Last week one of my towns Councilmen was walking around my neighborhood doing some campaigning, passing out literature along with a small flashlight on a keychain. The light has five 3mm leds, Later I glued a Rix Pic onto the flashlight with five minute epoxy to make a new uncoupling pic. Since it has five leds it is quite a bit brighter than the one I made a couple of years ago from a Mini Maglight Solitare which I misplaced and cant find
I recall an article in MR many years ago, where someone used a pen light, and attached a piece of brass rod which was flattened at the tip.
Excellent! I've been having trouble keeping my BBQ skewer uncouplers lit. I could easily lose the gizmo, so I'd keep it on a lanyard or ID badge cord and wear it (ahem, around the neck). I'd swing the thing behind my back when not in use because I know I'll lean over to check out something on the layout and hit something else. Come to think of it, I wouldn't use a brass pick nowadays with the outside chance of dropping it and causing a short.
Very clever, never thought of this. My problem will be convincing local politicians to spend their campaign money on flashlights rather than meaningless TV ads.
I believe the MR story was called, "Wild Willy's Uncoupling Tool," and it was probably published 20 to 30 years ago. I've been using something similar: a T-pin taped to a pocket flashlight. Works wonderfully. Jim