Microtrains 1015 sticking or too loose

platypus Jan 28, 2023

  1. platypus

    platypus TrainBoard Member

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    I have been converting cars to use the Microtrains body mount 1015 coupler. On many of them I find it difficult to find the right tightness of the mounting screw. It is either too tight and the coupler doesn't freely return to center. Or it is too loose and the whole draft gear box can twist when the car is shoved around a curve leaving the coupler mis aligned. I did a a car today where one screw tightened down no problem, but the other one could not find a good tension.


    Anyone else have this problem? Any good solutions? I'm thinking I might have to try mounting a 1x1mm bar of styrene along side the draft gear box to stop it from pivoting.
     
  2. Metro Red Line

    Metro Red Line TrainBoard Member

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    If it's too tight, I just back off with the screw slightly and flick the coupler until it can center itself.
     
    Doug Gosha likes this.
  3. MRLdave

    MRLdave TrainBoard Member

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    You can use a small amount of something like Tacky Glue, silicone , or similar on the coupler before putting in the screw. The coupler can still be popped off relatively easily, and it keeps the coupler from pivoting. Your idea should work also and would duplicate the old E clips a lot of locos used........the clip snaped into 2 notches on either side of the pilot, had a pin that went thru the coupler, and 2 tabs the stuck down to keep the coupler from moving.
     
    308GTSi likes this.
  4. platypus

    platypus TrainBoard Member

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    Tacky glue sounds easier than what I was going to do
     
  5. 308GTSi

    308GTSi TrainBoard Member

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    Microscale Micro Kristal Klear would do the job great. It's a lot like wood glue when wet and can be washed off if you make a mistake. When dry it's quite firm and holds things together really well.
     
    BNSF FAN and DeaconKC like this.
  6. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    BNSF FAN likes this.
  7. platypus

    platypus TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the suggestion @HemiAdda2d . I had made extra sure to trim the flash and have tried graphite.

    I'm wondering if I'm just drilling the holes not directly vertical and that slight angle is messing it up. I don't have a drill press. Though the height checks out on the coupler gage.

    The glue trick seemed to work though I have to give it a thorough test on the track
     
    BNSF FAN likes this.
  8. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    It's been my experience that some sort of adhesive is needed in addition to the mounting screw to keep the draft gear box from rotating on body mounts. I do this myself on the rolling stock kits I have assembled. Cranking down the mounting screw tight enough to keep the draft box from rotating is too much and binds the inner workings.

    I rough up the mating surface of the draft box with sand paper then apply the slightest amount of gel ca making sure it can't compress into the guide pin track for the gear then mount with the screw just tight enough so it doesn't bind.
     

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