Sprue cutters

Just got word that the new cutters will be available in late January (maybe sooner). MSRP is.....$22.95. The part number is: 2175ET

I should have my first sample in just a couple of days...to do the photography and create the promotional materials for them. I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

Review samples are being sent next week to several of the "main stream" review resources... modeling magazines mostly. 

I updated this post to now include the part number. 

whitebiker wrote:

HawkeyeHobbies wrote: I'm working with Xuron to design and develop a new "sprue cutter", We are at the third prototype testing stage. Hopefully we'll be able to wrap this project up and get the preproduction units out for field review, then into retailers to sell them. Want to really test them?  Give one to an amatuer........................LIKE ME!

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

I'm working with Xuron to design and develop a new "sprue cutter", We are at the third prototype testing stage. Hopefully we'll be able to wrap this project up and get the preproduction units out for field review, then into retailers to sell them.

Want to really test them?  Give one to an amatuer........................LIKE ME!

Hawk,

Looks like we're getting the same rain/snow mix as you guys are, and yeah North Dakota is in for it.  After some high 60s/low 70s early this week the upper Midwest is about to pay for it, I think.

Harv

All of the forums seem to be slow. With the weather transitioning things should pickup soon. We are getting rain with snow tomorrow...it just has to snow when I'm on the road to go to Trainfest in Milwaukee. The western Dakotas are getting pounded...hope this isn't a precursor of things to come. 

   Great news Gerald!! Sounds like we may get to see them soon, I hope........Harv

    PS.... Is it just me, or is this site slower than molasis in Feb.??

While at iHobby the cutters were well received and the decision to go forward was made. I have a conference call next week to cover the final details. Production will start soon and review samples will be making their way to the various reviewer resources...FSM, IPMS etc. I will get samples for use in creating some of the promotional materials. You should see them at most retailers in the first quarter of 2009.

I'm pumped about this project...it has given me the same sense of gratification as did the very first award I received as a very novice modeler at a contest.

I've already started designing yet another tool, something much different for another company.

hkshooter wrote:

Hawkeye, what's the latest on those new cutters? I'm ready for a new pair, pronto!

My review of the latest prototypes is in the "mail" and a decision by Xuron should be forthcoming soon. I will keep you all advised. I hope they'll be available for fondling at iHobby so dealers can place orders.

I must say I agree with the assessment that modelling tools are drastically overpriced.  Evidence of this can be found in Hawkeye's survey earlier, which had as its *lowest* price-point "under $20".  Nuts. 

Until recently I used a small pair of electronic side-cutters and they worked splendidly for years; since the spring mechanism on them broke I got a cheap pair of Squadron cutters for well under ten bucks.  Warranty or not (I'm quite sure the warranty would be worthless anyway--remember Testors/Aztek's "lifetime" warranty on those cheap plastic airbrushes?)--I'm NOT paying that kind of money for tools that work well for years at a fraction of the price.  

Make me something that absolutely EVERYBODY just LOVES to bits and can't live without, actually improves modeling in irreplaceable ways and costs "under $20"--I'll *consider* the offer.  Try to sell me a little boutique-ie overpriced tool that does a 5% better job than my present device?  Forget about it.

While I used to use scalpels to cut sprue, I also have been using electronic-type dykes lately and seem to work OK, as I think any tool that one might develop still is going to need some filing and sanding after de-sprueing(sp?). So I would not pay much for a specialized tool, got enough of them already! 

I use electronic-type sidecutters (dykes).  They're available at any electronics store for about 7-10 dollars, cut right at the tip if you need 'em to, (they're designed to flush-cut metal leads on components like diodes and resistors soldered to pc boards), and I mean they cut close... You can cut a wire lead with the first .5mm of the tip, they're angled at about 35 degrees, and they have a small notch for stripping wire... Cutting styrene isn't any problem for 'em..  I've had them for about 30 years, and never once did I consider getting anything to replace them from a hobby shop... Too many tools in hobby shops are actualy designed for other uses, but a manufacturer changes the label to include the word "Modeling" on it, and they can tack another 15 bucks onto the MSRP... Phooey...  If you damage them, then you're using the wrong tool for the job at hand, and likely fall into the category of those that'll use a pliers to drive in a nail... If you have a problem with "launching parts", you ain't usin' em right, you're cuttin' to far into the jaws... Use the first milimeter of the tip...

