----- Original Message -----
From: "C&PPorter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 11:26 AM
Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} SHS Coupler
> 1) Sergent is difficult to uncouple / couple ? Is this true ? It's
> certainly a good looking coupler and I assume correct in size. "Looks"
> smaller... but then that could be simply that it is more detailed.
> Looks can be deceiving. I realize that this is not mainstream
> according to the last 50 years in the hobby... but maybe it's a step
> in the right direction.
RE : The Sergent requires more finess than Kadee-type couplers do when
operating... that is true. But it is not as hard as some folks want to make
it out to be. And with a little extra time, an effective centering device
can be constructed that makes the Sergent center itself... which, in and of
itself can cause MORE trouble than leaving it in its natural state.
> 2) Kadee coupler's only flaw is the size? I agree that they only
> "work" marginally, too. I'm more a fan of manual uncoupling whether
> with "magnet wands", "tweezers" or some other means. The under track
> uncoupler seems to work when you don't want it, and not work when you
> do. Yes, there are "fixes" for this, but they're a pain.
RE : Kadee couplers have more flaws than just their size... even during the
20+ years I spent in HO, I NEVER liked the look of them OR the way they work
(its unprototypical). There is also the problem of the knuckle-springs
coming off of them... I wish I had a quarter for every time I've heard
people complain about this flaw of these type couplers. And let us also not
forget the centering spring which is yet a FOURTH flaw they have. Even
assembling an original Sergent coupler was easier for me than the first
spring I ever had to replace on a Kadee-type coupler.
> My biggest beef is the color. And the HO coupler looks too small. With
> most other things tending toward over-scale, a coupler that is
> under-scale seems more likely to be too small for the job. And
> besides... aren't all the factory holes pre-drilled for the KADEE ?
RE : Agreed... the HO "IS" too small for standard-gauge S models... unless,
of course, you're modeling one of those SUPER-rare, standard-gauge, 1:1
roads that actually used the smaller couplers. But as far as dependability
goes, this is one of the plusses that the Sergent has over the Kadee
types... it is all metal.
> 3) SHS - the last man standing. I'm not seeing much mention here.
> Looks like the Kadee but it's the right color. It's S scale. Anyone
> using it? Seems like if you don't want to go out on the Sergent limb,
> this is the place to go.
> Love the variety of opinion... but the SHS seems to get no show. Just
> wondering what folks think of either SHS or Sergent.
RE : I have bought some SHS couplers, but have not yet actually used them in
a layout (operating) session. They seem (by looks) to be every bit as good
as the Kadee couplers, though. And not only that, on the SHS F-3s I had a
while back, the SHS couplers are probably the ONLY easy option that will
work due to the mounting clearances on the model.
John Degnan
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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