Dean Payne wrote:
"I think the Kadee coupler box has too much play, or is it because I used a
McHenry scale sized coupler? I might try a shim inside the coupler box, if
that would help reduce the vertical play."

As posted earlier, the Kadee #5 box does have a bunch of vertical slop. A
shim inside the coupler box would definitely help. BTW, if you're going to
go with a scale coupler on a resin kit, why use anything with the #5 box?
The smaller coupler head only serves to call attention to the too wide and
shallow #5 box. Use a scale Accumate or a Kadee #78 instead.

The other lesson learned here is that you've got to resolve coupler and
truck issues early in construction before fine detailing and finishing. You
can do this as early as right after assembling the "box". This is
especially true for scale sized couplers, which have far less tolerance for
vertical mismatches. Trying to fix them after you've finished the model
invites ruining details.


Ben Hom