Dimensions of Full Throttle Bowser Buckler Z scale couplers?

[mmagliaro]

I discovered these trucks, equipped with their own coupler design, and the coupler box
looks a bit smaller than the one used by MTL.   
I cannot fit an MT Z scale coupler into the pilot of my 4-6-2 steam project loco and still keep
the coupler operational, because the coupler box extends too far back.  Because the coupler box has
to ride between the front pilot wheels, the pilot truck cannot negotiate curves without hitting
the coupler box.

So I either:
a) Move the coupler further forward: I nixed this idea because it looks bad
b) Move the whole pilot forward: nixed, same reason as above.
c) Slice a chunk off the back of the MT Z coupler box, heat-melt what is left together so
that the coupler is static, but at least can couple by lifting and dropping, but is not fully "operational"

Anyone have a Bowser Buckler they can measure accurately with a caliper? 

Thanks.

[DKS]

Bowser Z scale coupler pocket exterior dimensions:

0.18" wide
0.09" high
0.20" deep

Note that you can shorten the box by a fair bit without affecting the coupler function.

[mmagliaro]

Bowser Z scale coupler pocket exterior dimensions:

0.18" wide
0.09" high
0.20" deep

Note that you can shorten the box by a fair bit without affecting the coupler function.

Thanks, David.  An MT 905 is 0.25" deep so the Bowser is noticeably shallower, although I don't think it's quite enough.
Do you think I could get away with cutting off the back half of that couple box and still have it work?

[Chris333]

David did a review of Z scale couplers:
http://jamesriverbranch.net/clinic_2.htm

They could even be mounted without the box. Put a screw through the hole and let the whiskers stick out the coupler opening.

[ednadolski]

Anyone have a Bowser Buckler they can measure accurately with a caliper? 

Only a couple of hundred or so...   

Here is a coupler box that I am experimenting with.   Being etched brass it is about as small as possible for this kind of coupler. Altho this is designed for Kato diesels, if you think it might work for what you need, I'd be more than happy to send you a sample to try out, just PM me with a mailing address.





A bit of shimming may be needed to get the right height, but otherwise it's pretty straightforward -- just fold it together and install with a 00-90 screw.  Any gaps in the pilot can be filled with styrene strip. 

Ed

[mmagliaro]

Ed,
That etched brass coupler box looks great.  In the photo, you seem to have an MT
coupler mounted in it.  Is that right?

I would very much like to try one in my 4-6-2.

I can't PM you.  It says your inbox is full

-- Max

Only a couple of hundred or so...   

Here is a coupler box that I am experimenting with.   Being etched brass it is about as small as possible for this kind of coupler. Altho this is designed for Kato diesels, if you think it might work for what you need, I'd be more than happy to send you a sample to try out, just PM me with a mailing address.





A bit of shimming may be needed to get the right height, but otherwise it's pretty straightforward -- just fold it together and install with a 00-90 screw.  Any gaps in the pilot can be filled with styrene strip. 

Ed

[chicken45]

AAAHHHHHH WTH IS IT?!


Looks terrifying!

[Chris333]

My photos are long gone, but I mounted Bowser coupler in a MTL Z scale SD40-2 without using a box. I just used a screw and strip styrene on each side of the pilot opening to contact the whiskers.

[Chris333]

Guess the photos are still around:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/Chris333_33/IMG_7303.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/Chris333_33/IMG_7304.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/Chris333_33/IMG_7302.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n255/Chris333_33/IMG_7301.jpg

[ednadolski]

Ed,
That etched brass coupler box looks great.  In the photo, you seem to have an MT
coupler mounted in it.  Is that right?

I would very much like to try one in my 4-6-2.

I can't PM you.  It says your inbox is full

-- Max

Odd, the inbox was saying "144% Full"..... never saw anything like that before (maybe some kind of new limit?)       Anyways I've cleaned it all up, please try again when you have a chance.

The coupler in the pic is actually the 'Bowser Buckler' Z scale one.  It's probably fairly close in size to the MT Z coupler, tho I've never done a comparison of them.

Ed

[mmagliaro]

Chris, you know, that really is a simple and elegant solution.  Well, for starters, I need to order some
of those Bowser couplers and see if I can make them fit.

[DKS]

Odd, the inbox was saying "144% Full"..... never saw anything like that before (maybe some kind of new limit?) 

A while back the mailbox size was reduced. If one already had more messages than the new limit, then the difference would be reflected as a percentage over 100%.

[Chris333]

Max, I'm pretty sure if you line up a 903/905 and a Bowser Buckler at the mounting hole the knuckles stick out the same length. But there is nothing behind the Bowser mounting hole, the MT's have the spring there. So guess if you trimmed down both boxes the Bowser would give more clearance.

You won't get magnetic un-coupling like MTs, but they should coupler fairly easy. If you can't find them let me know, I'll send some over.

[GaryHinshaw]

I love these couplers and am slowly converting my fleet.  For reference, here are a few more dimensions:

overall length of the bare coupler (no pocket): 0.295"
distance from center of pivot hole to outer pulling face: 0.255"
distance from center of pivot hole to rear of coupler body: 0.115"
thickness (height) of the pulling face: 0.087"
thickness of shank at pivot hole: 0.034"

So if you want to mount a bare coupler like Chris did (nice solution Chris!), and you wish to maintain a standard N scale coupler height of 0.216" above the railhead, the mounting surface should be 0.216" + 0.034/2" = 0.233" above the rails (plus a smidge to allow the coupler to pivot).

-gfh

P.S. The bare couplers w/o pockets are available in bulk (50 pair or more) directly from Lee English.  If you only need a few, and/or you want the Full Throttle pockets to go with them, you're better off getting the Full Throttle trucks from a dealer.

[Chris333]

Also I'm sure you know the 903/905 coupler show you right on the instructions that you can cut the back of the box off with no ill effects:


I have trimmed mine down many times and as long as the spring can't fall out they still work. You can just barely see some spring here:


If that doesn't give you enough room, subtract the spring length to see if the Bowsers will work.