Coupler mounting help

[chicken45]

How should I mount this?
It's a Z scale coupler on a FUD flat car.


A screw won't work. Goo clogged coupler. Thoughts?

[victor miranda]

yeah I can see that is a challenge...

take a small rectangle of brass and put a threaded hole in it
and glue the rectangle into that open area where the coupler will cover

I'd guess dimensions buut I have no real idea for how big any of that is
15 thousands sheet brass will give you enough bite for the coupler screw
and you want as much surface as possible for the brass sheet.

luck

victor

[nkalanaga]

0.010 brass will work, if one is careful not to overtighten the screw.  I've used that thin for extended draft gear.  Victor's 0.015 is a better choice if it will work, and the coupler doesn't end up too low.

Another option, which I've used a few times, is to put the screw IN the car.  Drill a clearance hole in the car, countersink the top, and install a flathead screw.  Put the coupler on, hold it with a nut, and cut the screw off flush with the nut.  Of course, this only works if you plan to add a separate deck to the car!

[mecgp7]

Carpet tape. It is double sided and incredibly strong. I've used it in situations just like this. It is so strong that you can pull the coupler box apart if you aren't careful when removing it.
I also use the tape to place the coupler exactly where I want it and then drill the hole in the car. Remove the tape and screw on the coupler. Perfect results every time.

[davefoxx]

If Goo didn't work, I would try Pliobond.

Hope this helps,
DFF

[jdcolombo]

1.  Lightly sand the top of the draft gear box to get the "shine" off.
2.  Use a dab of Gel CA on the rear of the box to cement to the FUD.  Use GEL to avoid having the cement find its way into the coupler assembly, and to quote the old commercial "A little dab will do ya."

John C

[chicken45]

I'll have to look in to that carpet tape thing. I think I'll go with the brass option. I already tapped some holes and given the geometry and constraints, I think this will work. Thanks, all!

[randgust]

The tapped, tiny sheet of brass is how I hold Z couplers on to the front of my Climax A's.   Basically hanging out there with noplace else to go.

[dougnelson]

Josh:  F22?  Did you ask Claus what he did?  Another option would be to use a screw through the deck and hide it with some dunnage (wood blocking).

[chicken45]

Josh:  F22?  Did you ask Claus what he did?  Another option would be to use a screw through the deck and hide it with some dunnage (wood blocking).

Hey Doug!
I did see his efforts over on PRRPro. He has an earlier version of the car, a version without a deck. For those not following along at home, did use brass and set it in to the frame and used brass strips to simulate the wood planking. And he did a darn good job.