrin plastics used for couplers, but it will dissolve styrene. I still found I could get coupler boxes removed from car bodies without significant damage. Some of you might remember I used superglue on a long unit train of ore jennies--one of my stupid mistakes. Acetone--applied sparingly--solved my problems.

I don't know about MEK for this purpose; it has about the same solvent properties as acetone but may not affect common superglues.

[peteski]

I wouldn't try to fudge this by trying to dissolve the CA that wicked into the coupler pockets.  Acetone does in fact soften (and dissolve) CA glue (as do special CA debonders).  However, I would worry about 2 things:

1. Acetone and most debonders also dissolve the plastic your loco shells are made of, so unless you can somehow (unlikely) get the acetone to stay in the coupler pocket, it will start attacking the loco's shell.

2. Even if you manage to soften the CA inside the coupler pocket enough for the couple to start moving again, unless you are able to fully flush all the dissolved CA, the remains of it will harden up again as the acetone evaporates. The coupler will either freeze up again or it will not operate smoothly.

If I were you I would just pry the coupler assemblies off the loco (it shouldn't be too hard as Delrin is very slippery and CA does not hold it very strongly.  Then if you really want to try to save those couplers, dunk them in acetone overnight, then next day flush them well with more clean acetone.  Delrin or any of the coupler's metal parts will not get attacked by acetone.

I would just toss the couplers that are glued shut and just install a new pair of couplers (just be more careful with the glue).  If possible, use screws instead. 

[MichaelT]

I'll probably just cut the couplers off and reinstall new couplers with screws as suggested!

[SP-Wolf]

Cutting 'em off and starting over is probably the best way to go. That way you won't risk damaging the shell.

Wolf

[peteski]

Um, looks like Michael now needs a new shell.  See the "For Sale" forum. Accidents can happen... 

[MichaelT]

Well, it turned out rather well. My LHS had a bottle of "un-cure" for mistakes with the CA, and I was able to get the couplers out. They bathed in the uncure overnight, but they won't swing so the couplers are shot, but the B shell is ok. I'm wanting to get an A shell so I can have two A units instead of an A-B setup, that way I can utilize two engines for this little shelf layout (the only DC engines I have left).

[nkalanaga]

For couplers between the units, if you plan on keeping them together, you can also use Unimate's dummy couplers.  They make a version designed to be screwed on, no draft gear or springs, and they work fine as long as you don't need automatic coupling and uncoupling.

[CoalPorter]

What are you doing? Micro-Trains 1015s should fit right in and are
held in place with a "clippy thing" and no glue or parts trimming is
necessary - should be about a 5 min. job? 

Sounds like you are going "around the horn" when there is a land
passage that is 15 times faster?