Train Coupler

[Frank Defert]

Hi,

I am looking for information / advise on how to couple wooden train cars. I do not want to use hooks or magnets, I am looking at going all wood.

I have found a router bit set from Rockler designed for track connectors and maybe able to work it into a coupler. I am not going to be making track just cars that can go anywhere.

Thanks .... Frank

[Jerome Hanby]

I think I would have a tab on the front and back of each car. One end the tab would have a hole, the tab on the other end would have a dowel that would fit the hole. You'd need to work out the height difference so that the cars would sit level and flat when coupled. Or you could go with holes in each tab and have small pins to couple them...

[Lee Schierer]

Use a dumbbell made from two balls and a short length of dowel. The ends of the dumbbell go into counter bored holes in the cars. You could make one end captive so the dumbbell wouldn't get lost.

[Chris Kennedy]

I think I would have a tab on the front and back of each car. One end the tab would have a hole, the tab on the other end would have a dowel that would fit the hole. You'd need to work out the height difference so that the cars would sit level and flat when coupled. Or you could go with holes in each tab and have small pins to couple them...

This is how my boy's little train is coupled. See:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2299779

Cheers,

Chris

[Jerome Hanby]

That's what I was trying to describe :D


This is how my boy's little train is coupled. See:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2299779

Cheers,

Chris

[Myk Rian]

Small screw eyes work also.

[Dave Lehnert]

Here is a free set of plans from Shopsmith that will give you an idea.

http://www.freetoytrainplans.com/

http://www.freetoytrainplans.com/images/trainbig.jpg

[Frank Defert]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am not sure what I am going to do just yet , but I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks .... Frank

[harry strasil]

Frank, I noticed in Rocklers new catalogue that came today there are rare earth magnets you can use for train couplers on page 49.