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Coupling Height Gauge.

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Posted

I have always struggled to get coupling heights right when building wagons. The other day I came across a piece of scrap UVPA and discovered it sat neatly over my 4mm track.

 

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I tested a RTR Wagon and found I had to add a shim of plasticard to get the height exact.

 

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Now it's a straight forward height test, how I wished I had thought of it earlier in my modelling career.

Posted

Consistently getting the correct height for couplings has always been a problem. For tension lock couplings, the height of the top of the bar is the critical dimension, as different makes of coupling have differing depths from top to bottom. Whilst Kirley’s gauge is one way of dealing with the problem, it does not take into account the depth of the bar, from top to bottom.

Using plasticard, I made up a gauge which measures the height of the top of the bar, and works for any make of tension lock coupling. With this gauge I have used a piece of brass at the top, but plasticard works just as well. The plastic block made from the plasticard, is only about 10mm wide, is glued to the piece of track and offset away from the hook to allow it to pass down the side of the block. The vehicle is pushed up to the block, the hook passes it, and the coupling bar should just pass under the top plate.

 

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IMG_2052 Correction.jpg

Posted
Consistently getting the correct height for couplings has always been a problem. For tension lock couplings, the height of the top of the bar is the critical dimension, QUOTE]

 

Excellent suggestion

Posted
I just buy OO Gauge loco's & rolling stock with tension lock couplings, works fine :trains:

 

This gauge is designed for those who build their own wagons not for RTR!

Posted
This gauge is designed for those who build their own wagons not for RTR!

 

I don't have time to make models, & the best of luck to those with the skills who have, I just run models !

Posted
I don't have time to make models, & the best of luck to those with the skills who have, I just run models !

 

Can you please stop trying to drag this thread off-topic? Thanks.

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