Trip pin pliers

[MK]

I know there are a few out there and supposedly the Kadee HO one works on N but some begged to differ.

I don't want to remove or clip them, just bend them slightly as some of the T-Trak modules that I run on are not exactly leveled well.  Anyone recommend a good pair or should I just get a pair or round pliers?  I don't want to put stress on the mount point of the pin as I bend it so the round hollow pliers may be preferred depending on people's experience.

[davefoxx]

I used to use a pair of Kadee trip pin pliers in HO scale years ago, but I never felt the need for the unitasker tool while I was in N scale.  Just try taking a pair of pliers and put one jaw under the trip pin and the other jaw on top of the pin where it projects through the top of the coupler.  Squeeze ever so slightly, and voila!  That should provide you with your clearance, Clarence. 

Hope this helps,
DFF

[MK]

Just try taking a pair of pliers and put one jaw under the trip pin and the other jaw on top of the pin where it projects through the top of the coupler.  Squeeze ever so slightly, and voila!

Hmmm...that should work great with MT trip pins.  But Accumates will be problematic as their pins don't extend beyond/above the coupler.  I'm trying to avoid the two pliers method with Accumates.

[Lemosteam]

Or pick up one of these from Walmart. prevents overbending.  The farther up the taper, the larger the radius of the bend:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BeadSmith-Simply-Modern-Series-Round-Concave-Nose-Pliers-4-75-Inches-Long/896172762?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1199&adid=22222222227272582871&wl0=&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=327941325509&wl4=pla-619749382716&wl5=9016864&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112562641&wl11=online&wl12=896172762&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAiAs8XiBRAGEiwAFyQ-eiYvqebuYqFkWR_yv4Q3J6NVtklbHUdqIZepQCntUSECtI1pxzx7VRoCXRsQAvD_BwE

[davefoxx]

Hmmm...that should work great with MT trip pins.  But Accumates will be problematic as their pins don't extend beyond/above the coupler.  I'm trying to avoid the two pliers method with Accumates.

Try plucking the trip pin out of the Accumates and do the same technique.  Then just put the pin back into the coupler.

DFF

[Maletrain]

I think what you really want is a smaller version of the trip pin pliers used in HO scale.  I found a Xeron tool that is pretty much like that, although it has a V-shaped jaw set instead of a round jaw set.  It is their "575 Micro Bender" tool.  For slight adjustments to bends, it works great for me.  If the somewhat non-round edge of the smaller jaw seems too sharp for your tastes, it can easily be rounded with a file.

[peteski]

The tool guy at the ARS show sells something similar to what Lemosteam posted. I bought one few years back and it works well for N scale trip pins.  But make sure to examine few before buying, because they are all slightly different. I picked the one with the smallest jaw end.

[randgust]

I've never had a problem with bending UP the trip pins resulting in coupler breakage as long as you think about it.

The force you transmit to the coupler through the pin must be straight BACK into the box, not up, down, or sideways.  If you can grip the top and bottom ends through the knuckle and 'pinch' slightly, great, but if you just grab the bottom with a pair of longnose, and twist up counterclockwise, transmitting all the twisting force straight back into the coupler shank into the box, you won't break it.  You do have to 'feel' what you're doing, I put a finger on top of the knuckle with the other hand to make sure it's not moving up, down, or sideways as I twist the pin, just straight back.

I've broken a few inserting pins and removing pins, but adjusting pins really doesn't require a special tool although it's nice to have.

As far as for bending them down, just use regular longnose, wider jaw, and spread the pin wider by squeezing anyplace on two areas of the bend across the jaws.   No force on the knuckle at all.

[Mr Z]

Look in the jewelry section of any craft store. You will find pliers almost identical to the ones Kadee sells. They're used to bend wire and chain

Martin Z

[MK]

Thanks everyone.  I am looking to bend them up.  I took a look at the Wally World one and Amazon had the same thing.  The comments were not glowing with many people reporting poor alignment between the two jaws but more importantly the concave side catches the wire and nicks them.  One reported the wire breaking but I doubt that will happen with the sturdier trip pins.

The Xuron 575 might be the ticket.  Although not curve concave but rather V concave, it might be able to nudge the pin ever so slightly.  Even Xuron's website describes the 575 as something that is ideal for adjusting trip pins, N, HO and O.  Plus it's Made in USA so I can expect some degree of quality.  I have their track cutter and it's made very very well.

For the Accumates, pulling them out, adjusting them and putting them back in is probably a no go.  I had a pin come out when it snagged on a T-Trak joint and putting it back in, if you are successful, tests one's patience tremendously to the point where I left it off. 

[nscalbitz]

Try plucking the trip pin out of the Accumates and do the same technique.  Then just put the pin back into the coupler.

DFF

I've tried re-placing dropped Acc. pins and they never seem to stay.
I think they must use a hot melt pressure fit that secures the metal to the knuckle, and once pulled/dropped they seem to be undersize  and no grip. Frankly I stopped trying, as layout owner did not want them AC'd in place.
dave

[PaulP]

Micro-Mark 80892 Trip Pin Pliers For N  $12.95 page 78 in the newest catalog I have

[MK]

Micro-Mark 80892 Trip Pin Pliers For N  $12.95 page 78 in the newest catalog I have

Is that the Kadee model?  It says for HO and O and doesn't mention N.

[dualgauge]

Paulp is correct. Gom to page 78. Look to right of number and description for HO & O #80892 for n.

[MK]

Oops!  I looked at the wrong one.  That is an N version.  I'll check them out as Micro Mark has recently decided to vend at the local train shows here in NJ.