Does anybody have instructions they could send me for the NEM version of the Greenwich coupling please?
The buisness end is the same as before but the NEM end needs more bending and I am not sure of the best sequence, because the first one I tried snapped off as I bent it.
Do you bend into the side with the groove cut or away from it?
Stephen
I thought the couplings came with instructions?
Quote from: hughn on March 12, 2020, 20:27
I thought the couplings came with instructions?
They didn't come direct from the source, but Greenwich have sent me some anyway.
I read somewhere that they are about to start making non magnetic metal wheels, that could be good :)
Quote from: Stephen Rainsbury on March 10, 2020, 23:48
Do you bend into the side with the groove cut or away from it?
Generally for half-etched bends (for 90 degree bends anyway) you bend with the groove on the inside so as you bend the gap closes up like a mitred joint (a bit like some flat-pack MDF furniture).
For 180 degree bends I think the same applies except the groove should be wider so the bend radiuses (is that a word?) around the outside to make a keyhole-like shape. If the half-thickness strip of metal is on the inside I imagine it will severely limit the tightness of the bend before the metal creases and snaps.
I bought another packet of Greenwich couplings at Model Rail Scotland last month that are waiting to be made. I remember I broke a couple last time. You definitely get only one go at bending and even slight adjustment might fracture the bend.
I might try reinforcing the bends with solder this time, but obviously this means stripping the paint. I wish they came unpainted for that reason. However people manage fine with them so I guess it is just me being ham-fisted. ???
Edit: I've just opened my new packet of Greenwich couplings (normal mount type, not NEM pocket mounting). There are no half etch grooves, just divots or "bites" out of the edges where the bends go. The date on the etch is 2002. They were from the Squires stand so it is perhaps unlikely they are old stock. I see they now have a semi-matt black finish. My original ones were glossy black.
Quote from: GraemeD on March 13, 2020, 09:38
Generally for half-etched bends (for 90 degree bends anyway) you bend with the groove on the inside so as you bend the gap closes up like a mitred joint (a bit like some flat-pack MDF furniture).
There is another bend on the NEM ones that I hadn't considered
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49655359663_78065e722a_n.jpg)