SCRWDRVR Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 I've never had a set of sprue cutters, I've always used side cutters (what I've always called dikes) and then did my final clean up with the X-Acto knife. Is there any advantage to switching to a sprue cutter over the side cutters? I would think I would still have to finish with the X-Acto anyway...
gman Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 There are some benefits to a good sprue cutter- you get a nice, precision cut that requires minimal clean up with an Exacto and files. I bought one of this brand for under $30 years ago, money well spent.
High octane Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 Sprue cutters are a great tool to have. Get one and use it, you'll be glad you did.
espo Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 I use mine continuously. There are many on the market, mine just happens to be made for Testors by Xuron Corp. As GMan pointed out the ease of removing parts from the spruce is one of the primary reasons, but they are designed to get into very tight places to remove a part with no damage to the part.
martinfan5 Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 I love my pair of Mr Godhand cutters, best $46 ive ever spent in the hobby, its like cutting butter with a blazing hot knife.
SCRWDRVR Posted February 23, 2020 Author Posted February 23, 2020 Ok, so basically with the sprue cutter then it would allow me to cut right up on the parts rather then cut them out with a big piece of the tree still on it..
Roadrunner Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 I use some el cheapo cutters I found years ago at Radio Shack; exact same thing as the "Hobby nippers" I also had, but for a third of the price. I have about five pair now, and use them all the time.
peteski Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 Getting an actual sprue cutter will make your modeling much easier. For a small price you will be much happier (unless you like trimming pieces of the plastic gate leftover from your dike-cut). The diagonal cutters also displace and deform the item being cut, instead of cutting it. Well, the sprue cutter also displaces some material, but it occurs on the side of the gate which is left on the parts tree.
bisc63 Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 I've been using one of these for over 3 years now; an insanely great bargain: https://www.ebay.com/itm/5Pcs-Electrical-Wire-Cable-Cutter-Cutting-Plier-Side-Snips-Flush-Pliers-Tool-US/133244633012?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D3c800f8721d742e5902bde1781b0eef4%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D352785013790%26itm%3D133244633012%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
OldNYJim Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 What’s wrong with just twisting the parts off the sprue?! ???
afx Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 I use these, got them at Michael's for about $6.
peteski Posted February 23, 2020 Posted February 23, 2020 55 minutes ago, bisc63 said: I've been using one of these for over 3 years now; an insanely great bargain: https://www.ebay.com/itm/5Pcs-Electrical-Wire-Cable-Cutter-Cutting-Plier-Side-Snips-Flush-Pliers-Tool-US/133244633012?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D3c800f8721d742e5902bde1781b0eef4%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D352785013790%26itm%3D133244633012%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 I have the Xuron branded version and use for its intended tasks. Nothing is wrong with those unless you want really clean cut. The jaws are too thick to fit between the part and the tree on many parts trees I have handled. The angle of the cutting edges is too shallow for precision cutting. Real "sprue cutters" are modified tweezers. The blade has a sharp angle which prevents the material being cut from being squished too much. The jaws are also very thin to get into those tight spots. Why is everybody so resistant to spending around $10 (or even less) to add a quality tool to their modeling toolbox? I don't get it. Proper tool for the job make the job easier.
Plowboy Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 I haven't used sprue cutters for years. I got tired of breaking delicate parts and having small parts zing off into oblivion. I started using a photo etch saw blade and like it so much better. No damaged or lost parts and I get much cleaner cuts.
R. Thorne Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 Get the xuron2175, you won’t regret it. There are others (even the harbor freight one isn’t bad) that are ok, also. They make taking the part off the sprue a joy, usually require only a quick hit with the sanding stick afterwards (depending on how picky you are). Most good quality sprue cutters will stop small parts from “launching” when cut.
gman Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 2 hours ago, Plowboy said: I haven't used sprue cutters for years. I got tired of breaking delicate parts and having small parts zing off into oblivion. I started using a photo etch saw blade and like it so much better. No damaged or lost parts and I get much cleaner cuts. I have some #11 saw blades I use for removing certain parts from the sprue, as well as an Atlas Snap Saw for some tasks as well. In combination with a dedicated sprue cutter, nothing wrong with having a variety of tools for the task at hand. https://www.micromark.com/Saw-Blade-010x40-TPI-Package-of-4 ^^ something like these but a different brand, think X Acto made mine.
SCRWDRVR Posted February 24, 2020 Author Posted February 24, 2020 I will definitely have to get one next buying binge, I’ll just fork out the cash and get a good one, somethings you don’t go cheap on although it looks like you can get some pretty nice ones under 10 buck... Like those fiskars, everything I have of there’s is pretty nice
afx Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 A friend of mine uses these. I might have to splurge and buy a pair.
High octane Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 1 hour ago, SCRWDRVR said: I will definitely have to get one next buying binge, I’ll just fork out the cash and get a good one, somethings you don’t go cheap on although it looks like you can get some pretty nice ones under 10 buck... Like those fiskars, everything I have of there’s is pretty nice The Zurkon brand makes good tools, as I have one and also a wire cutter too.
vintagerpm Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 1 hour ago, afx said: A friend of mine uses these. I might have to splurge and buy a pair. These are fantastic for getting really tiny parts off the sprue without damage. For larger parts/thicker cuts I use the Xuron tool in the video.
DiscoRover007 Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 I've been using nail clippers for the same purpose for years now. Works pretty well. Probably not as precise in certain situations but it works for me.
gman Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 If you have remnants of sprue on rounded parts (like wheel rims), a variety of nail clippers with different curvatures work really well to trim those flush with the edge. They work well on photo etched parts, too.
SCRWDRVR Posted February 24, 2020 Author Posted February 24, 2020 7 hours ago, afx said: A friend of mine uses these. I might have to splurge and buy a pair. Interesting, might have to save them for a future want list, splurging is right though at 20 plus whatever shipping is... 6 hours ago, High octane said: The Zurkon brand makes good tools, as I have one and also a wire cutter too. I'll keep that in mind it's always good to know who makes good stuff... 5 hours ago, DiscoRover007 said: I've been using nail clippers for the same purpose for years now. Works pretty well. Probably not as precise in certain situations but it works for me. 3 hours ago, gman said: If you have remnants of sprue on rounded parts (like wheel rims), a variety of nail clippers with different curvatures work really well to trim those flush with the edge. They work well on photo etched parts, too. Never thought of nail clippers I think I have several of those floating around...
peteski Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 (edited) 17 hours ago, afx said: A friend of mine uses these. I might have to splurge and buy a pair. I have a pair of those and similar tool from UMM USA (because I'm a "tool whore", and can't help myself). I also have very fine toothed double-edge razor saw from UMM USA. I also sometimes use a good quality cuticle trimmer (bought at a beauty supply shop), and of course several pairs of diagonal cutters. Some of those (Lindstrom brand) are very high quality, read: expensive. And yes, all those tools make my hobby more fun. Edited February 25, 2020 by peteski
gman Posted February 25, 2020 Posted February 25, 2020 9 hours ago, SCRWDRVR said: Never thought of nail clippers I think I have several of those floating around... Using a spouse's "good" set of clippers for modelling work can be hazardous to your health...ask me how I know ;).
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now