Hi everyone. I have most of my trains fitted with these couplings between loco and the first coach or wagon. I do not use them often for decoupling and coupling. I have had about 10 of the these coupling lose their springs and my eyesight is good enough to replace them. Does anyone know of a company that will refit these springs for me? People have said to add a touch of glue to stop them detaching but again my eyesight is a problem, and the one I tried to do just seized up the coupling. At the moment I am ready to pull the whole layout apart and either go to OO which I am not keen to do or leave the hobby completely. Any help would be appreciated. Len
If you don't uncouple/decouple much, would it be simpler just to return to Rapidos? The primary reason for using easy-shunts is uncoupling, so if you're not using that it may be simpler to change back.
Cheers,
Alan
Your right Alan, I have already thought of that. The main reason I went with easy shunt was because I have a covered area at the back of my layout where most of my trains are stored, and with rapidos it means I have to bring a train around to the front of the layout and physically uncouple it. I am still contemplating this though. At the moment it seems the better option.
Before changing the couplings, how about trying a bit of BluTack? Use some kind of magnifier if you find it difficult to see.
I know they're expensive but isn't it better to just replace the whole coupling with a new one?
I'd recommend a good magnifier, great for this job and so many others too..
I didn't know what I was missing until I bought one, now I use it for everything..
I got mine from Maplins, Clamps to a desk, inbuilt light and 5x magnification.
I also use a pair of 3.5x reading glasses from the pound shop and a clip on LED lamp from Ikea.
I would repair these couplings because they are too expensive to replace.
Cheers
Mark
As a confirmed easi-shunt fan I have many items of rolling stock converted (and a few awaiting conversion) and as a result a fair number of non working ones which need that pesky spring replaced in the spares box.
Previously there has been a thread on this forum which describes using super glue on the spring to keep it in place (stopping its loss which is what I suffer from). The idea is to put the glue on the fixed (non moving) part of the coupling and then (presumably without fear of losing the tiny spring) nudging it into the ridge on the moving jaw of the buck eye.
It sounds so simple ! But you need very good eye sight which I currently don't have unless you do it before the spring is lost ! I promise to start gluing my springs before they are lost when some of my other tasks are done. No, I really do promise !!!!!
Bob, have you tried threading the spring onto a cocktail stick before trying to slide it onto the glued part of the coupling? It might aid siting it and could prevent it pinging off.
There is another issue with all this. The pack of couplings comes with a small pack containing some spare springs. But on most of mine - and indeed the separate pack you can buy - the springs get "linked" together. It is near impossible to separate them without stretching distorting or losing them. Any idea.
I have about easi shunt 15 couplings (over £30 worth!) which have lost their springs (well the medium and short which is all i tend to use) and in theory enough spare springs to repair most of them.
AS an off thread footnote I often find the slightly larger gold coloured springs for the older couplings do the same thing.
Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. I do like these couplings and they work for what I want. I will look into the magnifying glasses but I am afraid they will not help me. I will have to convince my Wife to assist in this problem. The price of a new dress will be acceptable. haho. Len
Quote from: Portpatrick on July 30, 2017, 04:52:13 PM
... the springs get "linked" together. It is near impossible to separate them without stretching distorting or losing them. Any idea.
That's quite common with springs loosely packed together. Take the two linked springs, hold one still and gently twist the other anticlockwise, they will "un-screw". Definitely don't try to pull them apart.
Quote from: ntpntpntp on August 01, 2017, 08:51:24 AM
Quote from: Portpatrick on July 30, 2017, 04:52:13 PM
... the springs get "linked" together. It is near impossible to separate them without stretching distorting or losing them. Any idea.
That's quite common with springs loosely packed together. Take the two linked springs, hold one still and gently twist the other anticlockwise, they will "un-screw". Definitely don't try to pull them apart.
Thanks for the idea. I will try it. Though on some, they are so totally inter twined that holding just one may be difficult. Once separated, a friend has suggested attaching tape to the storage box sticky side up and placing them individually on that.
I will then only face the common challenge of middle aged eyes and the personal one of Essential Tremor! But I have managed to replace 2 in the past.
Quote from: Portpatrick on July 30, 2017, 04:52:13 PM
There is another issue with all this. The pack of couplings comes with a small pack containing some spare springs. But on most of mine - and indeed the separate pack you can buy - the springs get "linked" together. It is near impossible to separate them without stretching distorting or losing them. Any idea.
Another method for separating them is to place them in a shallow tray and rest a sharp blade on two or more joined springs. By working the blade side to side along the length of one coil it will slide one spring away. I recognise this requires good vision and some dexterity.
Where are you in Lancashire Len? I might be able to come and fit them for you if you're not too far.
Well at last I have got round to restoring a few of my springless easi shunts.
The approaches above for separating interlinked couplings have generally worked. I had one ping to oblivion and another stretched and distorted. But I managed to get some usables out of 4 intertwined.
Fitting to the couplings is another matter, but so far I have managed to do 4. I have 3 medium and 7 shorts to go. Then if I need them around 6 longs. I will look into the gluing approach as above.