Large Scale Central

Screws for bachmann truck mounted couplers

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

Until I save up some funds to start purchasing some Kadee couplers for my rolling stock and engines, I’ll be sticking with the Bachmann truck mounted couplers.

I’ve recently received a number of Bachmann freight cars that do not have couplers on them. I have the couplers but I have ran out of the screws that screw the coupler on the truck arm.
Would anyone happen to know what size these little screws are, or where I could possibly pickup a supply of them to install couplers on these new additions?

thanks,
mt

#2

You should be able to get screws of the same size at any local hardware store or box store. Just bring a screw from another piece of rolling stock to match up size. Better yet body mount the couplers and then you can use any size screw.

#3

Those little cardboard drawers in hardware stores have all sorts of neat things in them for modelers. All sizes/types of screws and small bolts. I use the small cotter pins for stanchions. The various sizes of nylon washers are real handy also. When I junk out a vcr, or whatever, I take them apart and save various screws/bolts from them. Always come in handy.

#4

True about the screws in bins. Still, I am looking at these things left over from putting my Bachmann back together and wondering, is it a #2? Is it a sheet metal screw? I suppose once someone definitively identifies the screw it’d be good to write that down somewhere. On the other hand, with three locos under the surgical knife here, I may end up with enough spare parts not to care!

#5

Michael;

Back when I bought a box of 100 screws to mount couplers, the cost was under $2.00. Still should not be too much higher than that. I am at work now, so I can’t tell you the screw size, but take a screw along with you, as Shawn suggested. I do remember that the length of my screws was 3/8 inch.

Since I started my slooooooooooow conversion to Kadees, I made it a habit to save all the extra bits from the coupler packets. Those extras have “saved my bacon” on numerous projects, and I no longer need to buy new screws.

Best,
David Meashey

#6

W hen you body mount Kadee couplers, use the screws that come with the couplers.
If you use proper Styrene shims, glued to the underframe, then drill with a pinvice, the holes (Centre and end)to the correct size, the screws will self thread into the holes…makes for a neat secure mounting…you don’t need the nuts…