I use the pointy tool that came with my soldering iron.
Other than uncoupling cars, I have no idea what it's for.
I rest the point in between couplers then twist. Slack helps.
I know when I tried the first few times it didn't work right. Kind of have to get the feel for it.
T e d
tedteddersonOther than uncoupling cars, I have no idea what it's for
To make holes in foam to drop wires or plant trees
UNCLEBUTCH tedtedderson Other than uncoupling cars, I have no idea what it's for To make holes in foam to drop wires or plant trees
tedtedderson Other than uncoupling cars, I have no idea what it's for
tedteddersonI use the pointy tool that came with my soldering iron. Other than uncoupling cars, I have no idea what it's for.
You mean that tool with the red plastic middle section and the pointy aluminum thing on each end? I think it is supposed to help you hold things you want to solder together. The solder won't join anything to the aluminum.
gregci have a problem with #5 and and #148 (metal) coupler. I had thought the difference was the different types of coupler, the 148 is smaller. But they are not at the same height. i'll correct the height and try again. do anyone know why height is important?
I believe height is important (other than for avoiding uncoupling problems, as has been mentioned), because when you're inserting the point of the skewer between couplers, you're not pushing straight down on both couplers so that they both can open at the same time. I haven't observed it that closely to verify that that's what happens, but the "feel" is different when attempting to uncouple cars when either one or both couplers are drooping.
i tried again with the metal couplers. i think there is big difference between the #5 and #148. much less of a problem uncoupling #5/#5. there's more space inside the #5
i didn't think there was a problem with a height difference. I recognize the difference between droop, where the coupler is now at an angle. i agree there are problems with droopy couplers
but the other thing i've noticed, especially with the metal couplers is that once something forces the hands (moving part) apart, there little room between them and the opposite coupler body, and therefore little room for them to swing open
however, if the skewer is filed down more like a blade, it can be inserted not just between the hands, but to one side so that when twisted, it actually pushes the hand to the side. perhaps a little pressure in the opposite direction actually moves the couplers apart laterally. Perhaps this is part of the "feel".
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
SeeYou190 Rix used to make a really useful tool with two magnets that could be set on the outside of the cars like a portable uncoupler. It was pretty slick. I have two of the Rix uncouplers. Sometimes they work, sometimes not so much. . It won't work if you are cutting off the trip pins. . -Kevin .
Rix used to make a really useful tool with two magnets that could be set on the outside of the cars like a portable uncoupler. It was pretty slick.
I have two of the Rix uncouplers. Sometimes they work, sometimes not so much.
.
It won't work if you are cutting off the trip pins.
-Kevin