Photo Etch parts

[porschercr]

Need some advice on how to remove the little tabs off photo etch parts.

Thanks.

[gman]

You can use curved precision scissors, or a sprue cutter. On some shapes, a nail clipper will do the job as well.

[blunc]

careful sanding is sometimes needed.

a piece of sandpaper in the bottom of a shallow bowl or cottage cheese/sour cream container may help keep the etch piece contained if/when it slips from your tweezers.

[gman]

You can also attach the part to a larger piece of masking tape with the tab to be removed near the edge- use the tape as a handle, and as something to stiffen the thin photo etched part while trimming or filing/sanding.

[SfanGoch]

A flat sharpening steel is best for removing tabs and burrs from photo etch parts. Much faster and better than using sand paper. Hold the part with tweezers and either rub the steel on the protrusion or place the steel on your work table and use the tweezers to move the part along the surface.

[porschercr]

Thank you.