Good scribing tool?

[Sidney Schwartz]

I bought the Tamiya scribing tool and don't care for it at all. It's a "chisel" type and I found it very difficult to get a decent line with it. A while back I had a scriber with a round tip and would like to get another like it. Can someone recommend one that they've used and like? Thanks.

 

[tbill]

I have this one, works well for me , hopefully the picture will be good enough.

 

[Dpate]

57 minutes ago, Sidney Schwartz said:

I bought the Tamiya scribing tool and don't care for it at all. It's a "chisel" type and I found it very difficult to get a decent line with it. A while back I had a scriber with a round tip and would like to get another like it. Can someone recommend one that they've used and like? Thanks.

 

You bought the wrong tamiya tool, but there are tons of different scribing tools on the market.  The one i use is by tamiya, but you'll pay about $25-$30 for it in the states.  The one is the pic is a 0.2mm engraving tool for scribing.  HiQparts has a few from 0.04mm and up as well. 

Edited February 11, 2023 by Dpate

[KWT]

I haven't used many at all, but I love this thing

[Joe Nunes]

I use one like that shown in tbill's post. I also use various dental cleaning tools that I obtained for free from my dentist. However, the best scribing tool for me is to use the back edge of a well worn #11 X-ACTO blade, preferably one that the point on the blade has either broken off or worn down. ?

Joe

Edit:  added photos 

 

Edited February 11, 2023 by Joe Nunes

[NOBLNG]

12 hours ago, Sidney Schwartz said:

I bought the Tamiya scribing tool and don't care for it at all. It's a "chisel" type and I found it very difficult to get a decent line with it. A while back I had a scriber with a round tip and would like to get another like it. Can someone recommend one that they've used and like? Thanks.

 

I just picked up one of those Tamiya scribers yesterday. I am going to return it though because I don’t think it’s much different than my cheap Trumpeter scriber. The more expensive ones like Dusty shows look good but very pricey.? I will trade the Tamiya one in for this one. It is still expensive, but like the better Tamiya, it will do a flat bottom groove.

I have also used the butt end of a #80 drill bit in a pin vise and it works very well….but the more tools the better.?

[NOBLNG]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

I just picked up one of those Tamiya scribers yesterday. I am going to return it though because I don’t think it’s much different than my cheap Trumpeter scriber.

Actually, I think I will trade it in on something else.? I just made these scribers from some hobby blades by grinding the profile on my bench grinder. A little smoothing with a diamond file and they do a real nice square groove. The one on the right I thinned down to .012” (.3mm) from .020” (.5mm).

 

Edited February 11, 2023 by NOBLNG
Change pic.

[Fat Brian]

I agree on the dental scraper, I even took a file to the end of mine and thinned it a bit closer to a panel line. I also made a scriber from a wooden dowel that I drilled a piece of guitar string into.

[Dpate]

6 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

I just picked up one of those Tamiya scribers yesterday. I am going to return it though because I don’t think it’s much different than my cheap Trumpeter scriber. The more expensive ones like Dusty shows look good but very pricey.? I will trade the Tamiya one in for this one. It is still expensive, but like the better Tamiya, it will do a flat bottom groove.

I have also used the butt end of a #80 drill bit in a pin vise and it works very well….but the more tools the better.?

Yeah there expensive in the states for some weird reason.  There cheap on plazajapan and that's where i get a lot of my tools from when i do a big order.  Those HiQparts scribers are $16 on there, and I'm gonna get there smaller size ones as well. It's not even just there tools too it's there tape and cotton swabs etc just very expensive in the states.  $2 pack of tape is bout $6 in the state, $2 pack of swabs bout $5-$6, and list goes on and on. I only paid bout $20 for mine with the holder which would of cost me bout $40 in the states.  I just LOVE japan made products great quality stuff. 

Edited February 11, 2023 by Dpate

[Joe Nunes]

6 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

I agree on the dental scraper, I even took a file to the end of mine and thinned it a bit closer to a panel line. I also made a scriber from a wooden dowel that I drilled a piece of guitar string into.

What string did you use for your scriber and how long does the string protrude from the dowel end?  Thanks. 

Joe

Edited February 11, 2023 by Joe Nunes

[Sidney Schwartz]

Lots of creative people here. ? I've seen a few on Amazon that look like they might work better for me.

 

[Curt]

13 hours ago, KWT said:

I haven't used many at all, but I love this thing

Ditto!  I bought this one after Bill Geary recommended it.  I am very happy with it!

[Fat Brian]

1 hour ago, Joe Nunes said:

What string did you use for your scriber and how long does the string protrude from the dowel end?  Thanks. 

Joe

I used the core wire from the largest wound string so it's super hard. It sticks out about 3mm, far enough to go through a body.

[Joe Nunes]

1 minute ago, Fat Brian said:

I used the core wire from the largest wound string so it's super hard. It sticks out about 3mm, far enough to go through a body.

The large E string; thanks, I will pull out one of those used strings and take a look at making up the scriber for use in my shop. Thanks for the quick response!  ?

Joe

[Fat Brian]

4 hours ago, Joe Nunes said:

The large E string; thanks, I will pull out one of those used strings and take a look at making up the scriber for use in my shop. Thanks for the quick response!  ?

Joe

No problem, I love no buck tools.

[peteski]

12 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

No problem, I love no buck tools.

Funny, I actually enjoy spending money on good quality tools which work really well, and which will last me for a very long time. I would say that I like spending money on those tools even better than spending money on buying kits.

[Fat Brian]

36 minutes ago, peteski said:

Funny, I actually enjoy spending money on good quality tools which work really well, and which will last me for a very long time. I would say that I like spending money on those tools even better than spending money on buying kits.

Don't get me wrong, I love a tool that does a good job, especially when it's a good value too. The MCG photoetch saws are some of the best money I've ever spent on a modeling tool. 

[ctruss53]

I use a round pointy thing like you refer to in your original post.  I got it from USA Gundam Store. I really like it.