Sprue cutters. How long do they last?

I've got a pair of Tamiya cutters I've been using for 10 or so years, that still seem as sharp as ever. As hard as styrene is on thinner things like X-acto and single-edge razor blades, it makes me wonder how they've held up so well...but as long as they keep working, I'm happy.

Just as an aside, I've had great luck with Tamiya-brand tools. The quality seems excellent across the board.

BTW, as far as sharpening goes, nearly any blade can be re-sharpened...but if they've gone so quickly, I'd assume that either the metal or the hardening/tempering -- or both -- are bad, so resharpening is only a short-term solution at best.

I'm partial to my trusty Xuron 410As.  That being said, I'm not really able to gauge how long they last if used strictly for modeling.  I use a set of 410As at work every day too.  I cut everything from plastic ty-raps to aluminum wire with them, and sometimes things that are way too much for them to be expected to handle (like RG-400 coaxial cable with a solid center conductor and double shielding).  Even with being used as my go-to cutting workhorse, I get about 2 years out of a set, with them still being quite capable at the end of that 2 years.  When I buy a replacement, the fresh, new replacement goes into the modeling toolbox, and the one already in my modeling toolbox comes to work with me.  Best $13.00 I think I have ever spent on a sprue cutter...and, incidentally, they do an amazing job cutting the ends off of plastic ty-raps on aircraft nice and flush so they don't wait in a wire bundle to slice the next guy's hands open when he works on the plane.

My opinion on sharpening is the same as Greg's, with the added statement that I often like to go with the old saying "time is money" and am also very conscious of the law of diminishing returns.

I've got a pair of hardware store side nippers that's over 30 years old. Still cuts clean as when I bought it brand new. I did buy a pair of hobby nippers as a spare for tight spots. That one I've had for 10 plus years. If you keep them clean, they'll last you a long time.

I've been wanting a pair of nippers called Godhand. Very expensive but boy, I do want a pair. LOL!!

Hello!

Please note that you can buy excellent side cutters in the electronics supply shops. Those are made to cut at least copper wire. In comparison styrene is as soft as butter, so don't cut piano wire with your sprue cutters and they should last for a really long time. Some expensive cutters are even made to cut piano wire - styrene is nothing to them, but they are sometimes sharpened at much wider angle - this might lead to the parts to be cut out being distorted.

Cutters I use have one flat and one angled side. This is useful for cutting very close to the part, leaving close to nothing for being sanded off. Grinding the cutters on that flat side would effectively sharpen the blades.

Thanks for reading and have a nice day

Paweł

I bought a pair of DSPIAE single edge cutters , 3 years ago , they're like cutting through butter , I also have an old $5 pair I use for the thick sprues . 

it's also how you use them can have an effecton them , put them as far into the jaws as possible , helps protect the points on them

So its clearly obvious a good pair will last.  Time to take a closer look at how I use these cutters.  Thanks all.  

I have used sprue cutters in the past for cutting PE too.  That seems to be a bad idea.  While much of the blades are still sharp, there are now little nicks in the blade.  On my latest build I am resorting to an X-acto knive.  Nice to be able to insert new blades.  To maintain the life of the blade as long as possible I put the large 45 degree blade in my large handle.  I find using a #11 blade for PE uses up blades pretty quick.  I find the large 45 degree blade is lasting a lot longer.  The sprue cutter will remain a sprue cutter!

My . I use a good old pair of dollar store toe nail cutters. Can't remember when I bought them it's been so long. Does a fine job. Only takes a quick swipe or two of extra-fine sandpaper to touch up the spot.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

fox

My . I use a good old pair of dollar store toe nail cutters. Can't remember when I bought them it's been so long. Does a fine job. Only takes a quick swipe or two of extra-fine sandpaper to touch up the spot.

Jim Stay Safe.

Same here but fingernail clippers instead.

Been doing that since I was 6 or 7.

rocketman2000

I find using a #11 blade for PE uses up blades pretty quick.  I find the large 45 degree blade is lasting a lot longer.  The sprue cutter will remain a sprue cutter!

Good old-fashioned single-edge razor blades do well for cutting PE. They'll go through pretty much everything but the thickest steel (if anyone still does those).

I use a #12 Xacto blade for photo etch.  Lets you do more of a rolling/chopping action for clean cuts and lower blade wear.

Keep in mind there is a tradeoff in blade thickness for sprue cutters.  The blades need to be thin to get in close to part, but the thinner the blade the weaker it is.  I guess the ideal thing is to have both a wide strong set, and a thinner set used only for styrene sprue nipping.  I have the wide, strong set but broke a thin blade one last weak.  When I find a good one it will only be used on styrene sprues

I just changed from some Hobby Lobby cutters of varioius sizes and they got the job done, but not as neatly as I would like. So, I bought a pair of Tamiya sprue cutters. I will never go back now, HUGE improvement to ease and cleaness of the cuts. Just don't cut wire with them.

BK

About Ten years ago;

      I found myself in the same situation. I went to good ole Hobby Lobby and bought a pair or their lavender handled jewelry sidecutters. Still going strong. Also many can be sharpened. Just be careful doing it! 

      For P.E. I use a dedicated pair of jewelry Sidecutters I got at a jewelry Show. Ten years and sharp as ever! 

fox

My 2 cents. I use a good old pair of dollar store toe nail cutters. Can't remember when I bought them it's been so long. Does a fine job. Only takes a quick swipe or two of extra-fine sandpaper to touch up the spot.

Jim

Stay Safe.

disastermaster

Same here but fingernail clippers instead.

Been doing that since I was 6 or 7. 

Yep, old-school!  Using nail clippers or a cuticle cutter goes waaaaay back!

Having said that, I do have an old Xuron cutter, that I picked up from a tool liquidator at a wood-working show, of all places.  "Micro-Shear 170 II".  I only use it on styrene sprue, not anything else; I have wire cutters for cutting wire.  I give the blades a pass on a whetstone occasionally.

I have an old pair of Xuron cutters. They have been demoted to cutting wire. My Tamyia cutters are the Cat's meow for cutting parts from frets.

Alot longer if you don't cut music wire with them!