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Cheaper Microbrushes

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  • Member since
    September 2005
Cheaper Microbrushes
Posted by TB6088 on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 11:41 AM

I use ultra-fine microbrushes to apply glues of all types--- found them to work better than toothpicks or even the TnF for most applications.  Sometimes I use my hobby knife to trim the microbrush tips so the bristles are only along one edge for even finer work. So, I've been buying these for several years from Micromark at around $10.00 for 100, and I've seen packs of 10 in hobby stores for as much as $2.95.  Well, I happened to google microbrushes and came up with several different companies that make them, as well as e-bay links to several good buys.  They are generally sold as dental instruments.  I ended up getting 800 for less than one-third the cost of what I had been paying, and there are probably even better deals out there.  Not only that, the microbrushes I received were even finer than the ultra-fine microbrushes I had been purchasing from Micromark.  Since I use a lot of these, I'm very pleased to find this alternative.  Just thought I'd pass it along in case there are other like me who have been paying too much for this valuable modeling tool.

Tom

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 12:14 PM

Nice! Got a link?

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 1:05 PM

You have to remember that a lot of the tools and products we use for scale modeling are a cross over, not the primary reason for their existence. Often when you look at the market for which they were primarily developed you can find them cheaper...as well as more expensive.

In regards to micro brushes...not all are created equal. You get what you pay for. Just be careful. You can find great deals on quality ones.

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

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

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 9:10 AM

I use toothpicks for microbrushes- the round cross-section, pointed-at-both-ends kind.  I use them for both paint and glue.  For glue I put a daub of ca gel on a piece of card stock, then pick it up and apply it with the end of the toothpick.  For paint, I shake the bottle well, then put the bottle cap down on the bench upside down.  There will be a layer of paint in the top. I dip the toothpick in that paint layer and it puts on just enough paint on the toothpick to make really small dots.  A fine line is a line of overlapping dots.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2005
Posted by TB6088 on Thursday, December 8, 2011 12:55 AM

I hear you about the quality, but the ones I received actually seem to be superior to the ones I was getting from Micromark.  I'm pleased.

Tom

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Windy city, US
Posted by keilau on Friday, December 9, 2011 12:59 PM

HawkeyeHobbies

In regards to micro brushes...not all are created equal. You get what you pay for. Just be careful. You can find great deals on quality ones.

Gerald, Link please!

TB6088

I hear you about the quality, but the ones I received actually seem to be superior to the ones I was getting from Micromark.  I'm pleased.

Tom

Tom, link please!

  • Member since
    September 2005
Posted by TB6088 on Saturday, December 10, 2011 4:13 PM

 

Here's the link I went to.  There were several options depending on the mix of sizes.  Hope I pasted this correctly.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/800-Micro-Applicator-Microapplicators-Microbrush-/170463111242

Tom

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Illinois
Posted by wjbwjb29 on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 7:52 AM

What about asking your dentist for his used ones.

Ah Yuck

just kidding

Bill

On the Bench:   Trumperter Tsesarevich on deck Glencoe USS Oregon

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