3D printed coupler pocket to mount Kadees to AtlasO cars - thread updated with photos and test results with a 30mm wide pocket

3D printed spacers for Atlas cars already exist. Mario has done a few different designs that have new holes that line up with the Kadees, putting them flush with the end sill of the car. I have used many of them on my own Atlas cars.

There are also complete draft gear pockets for Lionel PS4 flat cars and other stuff designed by other people, all available on Shapeways.

LAIDOFFSICK - where does one go to order/ print the Atlas-Kadee  spacers?  

Marios items are here:

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/gandyman

Searching for 1/48 and O Scale stuff is kind of a pain in the butt on the Shapeways website..... but there is a ton of stuff out there that you can order from them.

Doug

I got what he is asking for. It would be similar to what Mario dose with the engine mounts. Interesting Idea. He just done something similar with the Lionel hoppers.

I dont really see a need to re-desgin a draft gear box to hold the coupler though. The Kadee draft gear box is just fine. The engine coupler mount still needs the complete Kadee to slide in it. It's just a spacer with a decorative front for the pilot. If the Kadee is the proper height on the cars, and flush with the end sill.... what else do we need? 

Mounting the Kadees at the proper height and location is the key... and the Atlas spacer provide just that. 

Doug

I agree. but it is an interesting concept. 

Thanks for drawing my attention to Mario's listings on Shapeways.  I'll give a set of shims a try. 

Where I disagree with LAIDOFFSICK is that for many applications the Kadee pocket isn't "just fine".  It's extreme opening detracts from the prototype look of our cars while the added lateral play isn't always required for good operation.  

For improved appearance I'd like to see a 3D printed scale width pocket version for mounting Kadee's.  I have a handful of hoppers with Yoder scale width coupler pockets (brass castings) and found they worked well on my former branch line (several tight  2 rail 42" radius curves).  .   Scale width pockets aren't for every application.  They wouldn't work well on long modern era cars or on layouts with tight S curves.  Hopefully with 3D printing someday soon we'll have several new Kadee coupler mounting options. 

Well unfortuntaely for us in 3 rail, we generally need those extreme openings of the Kadee draft gear box.

Even with an 072 minimum curve, I can't run the ProtoCraft couplers. The scale width box and spring limits the side to side movement too much. I need every bit of that extreme opening to use Kadees.

Hi, Ed!

theres been a few designs, and if you like either one or need something specific, email me. 

https://youtu.be/o42DBnNuHNk

Sounds like you're looking for a mount that has an integrated Kadee-style box. Much like I did for the truck mounted box, and I can look into it. How much side to side movement would you like?

In the meantime, thank you Doug!!!!!

heres what they look like and some iterations. They come in two thicknesses. 0.080" and 0.120". 

Here's the idea...

More details here: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...t-bolsters-and-shims

My email is in my profile.

thanks,

Mario

Ed,

I did some design work and I think this is what you are looking for.  Its a two-piece replacement box, that is a cross between the Protocraft and Kadee boxes, and self aligning to the "lugs" on the bottom of the Atlas O cars.

If you look at the cover, there are the four indentations for the lugs, whether you car has the two in line, or two to the outside.  If you place the cover with the "long hood" back, then the front of the coupler box should be at the end sill of the car.  If you turn it around, and project the "long hood" forward, then it becomes a cushioned draft gear box that sticks out from the sill.

The spring is designed to go in front of the screw, and the projection on the bottom of the coupler needs to be ground even with the shank, as it is no longer needed.  Also, I use a square file to flatten the inside curve of the shank opening so the spring fits flat.  I should be able to test print tomorrow.

Thoughts?

Here's the 1:1 comparison between the new box and the Kadee box; and the width of the new design can fit inside the opening of the Kadee box. 

Dont forget the spring goes in front of the screw on the new design. 

Lmk if you want any changes. 

I might be in for a few sets of these. I always have an Atlas car or two on the workbench waiting to get set up. 

Norm Charbonneau posted:

I might be in for a few sets of these. I always have an Atlas car or two on the workbench waiting to get set up. 

Should be good to go, but as always, I'd wait until I'd do a test print. 

Mario it looks good. I would widen it just a tad to allow for more swing( side to side movement). The ability to  use as a draft gear box for long hood forward, as a cushioned draft gear box is a great idea as there is nothing out there for this application. My only concern is that there isn't enough length to provide ridged strength under the box car to prevent bending as the plain white will bend under tension. The only difference between 3RS and 2R is the track   2R guys have the same issues with radius of curves like we do..  So if the design works for 3RS then it will work for 2R. Also did you get my Email. ?

Mario

Suggest you make available both a wide box and a narrow box version.  

Great idea Doug and John!... stay tuned. 

Doug, I did and there's a lot to digest there. I have some questions to improve them with your help. 

Meanwhile... here's the paper mockup for both the standard and cushioned draft gear. 

cushioned:

Close up of detail...

Something to point out to everyone following this. The other advantage will be the ability to just order the couplers and springs. This will drive down the cost.

Mario looks good. But would recommend the following

using an cushioned box car to insure length of the draft box .

I don't think your going to get away with out some sort of channel for the coupler similar to the Kadee draft box due to the lug on the bottom of the coupler unless you sand it off.

Also need to redo some measurements. concerning the email. I think I know what your questions are.

Doug

suzukovich posted:

Something to point out to everyone following this. The other advantage will be the ability to just order the couplers and springs. This will drive down the cost.

That is NOT all that easy to do with Kadee, as such separate individual coupler components generally must be ordered in minimum quantities from Kadee, i.e. around 500 pieces.

Mario looks good. But would recommend the following

using an cushioned box car to insure length of the draft box .

I don't think your going to get away with out some sort of channel for the coupler similar to the Kadee draft box due to the lug on the bottom of the coupler unless you sand it off.

Also need to redo some measurements. concerning the email. I think I know what your questions are.

Doug