Modeling tools at Dollar Tree.

missileman2000

...On both the regular and the mini pins I eliminate the fishmouth so they clamp right at the nose... 

I do that, too, with the regular-sized pins, read that tip somewhere, a while back.  I saw the excess off with a razor saw.

Here is a picture of the screwdriver set and hacksaw I bought at Dollar Tree that I mentioned above.  I have used them both and they work fine.  The frame of the saw is pretty ridgid for the tension adjusting system so it takes a fair force to get a decent tension. When cutting styrene with saw blades the styrene usually melts when sawing, and wants to stick to the blade.  I lubricate the blade with water, which reduces the melting and makes for easier sawing.

I also shopped recently for mini clothespins  and found them at Michaels- most craft stores and a few hobby shops carry them.  On both the regular and the mini pins I eliminate the fishmouth so they clamp right at the nose.  I use a power sander to sand down to the actual clamping surface.  I find the minis, about an inch long, handier and have less tension than full size pins.

disastermaster

Those cheap X acto type knives always have that useless plactic chuck. 

The set that comes in the blue plastic box?  Yeah.  I got one years ago at a show, from one of those vendors who sells closeout lots of tools, things like that.  The chuck in the Nr 11 handle lasted a couple of years, then broke at the top of the threaded shaft.  I've been looking to see if I could find a metal one to use, but the plastic ones are milled with a different number of threads. So I haven't found one yet.

The blades are OK.  But I wouldn't recommend the set.

This thread discusses a good point, though.  It's good to find tools, supplies, etc, at reasonable prices, but you have to be careful that you don't confuse frugality with cheapness.  If a thing is cheap, both in price and in quality, then over the long run, it's not an advantage to buy it, instead of buying a more expensive thing, that is well-made and will last a long time.

Those cheap X acto type knives always have that useless plactic chuck.

its great to pick up a few bargains - most of the stuff i have grabbed at similar in the UK have been good- apart from X acto type knives - they are always crap ........