Am a modeller of Australian narrow gauge on gauge 1 (1:24 scale) and use my own meat chopper couplers but am getting a bit of 1:29 gear to run on the club railway, I will be using Kadees on this stuff but I am a bit curious:- I won’t ever need the Kadee glad hands for uncoupling as we will not have any magnets, am thinking about cutting them off as I see other modellers have done, still fine for coupling but what do you fella’s use for uncoupling? I don’t want to resort to the old 5 finger lift, in HO I have a similar issue but I use a small flat blade screwdriver and twist apart, do I use a bigger screwdriver?
Wayne Hoskin said:You've got it, Wayne. In most screwdriver sets, there is one flat-bladed screwdriver that is longer than the others, that never gets used, because it is too long. That's the one you want. Just stick the blade between the knuckles, twist, and there you go.
Am a modeller of Australian narrow gauge on gauge 1 (1:24 scale) and use my own meat chopper couplers but am getting a bit of 1:29 gear to run on the club railway, I will be using Kadees on this stuff but I am a bit curious:- I won't ever need the Kadee glad hands for uncoupling as we will not have any magnets, am thinking about cutting them off as I see other modellers have done, still fine for coupling but what do you fella's use for uncoupling? I don't want to resort to the old 5 finger lift, in HO I have a similar issue but I use a small flat blade screwdriver and twist apart, do I use a bigger screwdriver?
You guys that know how to do this screwdriver make it look so easy. I’ve tried it multiple times and can’t get the hang of it. I’m always fumbling trying to uncouple kadees. I much prefer my Delton’s with the bottom pin. I have a screwdriver bent at a 90 degree angle that works perfect, first time, every time 
My 1:20 stock will be converted to Accucraft couplers. I’m still not sure about working cut levers though.
Jon Radder said:
You guys that know how to do this screwdriver make it look so easy. I've tried it multiple times and can't get the hang of it. I'm always fumbling trying to uncouple kadees. I much prefer my Delton's with the bottom pin. I have a screwdriver bent at a 90 degree angle that works perfect, first time, every time :DMy 1:20 stock will be converted to Accucraft couplers. I’m still not sure about working cut levers though.
Mabbe yer not holding yer jaw just right.
Or, more likely, you are trying to twist the wrong way.
Try clockwise, not counter clockwise.
Wayne,
I cut off the “Kadee Tail” and use a screwdriver. It works well for me and my switching layout. Others results may vary.