Legacy engine knuckle coupler repair parts: rivet and spring & tools

They use the standard rivets and springs, here's a dozen of each.

http://hennings-trains.shoplig...er-pins-springs.html

I use my Brakeman's Rivet Tool to put the rivets in.  You can just buy a handful of the tool heads if that's the only thing you'll be doing with it.  If you have three hands, you can actually set the rivets with a center punch and a small hammer.

For couplers a center punch is all you need. You can flatten the rivet over with a pin punch but really not necessary if its flared with the center punch.

Make sure the rivet head is well supported when you hit it. They can shatter easily.

Pete

Lionel will have their half price sale on parts soon why not change the whole thing? Nick

rockstars1989 posted:

Lionel will have their half price sale on parts soon why not change the whole thing? Nick

Even at half price its 5 bucks plus the new one may have the same problem. Spring and rivet are less than a quarter and by removing the knuckle it can be deburred and polished and work much better than a new coupler.

New is not always better.

Pete

I'm with Pete, lots of new couplers don't work well.  I can take one apart and smooth all the mating surfaces, they work like Kadee couplers then.  OK, maybe not quite as smooth, but you get the idea.

Thanks, Gents. Great help as always. Gunrunner and Pete, I like trying to do this with a center punch and hammer.  I think I can get my wife to supply the third hand.