Hi KIK36,
I feel your pain.... as faras the thick points connecting to the trees, this is what i do, i use a pair of regular side cutters, but i cut as far away from the part as possible, then i go back with a file or corefully with the dremel and clean it up....
My expeience with the revell kits has been hit and miss with thick sprues... some kits have them and some don't.........
As far as other kit companies, Tamiya and Fujimi make pretty much the best kits around, butthey are more money, and they don't offer the variety of american cars....
Hope this answers your question.... Feel free to email me if you have more questions!