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Hi Spottydog.
The N Gauge Society Shop sells at least 3 alternatives to the ubiquitous Microtrains (Kadee) couplers and, although I had just about settled on the DG Couplers from Model Signal Engineering, I have been carrying out trial assemblies of them.
I have tried MBMs, MBDs and B&Bs (don't ask me what all the initials stand for. I haven't a clue) The MBM is a simple hook and catch coupler without any autouncoupling facility whereas the other 2 are both variations on the D&G theme. i.e they are all made up from brass frets and require the attachment of some ferrous wire in order to provide the magnetic coupling/uncoupling function. The difference between these and the D&G is that they, theoretically, do not require any soldering. However, without soldering they rely on a mechanical grip between the brass and the fine ferrous wire. Of the 3 I think the B&Bs, which are incidentally ready blackened, come closest in terms of both loooks and functionality. They are all, however, extremely fiddly to put together with a lot of pushing and pulling to get the pre-formed brass loop installed. I can put together a D&G coupler, including the soldered connections, in about 5 minutes but the assembly times for the others I tried varied between 10 minutes and half an hour.
OK so that would probably improve over the learning curve but I would always have a niggling doubt about the reliability of the connection between brass and steel and have therefore decided to carry on using the D&Gs which, with the soldered connection, will give me peace of mind that the bit of steel wire won't come detached at the most inopportune moment.
The N Gauge Society Shop sells at least 3 alternatives to the ubiquitous Microtrains (Kadee) couplers and, although I had just about settled on the DG Couplers from Model Signal Engineering, I have been carrying out trial assemblies of them.
I have tried MBMs, MBDs and B&Bs (don't ask me what all the initials stand for. I haven't a clue) The MBM is a simple hook and catch coupler without any autouncoupling facility whereas the other 2 are both variations on the D&G theme. i.e they are all made up from brass frets and require the attachment of some ferrous wire in order to provide the magnetic coupling/uncoupling function. The difference between these and the D&G is that they, theoretically, do not require any soldering. However, without soldering they rely on a mechanical grip between the brass and the fine ferrous wire. Of the 3 I think the B&Bs, which are incidentally ready blackened, come closest in terms of both loooks and functionality. They are all, however, extremely fiddly to put together with a lot of pushing and pulling to get the pre-formed brass loop installed. I can put together a D&G coupler, including the soldered connections, in about 5 minutes but the assembly times for the others I tried varied between 10 minutes and half an hour.
OK so that would probably improve over the learning curve but I would always have a niggling doubt about the reliability of the connection between brass and steel and have therefore decided to carry on using the D&Gs which, with the soldered connection, will give me peace of mind that the bit of steel wire won't come detached at the most inopportune moment.
