Tool modifications

[NOBLNG]

There are already a few threads on here about which are the best sprue cutters, but that is not what this thread is about. Firstly, I have a cheapo pair that cut real nice, but the nose end is a little fat. So I ground them down a bit on my belt sander, being careful not to over heat them and take the temper out of them.

Edited October 15, 2021 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

Secondly, and the main reason for this thread…is my old pair. I have been fiddling with tailgate chains on a model and had a devil of a time holding onto small (.023”) and short (3/16”) pins. I tried three different pairs of tweezers and none would hold the pin securely enough to jam it in the hole. So I modified a set of nippers. They are not high enough quality to cut a pin, so I clamped down good and hard on a pin to purposely put a nick in the tip of the blades. Then I ground them down to make them very slender. Now I can hang onto the pin without it popping out of the tweezers into oblivion.?

Edited October 14, 2021 by NOBLNG

[bbowser]

Neat idea!  I've got a toolbox full of specialty tools for 1:1, time to start collecting / making them for scale work.

[peteski]

5 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

There are already a few threads on here about which are the best sprue cutters, but that is not what this thread is about. Firstly, I have a cheapo pair that cut real nice, but the nose end is a little fat. So I ground them down a bit on my belt sander, being careful not to over heat them and take the temper out of them.

 

First of all, what you have there is *NOT* a true "sprue cuter".  It is a pair of flush-cutting diagonal cutters (aka. dikes).  IMO those are way too large to deal with most (but some very large) plastic gates.  Sprue cutters are smaller, more precise tools.   Sure, you can modify your cutter (grind down jaws, etc.) but why bother when you can get the proper tools which work really well.

Here is what is called a "sprue cutter"

It is has a shape of a pair of tweezers, but the end is modified to  serve as a precision flush cutter that fits in the tight space between the part and the runner it is attached to.  Thsi type of tool allows you to precisely control the pressure, and the shape of the jaws minimizes and the ripping force, so the cut is clean.

This type of sprue cutter is not expensive, and well worth the price regardless of how much they cost.  Since styrene is very soft, and the tool is only used for cutting  styrene, they jaws will stay sharp for very long time.  These are available from several sources, inducing Micro-Mark, UMM-USA, many online hobby shops, and eBay.  I would stay away from the really inexpensive versions as the jaws night not be ground accurately.

I also have a pair of high quality cuticle trimmers which I also use to cut the parts off the runners.  I mentioned those in the other hread about the sprue cutters. I highly recommend ditching the dikes, and using the proper tool for the job.

 

[NOBLNG]

7 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

There are already a few threads on here about which are the best sprue cutters, but that is not what this thread is about. 

Seemed clear to me? I fixed the title if that’s better?

Edited October 15, 2021 by NOBLNG

[R. Thorne]

Excellent thinking, Greg.  For those too “challenged”for this procedure, Dspaie offers bladeless pliars for this application.