AZL and/or Full Throttle couplers

[Catt]

David,if Will does all the assembly would he concider selling the trucks/couplers in kit form?

[GaryHinshaw]

I asked. Unfortunately the reply was no. It would mean changes to how Will and Bowser do business, which is not an option at this point in time.

Thanks for asking David.  The next step for me will be to see how the samples work when I get them.  If it proves to be a killer app, I'll start nagging and dangling money. 

[DKS]

David,if Will does all the assembly would he concider selling the trucks/couplers in kit form?

Doubtful, but I can ask.

[sirenwerks]

Can you urge him to alter his manufacturing agreement with Bowser post haste, while you're at it? N scal needs a new coupler alternative. Especially one that can trump the size of MT's and still be affordable. And, perhaps it may not go without saying, one available in bulk pack coupler-only form for all of us who have sizable fleets to swap out.

[DKS]

Unfortunately changing his agreement with Bowser would require a substantial infusion of cash, which regrettably is not an option at the moment. He does what he can within his means. If some N scaler with deep pockets would like to help out, I'm sure an arrangement can be made. But, alas, just asking isn't enough.

[GaryHinshaw]

Anyway, the approach I took was to screw the lid of the original coupler box to the car, then snap the other half onto it. The mounting screw has to be carefully countersunk to clear the coupler parts.
 

David, what size screw did you use for this application?  And do you have a good source for them?  This is a nice approach for cars with a good solid mounting surface.

I was trying a few schemes on a covered hopper last night, where the only available surface is the thin exposed center-sill, so I'm looking for very short screws that won't be too obtrusive.  One possibility is this set screw, which is 0-80 x 1/16".  If I first glued the pocket top to the sill, I could tap continuous threads through the top and sill, then put the screw in far enough to clear the coupler w/o countersinking.  This would provide lateral strength.  A short flat-head screw would also work, but I haven't found any shorter than 1/8", and I don't really want to cut them if I don't have to.

Thanks,
Gary

[DKS]

Gary, that's a 00-90 flathead. I got them from SmallParts: http://www.smallparts.com/

Offhand I don't know if you'll find them any shorter than 1/8-inch. I regularly cut these screws to length with no problems. I use a Dremel cut off wheel, then clean up the threads on the end with a fine wire brush.

[GaryHinshaw]

Thanks David.  I had forgotten about SmallParts; I'm on it.