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Neat rigging tool

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Neat rigging tool
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, May 5, 2012 10:09 AM

Several years ago I had a knee replacement and they sewed up the incisions with real thread, the kind that does not dissolve by itself.  So a nurse was pulling the threads, which she cut at each stitch with some really neat scissors.  They had a very small set of blades, and a curved/hooked end like miniature scimitars.  I was remarking on how neat the scissors were, and she said, hey, they are disposable, "we throw them away after use.  Would you like them?"  She cleaned them off and gave them to me. I have used them for years and they are still very sharp.  So if you are a ship modeler and you ever have those kind of stitches that need to be removed (or someone in your family does), see if you can get the scissors.  Since they are disposable maybe they would not be that expensive at a medical supply place, but since they last so long I have never tried to buy a pair.

Because the cutting end is so small I can get very close to the knot or termination, and can cut as close as if I use a #11 blade, without the risk of cutting the wrong line.  The hook allows me to cut the correct line.

I was thinking as I rig the Olympia how indispensible this rigging tool is. I'd hate to have to go back to cutting the lines with the X-acto knife.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: Denver, Colorado
Posted by waynec on Saturday, May 5, 2012 11:05 PM
i will check them out. i use fly tying spring loaded scissors for rigging. i have been using ez-line ho model rr lines for rigging my 1/35 and 1/72 stuff. probably use n-gauge for 1/350 stuff. granted it's a bit small for the scale but the regular rigging thread tends to bend the plastic masts.

Никто не Забыт    (No one is Forgotten)
Ничто не Забыто  (Nothing is Forgotten)

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Seattle, Colorado
Posted by onyxman on Monday, May 7, 2012 11:45 AM

That sounds like something I need.  Thanks, Don.

 

Fred

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Lakewood, CO
Posted by kenjitak on Monday, May 7, 2012 5:41 PM

Don,

Do you have a brand name or a photo? I looked at Amazon and there was quite a range with prices from $1.13 to over $100! I'd almost try the cheap ones but if you know which brand you have I'd like to take advantage of your experience.

Ken

Ken

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 9:08 AM

kenjitak

Don,

Do you have a brand name or a photo? I looked at Amazon and there was quite a range with prices from $1.13 to over $100! I'd almost try the cheap ones but if you know which brand you have I'd like to take advantage of your experience.

Ken

I can take a picture easily enough- will try to get one up in a day or two.  I'll look for a brand but being a disposable product it may not be embossed on the product.  For a quick description of it until I get the photo up, the pair is about four inches long, most of it except for the blades (tiny, maybe three quarters of an inch long), is black plastic.  Being disposable I can't believe they are too expensive, and they last forever- I've had my pair for about eight years now.  The blades are some really hard steel that stays very sharp.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Marysville, WA
Posted by David_K on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 10:13 AM

Hey Don-

Are these the scissors you use?  I found some on Amazon with Black plastic handles....

http://www.amazon.com/Dukal-Sterile-Suture-Removal-Kit/dp/B002TMDL8A/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_8

Only 6 bucks, and free shipping w/ prime....

David

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     _!__!__!_         
     (_D_P_K_)
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Current Project:  Imai/ERTL Spanish Galleon #2

Recently Finished: Revell 1/96 Cutty Sark

Next Up:  ???

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 3:56 PM

David_K

Hey Don-

Are these the scissors you use?  I found some on Amazon with Black plastic handles....

http://www.amazon.com/Dukal-Sterile-Suture-Removal-Kit/dp/B002TMDL8A/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_8

Only 6 bucks, and free shipping w/ prime....

David

Sure looks a lot like them.  Here is a pic of mine that I just took.  Cannot find a brand, but they sure look the same.  If you get stitches in the near future, try to talk the nurse or doctor out of a pair.  Other than that, that seems like a fair price.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Marysville, WA
Posted by David_K on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 4:15 PM

I see....similar, but not identical....I ordered a pair anyway, and a puck of beeswax....I've been having trouble with the finer thread that came with the Vasa....if I put any tension on it and then release, it tangles up on itself, I'm hoping a little wax will help *smooth* things out.

I have a decent pair of Fiskars Micro-Something scissors for trimming, but I like the idea of a suture scissors for getting up close to the knots, etc....hopefully the ones I ordered will work well.....

        _~
     _~ )_)_~
     )_))_))_)
     _!__!__!_         
     (_D_P_K_)
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~~~~~~

Current Project:  Imai/ERTL Spanish Galleon #2

Recently Finished: Revell 1/96 Cutty Sark

Next Up:  ???

 

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Marysville, WA
Posted by David_K on Sunday, May 13, 2012 9:54 AM

For anyone who saw my link and may have been considering buying the suture removers:  Don't bother.

They are similar in shape (even the *blades* have that curved style), but they are not sharpened.  Not even edged.  Totally blunt.  I'm not sure what could be cut with them, but certainly not thread, or wire.

David

        _~
     _~ )_)_~
     )_))_))_)
     _!__!__!_         
     (_D_P_K_)
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~~~~~~

Current Project:  Imai/ERTL Spanish Galleon #2

Recently Finished: Revell 1/96 Cutty Sark

Next Up:  ???

 

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