Uncouplers

[Nine Elms]

What type of Uncoupler do you people prefer?

John

[Walkingthedog]

[Nine Elms]

WTD

Made one of the uncouplers (using a knitting needle) as shown in 'photo, works a treat and the beauty of it is that it can be used anywhere.

Thank you
John

[Walkingthedog]

Exactly. The torch helps a lot.

[Mountain Goat]

I have not made one specifically yet but I do tend to use wire or a bicycle spoke.

It all depends on the coupling designs used. With mine all it needs is something to lift the drop loops over the other vehicles buffer so it is relitively easy to do as the drop loops are hinged via very simple loop type hinges which are mounted to the bufferbeams.
It is a little more difficult where a chain is concerned for the modellers who use 3 link couplings, and also if one uses tension lock type couplings, then a hand held device with a paddle that can go under the bottom of the hooks can be used or a way to lift the hooks from above the loops can also be done via a wire or something similar, with the only difficulty being that both hooks need to be lifted at the same time.
With my couplings I am only dealing with one drop loop that needs to be lifted. 3 link is similar in this way. One does not use both three links from both vehicles. One just choses one to hook over another vehicles hook.
Some modellers will make their 3 link chains rigid which helps them couple the things, but even then I believe my drop loops are easier... But they are for narrow gauge central buffer use so would not be used for standard gauge which uses two buffers and the 3 link (Or screw link) designs.
The European H0 couplings can be lifted with wire. Some coupling types are not so easy to hand operate as they are designed to operate automatically via a magnet or a ramp etc.
I do fine couplings fascinating, and I love to see the various designs both on model and on the prototype.