shims for kadees

Good morning Gerry

 

Thats strange usually Weaver cars are right on and don't need any shims. I get the couplers to match the gauge.

 

Clem

Clem

 

are you completely throwing away the coupler arm? I was cutting it and using the base of the coupler arm when screwing the truck back in. This could account for a higher height to have to shim down.

Gerry

Yes    That explains it ! take the whole coupler off. I use plastic sheets from the hobby shops for shim stock, actually anything will work. blister pack plastic, card stock, playing cards, the nice post cards. I cut the holes with a punch I got at hobby lobby they come in different sizes. Have fun

 

Clem

Clem

Thanks for your help. I find if the whole coupler arm is removed the wheels will rub on the bottom of the car or sometimes on undercarriage detail. I have been using some small washers which make the height a bit less than if the whole arm is removed. Have you run into this?

Great ideas for shims!

Thanks again.

Gerry,

What has happened to you is pretty common with the Weaver cars when the coupler shank is removed. The cars sit high anyway and look better lowered but the drawback is the tall flanges of the wheels getting close too and sometimes rubbing on the underneath of the car body. Thin washers are a good fix. Stack them until the flanges will clear. Under body detail that is in the way can be trimmed away. I like to use a washer with the largest outside diameter and the smallest center hole I can find. I find the large diameter has a tendency to keep the car body from rocking.

Cape cod,

 

Yes the washers have really helped and I have used my dremel on some of the under details. Cars do look better sitting lower too. 

 

Thanks for your post. 

 

Gerry

Gerry

I have all large radius curves. If I have to i will trim some under car detail, can't see it anyway unless there's a wreck. I would rather have the car low if I could. 

 

Clem

I'vehttp://www.weavermodels.com/P758.jpg

I've run into a few issues with passenger cars and tenders that require a very thick shim. The above solution works well from Weaver. Cut off the truck mounting portion and drill out the coupler mounting holes and you are left with about a 1/8 shim. At about $8.00 a pair they are a bit more than making up your own. The Weaver couplers seem to work well. These I'm guessing were Weaver's answer to Atlas' adjustacoupler.