I have been able to find several uncoupling tools for HO but none for N. Will the HO work for N or do I have to make something myself. I'm hoping to make switching yards on a new layout. And a switching yard layout for the HO that I also have.
For manual uncoupling you can use a Rix Pick or anything from a bamboo skewer to a small screwdriver and everything in between.
i did a function [DCC] actuated uncoupler for HO some years back ... it used one function for the uncoupler [two if you wanted both ends] and would work on any locomotive or rolling stock if it had at least one spare function lead, and cost less than a dollar. i don't know if it would work for N scale due to the size of the pager motor used for actuation.
An option with the rix is to chop the handle off one and glue the post to the center of the lens on a mini-flashlight with clear epoxy. This way it shines some light between the cars onto the coupler when uncoupling.
Hoghead2 sounds interesting. I do have a Kato oval, M2, for N. But, would need to know where to look for such and other track items. For a reasonable price.
Back in the day, McDonalds had a paddle shaped coffee stirrer. One could file the paddle down to the shape of a Rix Pic blade and get the job done. However, now they only provide small diameter straws of which you would need at least three to adequately stir your coffee. I wonder how much money they really saved.
the pager motors that i used were 3.50 for ten off ebay [including shipping], and the thread was gutermann silk from walmart, a little over a dollar for a spool full, so maybe a penny for what i used, so thirty six cents each .. .
Sorry I don't like McD's or any other quick feed places. But do remember those paddle shaped devices. I'm wondering if there will be a lot of new stuff there. New menu?
Before the paddle shaped coffee stirrers Mc Donalds had one that had the same handle but came with a small spoon shaped tip. It was replaced by the paddle shaped tip because the spoon shaped tip was used by the drug crowd for their purposes.
Another thing I have seen used on both HO and N scale are those bristle type teeth cleaners. There are different varieties, they are fairly cheap, buy a couple different types and try them. GUM Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners Interdental Brushes, Ultra Tight 10 count (Pack of 1) - Walmart.com