Hi folks
Hopefully I have posted this in the correct section.
Does anyone within the society offer making and fitting Greenwich or microtrains couplers to wagons as I have tried unsuccessfully over the years and now as old age approaches it is very frustrating ?
Thanks
John Adams
John, I know how you feel. Both Microtrains and Greenwich are not for us older chaps. At least with Microtrains they have a assembly tool, but Greenwich are horrible. I have destroyed more Greenwich couplers then I have made.
As far as some one providing services of assembly and installations I am not sure as I think this question was asked sometime back and there was no answer. I could be wrong, I hope I am!
I know this reply does not answer your question, other than to say I feel your frustration.
Robin.
Because of the time involved I would think that the cost would be quite high per coupling, probably somewhere around £10 each coupling.
This may be somewhat prohibative to paying to get them fitted.
Just out of interest what are the issue you are both having with making the Greenwich couplings?
I'm not sure if being 6 months off my 50th classes me as old, middling or whatever (I suppose it depends on your viewpoint or how I'm feeling!) but if it's any help I use a pair of pliers - either my 'parallel action" jobs or ones with a squared off end. The key I find is to use the jaws of the pliers and align them with the 'notches' on the etch when folding, and double (even triple) check that the pilers are in the right place* as you'll not be able to 'unbend and try again', especially with bending the metal back on itself to make the buffer, without risking breaking the metal (it also may not help that there may have been a rogue batch that were made from a harder brass then usual that was harder to bend / easier to snap).
(*and yes, as I get older I'm relying more and more on on good lighting and magnifying visors to help with this!)
My construction order is to bend up the buffer head, then the pivots on the 'buffer' then bend up the loop, though I generally add the soft iron wire coil with the loop 'in the flat' as I find it easier to wind the wire round and squidge it into place this way (adding a dab of superglue to hold it).
Bending down the 'ears' to make the pivot for the loop is particularly awkward (the ones on the loop being worse imho), but not impossible, but to get the loop to move freely I usually run a small drill (to match the size of the pins provided) or cutting broach through the holes to remove any etching cusp, and the cutting broach used gently and carefully can improve a stiff loop, but the key here is not to permanently fit the pivot pin until you know the loop moves freely.
The pins can be a bit of a mare as well, as I find it difficult to bend over one end to retain it and cut the spare off, or vice versa, as there isn't much space to play with to get pilers and cutters in. You could try a small dab of superglue under the head of the pin to stick it to the loop, maybe with a collar made from the insulation from fine wire on the other end, but again with some of the small pliers & cutters I have aqueired over the years I've been able to manage.
Once the couplings have been made they are then fitted to the wagon, and I'd highly recommend the cast resin gauge from RT Models as an aid to getting them all at the right height.
I can't comment on the Microtrains jobs as I've never used them (sorry).
Edit: I was also going to add something about the cost aspect of this. I suspect that Brian is along the right lines with his estimate give the UK's National Minimum / Living wage figures of £8.91 per hour (see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-national-minimum-wage-in-2021).
I've tried assembling Microtrains couplers and decided it was not for me. The were the type where a tiny spring had to be inserted to keep the 'tongue' or whatever it is called in place.
With the Greenwich ones I ruined a few before I got the hang of it. Something to bear in mind is you generally get one shot at bending because straightening and re-bending is likely to fracture the metal. Possibly it could be annealed but that would burn off the coating.
I agree on the correct choice of pliers. I have a small pair of flat nose pliers with parallel sides that are almost exactly the right width to fit along the shaft between the lugs or ears and I find gripping the piece and bending up the desired part using something hard and flat works for me. The parallel side of the pliers means I bend to near 90 degrees and not too far. It is the same sort of action as using a sheet metal bender.
I guess if one wanted to that way there may be thin enough fingers on a Hold'n'fold.
The Greenwich couplers are very smart looking in it's flat pack packaging. It's the assembly. I have problems with my eyes and recently with the joints in my fingers. I up graded the lens on my optivisor a month or so ago which has helped. But, there are times when I have to view a item with my head slightly turned, this changes the perspective of what I am working on. In this case If there was a simple tool that would fit between the etched lines of the tabs/ ears of the part to be bent this would enable a repeatable fold each time. For me it's hit or a major miss. I'm only my mid 60s but that's it, the aging body. Fun times ahead.
Robin.