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Sprue cuter issue?

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  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Sunday, May 10, 2009 10:45 AM
 Brass_Nautilus wrote:

Watch out for xuron and the likes of cheap diagonal cutters. Tips are generally offset and impossible to obtain a clean cut with them. 

The slightly offset tips* are designed that way for a reason. Like a scissors the jaws must pass each other slightly to cut cleanly...versus clamping and crushing the part away. Xuron has been respected in this industry for decades for their quality tools. 

If you're happy with what your using that's great, but don't trash what you haven't tried yourself, namely the 2175ET. The new Pro Sprue Cutter is an improvement on the original cutters which have been around for as long as I can remember...thousands of modelers have been using them for years. Those who are now using the new 2175ET will tell you that they are much better than the originals...why because a modeler (myself) took on the task to make a good product better. 

There must be something to this because sales surged after the hands on reviews began being published. It wasn't because of a catch phrase or gimmick, it was respected modelers endorsing the product as one that delivers in performance.

*Xuron refers to this as Micro Shear Technology.

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    March 2009
Posted by Brass_Nautilus on Sunday, May 10, 2009 9:11 AM

Tsunoda diagonal cutters 

 

Watch out for xuron and the likes of cheap diagonal cutters. Tips are generally offset and impossible to obtain a clean cut with them. 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: South Central Wisconsin
Posted by Daywalker on Saturday, May 9, 2009 4:02 PM
 ludwig113 wrote:

i'd just like to say how good these sprue cutters are.

i got mine this week and having used them for a couple of days i can say there worth the money.

Sign - Ditto [#ditto] I got mine from Gerald in March, and am quite chuffed about them myself. Approve [^]

Frank 

 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: london-uk
Posted by ludwig113 on Saturday, May 9, 2009 2:07 PM
 HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

Get yourself a pair of the new Xuron 2175ET Professional Sprue Cutters. They are now being shipped to distributors and dealers. Sprue Brothers is accepting preorders. I also have some coming to add to my catalog. I've had the opportunity to read the reviews being written by several sources in the hobby...haven't read a bad one yet. Does my ego good! Make a Toast [#toast]

 

 

 

 

i'd just like to say how good these sprue cutters are.

i got mine this week and having used them for a couple of days i can say there worth the money.

thanks to gerald for the quick postage to the UK.

 

cheers paul

 

JML
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Posted by JML on Monday, February 16, 2009 9:22 PM

Hakko's CHP flush cutters are superb, and inexpensive (they go for about $10 or so).  They're superior, IMHO, to the earlier Xuron cutters, on plastic.  Hakko is the US importer (they sell soldering irons) and the CHP tools are made in Italy.  Several sizes, for metal wire and now they have a model specifically made for plastic, too, the model TR-25-B.  And they have wonderful handles, too.  I have two sizes of the earlier cutters, the TR-25 and a smaller one with a thinner smaller head for tight clearance work.

Flush cutters have edges that match up, while bypass cutters (the Xuron are extremely fine bypass cutters) work differently.  The bypass cutter edges literally don't match, but pass by each other.  The edges on the latter last longer because they don't touch each other.  Each type leaves a different result on the part you cut, and it depends on the material being cut.  While the Xuron cut very close, they do leave a slightly raised square stub, and the flush cutters leave, if anything, a pointed stub.  Now these stubs are extremely small, and on most plastic the flush cutter, IMHO, leaves less or nothing to trim.  These remnant stubs are less prominent or virtually invisible to the naked eye if the cutter edge is very acute; I cannot feel any remnant when I use the CHP cutters, but I can when I use the Xuron.  Plastic is much softer than metal, so cutters with more acute edges are preferred on plastic.  The more acute the edge, however, the shorter is the edge's lifespan.

Any of these cannot really be resharpened when they get dull, but at $10-20 a tool, they're easily and cheaply replaced. 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Monday, February 16, 2009 1:26 PM
 MikeV wrote:

These are the despruing tweezer that I use for smaller parts:

I have several of these of these too but the compression of the part before the slicing is complete is still pretty high. I prefer them for nibbing away any sprue tags left after the part has been removed from the sprue or best yet for dressing my paint brushes of errant and damaged hairs.

 

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Monday, February 16, 2009 11:54 AM

I haven't tried the new Xuron's but these two sets from Micro-Mark have always worked great for me although the cam action cutters are pricey:

These are the despruing tweezer that I use for smaller parts:

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Sunday, February 15, 2009 10:51 PM

 Bish wrote:
HawkeyeHobbies Do you have any idea when those new cuters will be reaching this side of the Atlantic.

