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Sprue Nippers

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  • Member since
    February 2007
Posted by mitsdude on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 12:14 AM

I picked up a pair of fine wire cutters at Fry's for like $3. I bought three. One for my electronics and two for modelling. These things work grat. Better than my offical sprue cutters

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Sunday, May 14, 2017 8:37 AM

Hi;

    The ones I mentioned are NOT for hard brass or other harder wire . They are for the softer wires used in beading .The most important thing is .The one side is ABSOLUTELY flat ! Unlike the Zuron brand , which DO have a little cup to the surface where the blades meet on the flat side .

 No , They are not expensive and if you only cut plastic with them , the cheapness of quality does NOT factor in . They keep their edge AND you can gently file down the side profile to get into even tinier spaces in the sprue to part areas .

 Just don't try to shape them with an electric machine of any type . They might get too hot and you'll mess up the temper . Hand file them thinner , and you'll not regret it . My original pair is now nine years old and still cutting super .     T.B.          P.S. If you have any doubt about the cup in the Zuron brand take a steel rule And place it side-ways on the cutter , Blades closed , and shine a flashlight from the opposite side .You'll see the cup , Really !

  • Member since
    May 2016
Posted by Raulduke on Sunday, May 14, 2017 7:49 AM

Stay away from the red handle ones squadron sells. I bought a pair just to get my purchase up to free shipping. They are of a very poor quality

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Sunday, May 14, 2017 6:11 AM

I've been using the same pair of cutters for a year and a half now and you know how much models I make in a year, too many to count!  LOL!  I've been using Tamiya's side cutter.  They are exceptional, yet I will definitely go to HL and look into if not purchase these cutters you purchased for $9.99.  Sounds like a good deal sir.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by gobobbie on Friday, May 12, 2017 1:10 PM
I picked up a pair of flush cut nippers at the dollar store. They were intended for floral wire I believe, but they are my go to for chopping sprue so I can save my xuron for regular use. Jewelry making and beading tools have some surprising uses for scale modeling. Bob Gregory Ruining one kit at a time.
  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Wyoming Michigan
Posted by ejhammer on Friday, May 12, 2017 12:06 PM
Picked up a pair today. They work really nice for cutting rigging cord too. Thanks for posting, Don.

Completed - 1/525 Round Two Lindberg repop of T2A tanker done as USS MATTAPONI, USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa Dec 1942, USS Yorktown 1/700 Trumpeter 1943. In The Yards - USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa 1945, USS ESSEX 1/700 Dragon 1944, USS ESSEX 1/700 Trumpeter 1945, USS ESSEX 1/540 Revell (vintage) 1962, USS ESSEX 1/350 Trumpeter 1942, USS ESSEX LHD-2 as commissioned, converted from USS Wasp kit Gallery Models. Plus 35 other plastic and wood ship kits.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, May 12, 2017 9:25 AM

mississippivol
From the jewelry department?
 

I believe so- the division into departments is kind of fuzzy.  It was in the beading area, which I believe is part of jewelry.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, May 12, 2017 9:23 AM

pilotjohn

Don;

Are these the ones?

 

John

 

Yup, those are the ones.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Friday, May 12, 2017 7:21 AM

Don;

  Are those the ones with the Light Orchid padded handles ? If so you got the good ones . I got two pair in the beading dept and they are truly flush cutting tools .

  As a matter of fact if you are cutting soft brass wire one side comes out so flat if you do the " Flip " when you are cutting you don't have to finish the ends to solder two parts together .

 I started buying stuff like this at HL after my landlady loaned me a pair of Groziers ( used in the  stained glass hobby )  to hold on to an odd shaped part . I now buy my tools there . The only thing I am disappointed in , is that they don't sell Hobby Sized drill sets .  T.B.      P.S. I buy all my sanding sticks and boards at Sally Beauty Supply too !

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Far Northern CA
Posted by mrmike on Thursday, May 11, 2017 10:19 PM

Good to know Don. I can always use a better, less expensive tool. We have a HL opening nearby in July - can't wait to burn those 40% coupons!

Mike

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Thursday, May 11, 2017 9:55 PM
From the jewelry department?
  • Member since
    May 2016
Posted by Raulduke on Thursday, May 11, 2017 4:27 PM

I'm pretty happy with my xurons but alway open to something new. Mike

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • From: Pennsylvania
Posted by pilotjohn on Thursday, May 11, 2017 4:19 PM

Don;

Are these the ones?

 

John

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Sprue Nippers
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, May 11, 2017 2:13 PM

Bought a pair of great sprue cutters today.  The brand name is Gadgets and Gizmos, they are called flush cutter pliers, and the model number is 292136.  They are tiny, and are the closest thing to true flush cutting that I have ever used.

I got mine today from Hobby Lobby.  Gadgets and Gizmos may be a house brand of HL, since the card of the blister pack gives HL's web URL in small print at the bottom.  They were priced at $9.99 list (before discount certificate), which I think is a good price.  They were cheaper than the cutters I had been using, but these new ones are better!

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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