repairing ams coaches mounts

[nico]

This my attempt at fixing the coupler mounts on two ams coaches which were broken in transit

Here is the damaged part

first off the equipment i needed

First i drilled holes in the coach around the damaged area and scored it with the stanley to give some grip for the glue,

then i scored the broken mount with a Stanley knife to give some grip for the epoxy glue ,and then i stuck it back on the coach with super glue just to hold it in place

then i placed some sponge in front to stop the glue from running and then filled the area with epoxy

fingers crossed i will leave it till morning watch this space

 

[Rhinochugger]

Attaboy - she'll be right, mate

 

[Doug]

Some tips on using 'normal' araldite (as opposed to the rapid type). Gently warm it up with a hair dryer until it goes clear instead of being opaque, but stop before lots of little bubbles appear. It stays clear after this - great for using under varnish, its invisible. Its runnier if you use it warm, or wait a bit until it goes thicker again, if you don't want it runny. It sets a bit quicker too. If heating it in situ as oppsoed to on the mixing tray/scrap of foil, be careful as you may melt the things you are gluing

 

[nico]

heres the finished repair,a bit of testing will be required

PS i now need a pair of similar couplers

 

[railwayman198]

Looks good nico, let's hope it holds...

 

[coyote97]

thats ok, nico

i dont see a cause why it shouldnt work.

Mounting Kadees is nearly the same, u just have to fill the whole box to have an even plan area to mount the coupler.

I am a bit angry about AMS couplers, because comparing to others, CHEAP is something otherwise.
(especially here in germany, US is much cheaper)

But for that money and thinking of the production in cheap,cheap china, the cars costs some money. Therefore the couplers are not well.
I have several problem with them, most seems to be bad mounting.

Frank

 

[minimans]

thats ok, nico

i dont see a cause why it shouldnt work.

Mounting Kadees is nearly the same, u just have to fill the whole box to have an even plan area to mount the coupler.

I am a bit angry about AMS couplers, because comparing to others, CHEAP is something otherwise.
(especially here in germany, US is much cheaper)

But for that money and thinking of the production in cheap,cheap china, the cars costs some money. Therefore the couplers are not well.
I have several problem with them, most seems to be bad mounting.

Frank

I once bought two cases of AMS boxcars from a wholesaler very very cheep a couple of years ago and had the similer experience but it was the trucks themselves that snapped!! every car had a broken truck at one end so by the time I had swapped trucks around I ended up with ONE case of good boxcars...........but I did find super glue will not hold on it's own.............I ended up selling them on eBay as new and broken.

 

[Rhinochugger]

PS i now need a pair of similar couplers

I've managed to fix a swinging arm, mounted underneath the coupler pocket, using longer screw which doesn't mess up the original thread. I'll try and post a piccy.

By going down that route, I've been able to re-install the AMS buckeye when I lengthened the 1:20.3 consist

 

[Richie]

A job well done Nico Can't wait to see your loco and coaches running on your line .