They are available...it all depends when the distributor and the stockists get off their duffs and place their order with Xuron. It doesn't take long for a package of them to travel via Air Mail to reach the side of the puddle.

Email me and I can get you hooked up.

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Piscataway,NJ
Posted by jtrace214 on Sunday, February 15, 2009 5:12 PM

I just got a pair and love them very sharp nice cuts on the sprue.I have another pair of Xurons that gotta be 10 years old that are just getting dull I love the design of these so much better.Plus they come with a small rubber protector for the blades witch is nice. the pliers feel better than the expensive Snap On tools  I use for working on cars..

 

John

the pic to the left is my weekend condo lol

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by namrednef on Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:47 AM

 

No hijack intended here....but I often learn from HH's advice about tools and tips.

I own the older set of the Xurons (just 2 years old and working fine)....but will be getting the 'new' one eventually.

 I, too cut a bit away from the part and use sanding sticks et al, to trim the part correctly.

As a 'tin knocker'.....sheetmetal worker..... I know how tools can fatigue and not perform as new.

Things wear....even when steel is cutting plastic.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Saturday, February 14, 2009 7:45 AM
HawkeyeHobbies Do you have any idea when those new cuters will be reaching this side of the Atlantic.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Posted by hkshooter on Friday, February 13, 2009 10:49 PM

I second the Tamiya cutter for flush cutting. Most of the time one needs not even trim the part. BUT....

Mine are shot. Only lasted about 50 models. I religiously only cut sprue gates with them, not even plain sprue. No wire either. I have a second pair of side cutters I use for sprue and wire. For $22 they should have lasted longer. And I never cared for the rather fat tip. Made it hard to get to many parts and I had to cut the tree apart to access the part properly.

The new Xuron cutter works much better. Longer and finer tip gets into those rediculous Dragon sprues. Sharp as can be. Bigger for better grip and control. If I had a complaint it would be that they don't flush cut. As it is, I cut then trim now. I'll take all the benefits over the flush cut thing any day.

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Maryland
Posted by usmc1371 on Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:53 PM
 yardbird78 wrote:

Using any sprue cutting pliers causes some distortion of the plastic as it squeezes/slices through the pour stub.  If you try to cut right up against the finish part, this distortion can extend into that part.  I always cut about 1/16 inch away and then trim the remaining tiny stub with a SHARP X-Acto blade.

Darwin, O.F.  Alien [alien]

I use Tamiya's Side Cutter for Plastic.  I can cut right up next to the part with no distortion.  Here's the one I use: http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=74001

-Jesse

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:21 PM
You'll find that these SSC don't.

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: 40 klicks east of the Gateway
Posted by yardbird78 on Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:14 PM

Using any sprue cutting pliers causes some distortion of the plastic as it squeezes/slices through the pour stub.  If you try to cut right up against the finish part, this distortion can extend into that part.  I always cut about 1/16 inch away and then trim the remaining tiny stub with a SHARP X-Acto blade.

Darwin, O.F.  Alien [alien]

 ,,

The B-52 and me, we have grown old, gray and overweight together.

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: S.W. Missouri
Posted by Pvt Mutt on Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:26 AM

As soon as Sprue Bros sent me a in stock notice I ordered mine and have been useing them to build the DML Early Jagdpanther. 

They are about a 1/3rd larger than my older pair. I love the sharper longer reach of the point,it sure makes it easier to nip off those smaller injection nibs.

I still find myself picking up the older pair maybe from habit or it's the larger size of the new set that i'm just not use to. The jury is still out as to weather they cut closer and smoother than my older pair.

Always good to get a new hobby tool                                                                                  Tony the Mutt

Shoot Low Boys They're Ridin Ponys

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 1:35 PM
 Bobs Buckles wrote:

My ET's arrived today. All I can say  is WOW! Nice looking tool. I will put it through its paces tomorrow.

Bob Smile [:)]

Write and send me a review...I will forward it along to Xuron.

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: London
Posted by Bobs Buckles on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 1:19 PM

My ET's arrived today. All I can say  is WOW! Nice looking tool. I will put it through its paces tomorrow.

Bob Smile [:)]

every man dies, but not every man truly lives... Bobs Buckles Website
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Monday, February 9, 2009 7:53 PM
Then I guess Gordon better reorder! WOW that 25 went fast!