A tool as basic as a sprue cutter for modeling shouldn't cost more than a couple cans of spray paint...  Ever...

I'm surprise that no one mentioned this one. It cost below $15 at Micro-Mark.

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82393

I carry the Xuron line in my store. I have never tried using them as I am still using an old pair of my wifes cuticle cutters.

I would have to vote for a new sprue cutter to fall in the $20 to $30 price range regardless of warranty. It would be best (easier to sell) if they were under $20, at least from my store.

Two of the preproduction units arrived today...I am going to give them a workout to see what "tweaks" if any need to be made...but they are LOOKING GOOD!

Here I thought I had a three day weekend to relax and enjoy myself...well at least I'll get to do so for part of it.

I am getting very curious about your cutter Gerald!  I have used several different tools for cutting sprue and they almost all have the same problem, launching parts.  I really don't need any help loosing parts, I have become quite accomplished in this area.   If I were to actually go out and buy tools (most of mine are AF turn ins through DRMO) I would be willing to pay $10-$20 easily for a good tool.  For more than $20, I would need an iron clad lifetime guarantee.  For a good quality tool, I will occasionally pry open my wallet for something other than models and paint.

i have two pairs of xuron cutters the one for sprue and the other is for pe both are great and would never go back to using an exacto knife or side cutters again . the cut with xuron is flawless and extremely close usually no clean up is necessary .

as for the price of the new xuron cutters goes if they are warranteed for life and i know they are damaged by working with them and not because i did something stupid lol i would pay between 30 and 40 bucks for them

qmiester wrote:

Gerald, I know several aircraft mechanics and a few electronics techs that use standard sidecutters (dykes) the have the side that the part being removed lies filled with rubber.  The rubber grips the part and prevents it being ejected.  Perhaps instead of hard rubber, you could attach some type of foam or other soft rubber to protect the part as well as keeping it from being ejected.

In theory that idea has merit. In reality because of the soft nature of many of the parts we remove that "membrane" will crush the part...and if you allow more space for the part, a small part that has the trajectory of a howitzer will contine to fire across the bench or room.

TIP: To prevent small parts from going ballistic, simply take a little piece of masking tape, attach it to the part before cutting. This will act as a drag chute should it get launched and a locator flag if it does. I like to use a piece of colored tape such as Tamiya or Chart-Pak. Doesn't take much and a small piece is reusable several times. Kinda like a Remove Before Flight streamer. LOL

I'd recommend that a cutter have as narrow a blade as possible so the tip can fit into tight corners where the small parts tend to lie.

Dave 

Gerald,

I know several aircraft mechanics and a few electronics techs that use standard sidecutters (dykes) the have the side that the part being removed lies filled with rubber.  The rubber grips the part and prevents it being ejected.  Perhaps instead of hard rubber, you could attach some type of foam or other soft rubber to protect the part as well as keeping it from being ejected. 

Guys! Now is your chance to input your thoughts into what you want to see in a new cutter...before the design is finalized. All involved parties are reading your comments especially me. The sprue cutter design I suggested has reach, comfort, stability and cuts flush and cleanly without tearing or ripping.

Sprue cutters that shoot parts general do so because they apply a pinching pressure throughout the cutting process...not good when it sends that part out into the ding toolies of your workroom never to be seen again. Fodder for the carpet monster. 

A side note for those thinking about getting a sprue cutter:  Sometimes they can send a part flying when cutting so it's not a bad idea to cut under plastic wrap or in a ziplock bag.

Dave 

I use the red-handled sprue cutter from Micromark and very very happy with it, but it's not the best for cutting small parts.  It's a somewhat expensive tool but will give a decent flush cut on medium to larger parts.  Any better tools I might be willing to try.  Please keep us posted Hawkeye.

Dave