+1 for whisker couplers

"what are your thoughts on

I tested the whisker scale head type when I was considering HO scale for my latest layout and I found them to be great. Easier to install and seemed to work as well or better than the older brass spring plate style , so I'd recommend them.....DaveB 

Less vertical slop

Since they don't have the separate spring plate with the whiskers, the tolerances in the box can be tighter.  Significant vertical slop in the traditional #5 box can cause problems and I've always tried to minimize it.

Thumbs up for the whiskers!

Scott Chatfield

Another vote...

For the whiskers!

Andre

Yup

The whisker couplers are simpler to install and very reliable. They work best when installed in the new #242 snap-together coupler boxes.

Two issues: as Scott C. mentioned, some coupler boxes are too tall and need shimming for the whisker couplers to remain level.  Some coupler boxes are also too short, leaving the whiskers protruding from the open end and reducing the spring centering pressure.

The #140 (blue card) bulk packs of 50 #148 couplers are a good way to go if you don't need coupler boxes.

Delayed uncoupling

The assymetrical force springs on the #5 are designed for delayed uncoupling over magnetic ramps.  The whiskers are not, but may work just as well. 

FWIW, slightly grinding/filing the top edge and top front corners of the springs seems to improve performance a bit.  It also does help prevent the coupler from hanging up at the extreme sides of the coupler box.

The only good way for me to go too!

Big improvement.  Fits some tight draft gear boxes well.  If you do happen to find some slop just add one or two of Kadee’s red or gray shims.

OOnly place whiskers don't work for me is on my face..... 

NIck

140 Bulk Pack

I like the whiskers, too.  I first tried the 148s to replace Bachmann whisker couplers, and they performed well.  I too had always used the bulk packs of #5 couplers, but I switched to the 148s when my last pack got used up.  I'm glad I did.  Accurail cars, for one, tend to have a tight box, enough so that I would have to try to trim the vertical height of a #5 spring, but the 148s fit right in.  You just have to watch and make sure the whiskers stay in the box when you're tightening the lid.

No brainer.

No brainier. Whiskers. Occasionally I've found the bronze spring version may be useful to put under the coupler to raise the height a bit and/or reduce sag. Yes, this defeats the delayed action feature which may not be a problem if you don't use it, and the couple still seams to center well.

I have since converted to

I have since converted to whisker couplers a year or two ago because I got about 50 to 100 from somewhere. They work so much easier and better so I am hooked.  I will only order whisker couplers in the future. 

Hmm! So the #148s will not

Hmm! So the #148s will not work with magnetic uncoupler's.  Good to know as I will have a few hard to reach areas I need to use magnetic uncoupling.  I guess it will be #5s.

All Kadees work with magnetic uncoupling

It was suggested the #5 might work better with the delayed uncoupling feature, which very few of us use, but I think the #148 and other whisker couplers work just fine in most cases.

Scott Chatfield

Not true

Not true. There was some concern that the symmetrical nature of the whiskers *might* inhibit the magnetic delayed coupled feature, that’s all, but I’ve seen no evidence of that personally.

The whisker couplers uncouple just fine over magnets.

I have found the function of

I have found the function of whiskers to be as reliable as the old standard kadees over magnets. In fact they can be used for magnetic uncoupling over much smaller magnets that the kadee magnets. The delayed uncoupling works fine with either type.

Only things to watch for are getting one of the whiskers caught in a coupler box lid and the occasional need to shim the couplers both kinds to eliminate excessive end play (up and down). I prefer actual shims rather than the paper washers as they support the entire coupler in the box and do not allow excessive play at the ends of the coupler box.

The advantage of the larger size vs the scale size is the larger coupling surface. So if you have some bad track or very sharp transitions from grade to level the larger couplers may over come this and stay coupled. If you take your equipment to different layouts you may experience standards not as high as your own.

The strength of the couplers is quite good and will hold up to use in long heavy trains.

Awesome , thanks for sharing

Awesome , thanks for sharing that info guys. I was really set on using the 148s for any future needs.

Advantage and Concerns with new "Whisker" Kadee Couplers

Another advantage of Kadee Whisker couplers is that they can be installed in a more scale width 3/16" wide box instead of the 1/4" standard width box we're used to. This is really nice for steam engine pilots and cabooses that are very visible. With care the coupler shank loop can be filed slightly narrower to fit the 3/16" box.

I have two new concerns to watch out over:

A. The molded coupler box on some cars has a discontinuity gap or burr that can catch the end of the whisker and prevent the coupler from re-centering. Solutions: file the burr off, insert strip of Evergreen .060 x .015" strip over the gap, or switch back to the spring-plate type of coupler.

B. The cut end of the whisker can have a burr that can catch on rough surface of box side. Solution: I almost always pass a file over the outside edge of the whisker end to remove any possible burr. Likewise make sure the side of the box is smooth like the top and bottom also should be. I rub a pencil lead all over the inside of the box to smooth and lubricate it.

I really like the new Kadee Whisker 153 semi-scale head couplers because they couple the cars slightly closer together.

The scale-head knuckle springs often have a little extra length curly that pokes out and sometimes catches the side of the box and holds the coupler over. Solution is to cut the wild spring curly off. It is steel instead of bronze so it is hard to cut off. I use an X-acto chisel blade and press it against the head or shank to nip it off.

Reynold from Puyallup

The whisker couplers should

The whisker couplers should work fine with delayed uncoupling.  That is why they took so long to get on the market, finding the correct spring pressures took a long time...