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Goffstown, NH
Posted by New Hampshire on Monday, February 9, 2009 6:56 PM

Just placed my order with Sprue Brothers!  Got 1 of the last 2 pairs currently in stock!

Brian

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: London
Posted by Bobs Buckles on Monday, February 9, 2009 5:44 AM

Those good guys at Sprue Brothers have dispatched my pair of ET's. I can't wait to get my sweaty mits on them.

Bob :-)

every man dies, but not every man truly lives... Bobs Buckles Website
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Sunday, February 8, 2009 6:17 PM

 cardshark_14 wrote:
Hey Gerald,

What's the difference between the 2175A/B/F and the new 2175ET?  Xuron's website doesn't show the ET, and the place I'd order from doesn't have the new ET, but has a 2175A.  Any ideas?

Thanks!

Cheers,
Alex

First...Drum roll please....This is my 2000th post! Make a Toast [#toast]

The A/B/F are for cutting metals...such as track and wire. They have a much "thicker" jaw, not made for delicate work but more for brute strength...like cutting track clean and square. Xuron assigned the model number based on the raw "frame" being used for the finished product. In this case they used the same raw frame as the other 2175 family members, but performed a very different grinding and machining process to get the end result. This raw component commonality helps reduce production costs. 

Our next project will be a bit more aggresive, something totally new. Thus it will have significant development costs too, so the price will be slightly higher. Can't tell you what it is yet...if I did I'd have to Blindfold [X-)] and Disapprove [V] it isn't pretty. Wink [;)]

Xuron is working on a new and updated website. I'll mention that people are looking for information on the new cutter at their site...maybe we can get a page up specifically for it in the interim.

 

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Tucson
Posted by cardshark_14 on Sunday, February 8, 2009 2:20 PM
Hey Gerald,

What's the difference between the 2175A/B/F and the new 2175ET?  Xuron's website doesn't show the ET, and the place I'd order from doesn't have the new ET, but has a 2175A.  Any ideas?

Thanks!

Cheers,
Alex
Never trust anyone who refuses to drink domestic beer, laugh at the Three Stooges, or crank Back In Black.
  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Goffstown, NH
Posted by New Hampshire on Sunday, February 8, 2009 12:33 PM

Well, that settles it.  A new pair it is.  Those Xurons look great!  Looking closer at the pair I have now it seems like the rivet has loosened or was not staked properly to begin with and allows the jaws to move ever so slightly.  So into the junk bin they go.....

Brian

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Sunday, February 8, 2009 9:06 AM

It sounds to me like you need to replace them. Model Expo has a sale right now with sprue cutters for $1.99.

EDIT: Oops, didn't see the posts above. Smile [:)]

Regards,

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Piscataway,NJ
Posted by jtrace214 on Sunday, February 8, 2009 9:03 AM

Gerald, can you let me know when you get them in stock. I would rather give you the money than another company.

Thanks,John

the pic to the left is my weekend condo lol

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Sunday, February 8, 2009 8:45 AM

Get yourself a pair of the new Xuron 2175ET Professional Sprue Cutters. They are now being shipped to distributors and dealers. Sprue Brothers is accepting preorders. I also have some coming to add to my catalog. I've had the opportunity to read the reviews being written by several sources in the hobby...haven't read a bad one yet. Does my ego good! Make a Toast [#toast]

 

 

 

 

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Goffstown, NH
Sprue cuter issue?
Posted by New Hampshire on Sunday, February 8, 2009 7:31 AM

The pair of sprue cutters I have are these red handled ones sold under the Squadron brand name.  Yesterday I noticed something.  Now, I have been getting less than spectacular cuts from the sprue cutters, but being new to using sprue cutters I just assumed it was just normal....I mean to say it is still produces a better cut than tearing it off the tree obviously (which I would never do), and is easier than using an xacto blade, but still the cut is not too great.  Well, I noticed yesterday that the cutting jaws do not sit flush to each other.  What I mean is, when you squeeze the handles to close the jaws you can see and feel where one side sits lower than the other.  It is obviously noticable and perhaps a couple to few thousands of an inch of offset there.  Could this be the cause of the less than desireably cuts?  If so what are a good reccomendation for replacements?  I hear good things about Xuron, and in the Armor section Doog mentioned MicroMark tweezer nippers.  Or do I even need to replace the sprue cutters at all? 

Brian

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