Hornby HST 2008 to 2021 Magnetic Buckeye Couplings 3D print model

I recently developed a magnetic buckeye coupling for NEM sockets which people have been purchasing. Since then I purchased a fairly modern Hornby HST that was made in 2018, when I got it the NEM coupling was lower than the standard position for NEM sockets. As I wanted to switch to magnetic couplings instead of tension lock couplings I decided to modify my Buckeye coupling that I recently developed.

As you can see in the photos this coupling raises the height of the magnetic buckeye by about 4mm so it will couple with the other buckeye couplings I have developed.

When you download this item you will get the buckeye couplings for the HST power car and the buckeye couplings for the coaches.

The Buckeye Coupling for the power car come in 4 length, measured from NEM socket to magnet face. These are 8mm, 9mm, 10mm and 11mm. Personally I think 9mm is about right, but your choice.

The Buckeye Couplings for the coaches come in 5 lengths, measured from NEM socket to magnet face. These are 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm and 12mm. These can be used on other rolling stock and not limited to the HST. They can also be used on the Hornby HST that was produced after 2021.

My biggest concern with this was the strength of a resin for something like a coupling, so the design was kept fairly simple to maximize the strength. As with the Vacuum Pipe design I recommend you use ABS like resin or something similar, I used AnyCubic ABS Like Resin.

Magnets used: 2mm dia x 1mm thick

https://amzn.to/3WZoThF (Amazon) Associate Link

Resin used:

AnyCubic ABS Like Resin Pro 2 https://amzn.to/4dVZoEU (Amazon) Associate Link

Please be aware that 3D printed couplings will not be as strong as injected molded couplings, with using these you will probably need spares on hand in case of any break. With the ABS-like resin I have had minimal failures but nothing is perfect.

I also recommend you print these vertically with the buckeye at the top.

Magnets need to be glued in and you need to have the correct magnetic polarity for each magnet. This is very important for coupling together.The examples in the pictures were printed on an AnyCubic Proton M3 3D resin printer.For dimensional accuracy, I would recommend printing on a resin printer.As mentioned I used AnyCubic ABS Like Resin, I’m not an expert on what resin you should use.

Additional Info

Please check out my Website, https://sites.google.com/view/pete3dprintinghelp/home

My website has lots of useful info.