Cheap uncoupling magnets

[Walter Clot]

A 30' strip of magnetic tape for $.97 (at Wal-Mart) will make 7 uncoupling magnets.  Cut them in two inch strips, Fasten one on top of the other, bevel the edges and install.  I just tried it. It works!   One strip will not work by itself, but putting one on top of the other will.  Be sure to bevel the edges to keep the trip pin from hanging up.  Since the magnets come in a roll, you may have to unroll it and put a weight on it for a while.  Be sure to get the 1/2 inch wide and not the 1 inch wide magnets.  If you need more, the larger roll is a better value!

Has anyone else tried this?  

Walter in Columbia 

[mopacforever]

That is a great idea!  I will try that myself.

[Walter Clot]

Thanks for your reply.  Let me know how it works for you. I'd like to hear from anyone who has tried it or plans to do so. 

Walter

[oleirish]

Great idea!!!!!!!!!Think I'll try one layer for my "N" scale!I allreday have some,I use it to look for screws an ECT,ECT on the rug!

JIM

[SilverSpike]

Sounds like a great idea, however, I have a few questions for you!

Do you install the double layer of magnetic tape under or over the track ties?

Also, what adhesive if any are you using for attachment?

[Walter Clot]

 I installed the test one over the ties.  That is why I said to bevel the edges so the trip pin wouldn't hang up on them.  They come with their own adhesive on the back.  It might be necessary to add some other glue to fasten the bottom one to the track.  I've experience no problems at this time.

 Sorry for the delay in answering, I was gone most of the day and just returned home.

Walter

[Don Gibson]

THE TRICK to uncoupling magnets is:

(1)LENGTH  to aid  'spotting'. (2)HEIGHT for relative operational strength,

Electro-magnets, judiciously placed, allow 'Delayed Uncoupling' without attracting annoying metal debris.

REAL Railroads un-couple by hand and couple by 'shoving' together. - So do I.

[Walter Clot]

Don, I do that where I can reach the trains and especially if it is on a main line.  The magnets help me in the hard to reach places.  I use the tapered "McDonald" coffee stir stick to do the manual uncoupling.  You get them free with a cup of coffee at McDonald's.  If you don't drink coffee, you can still get one to stir your coke.

Walter

[Walter Clot]

Since this question has been out for a few days,  I was wondering if anyone else had tried it and what results they had?  Do you have any other ideas on magnetic uncoupling?

Walter

[SOU Fan]

If you don't drink coffee, you can still get one to stir your coke.

Walter

LOL, I guess the coke might settle

[Eriediamond]

I'm like Don. Uncouple by hand. But in places hard to reach, I've used under track magnets mounted on tungue suppresser sticks hinged with a pull string attached. All you need to do is pull the string to swing the magnet up into place, uncouple as usual, let go of the string. No unsightly magnets between the rails and no false uncoupling, plus they are cheep to make. Ken  PS Sorry, I don't know how to do drawings and post them.

Since this question has been out for a few days,  I was wondering if anyone else had tried it and what results they had?  Do you have any other ideas on magnetic uncoupling?

Walter

[Walter Clot]

Eriediamond, That sounds interesting!  I'm trying to visualize it.   Is there a rubber band or spring on the far side of the tongue depressor to return it to its place after using it?  How is it kept out of sight when in use and not in use?  How do you conceal the pull string?  Do  you have raised track to allow the depresser and the magnet to slide under the track?  Do you have a section of road bed removed for it to fit under the track?

If I could picture it, I would like to experiment with it.  Actually since my magnets are hard to reach, they are also hard to see!   Thanks for the input.

You could still do the same thing with the magnets that my original post mentions.

Walter