Couplers

[maczimb]

Let me begin by thanking Jim for the phone number and instructions on how to retrieve messages.
On the topic of couplers, I believe it has been discussed before.
Most people seem to prefer K Dee couplers.
Why are they considered so much better than, E Z Mate?
Are we talking Cadillac vs Yugo??? or is it just Caddy vs Chevy?
Are E Z Mate really that bad?
What is the difference?
Are E Z Mate and K Dee compatible, will they work with one another??
I much prefer the price of E Z Mate.
Mac

 

[UP2CSX]

Mac, you're welcome. The basic problem with E-Z Mate couplers is that the shanks are plastic and the coupler is two pieces. You can see how it's constructed in this picture:

Kadee couplers are all metal and one piece. They are much more durable and less likely to get pulled out of the coupler box if you're running a long train. I have equipment with Kadee couplers that are more than 30 years old and they still work perfectly. Even though the initial cost of ownership is higher for Kadee's, they will cost you less, both in money and frustration, in the long run.

 

[mike8693]

Kadees not K Dee couplers are far superior to EZMate, which are cheap copies of the original Kadee couplers which became able to be copied when the patents ran out. I would suggest you convert to Kadees. They couple to all the copies like EZmates. Kadee make a variety of couplers to suit most HO rolling stock and locomotives. They are really durable as they are metal, instead of plastic.

edit: Jim ya beat me to it.