Sprue Cutters / Nippers

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Sprue Cutters / Nippers

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 12:42 AM

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good pair of sprue cutters?

I've been using an Xacto knife and an old pair of heavy duty cutting pliers. I would like to buy something decent that would get in really close and make a nice clean cut. I'd like to save the Xacto knife blades from doing this kind of work and my pliers is just plain 'ol bulky and doesn't get in close enough.

I saw a reference to "Xuron sprue nippers" in another post. I've also seen references to "PBL" nippers.

P-B-L
http://www.p-b-l.com/
http://www.p-b-l.com/PBL2002/TrickTools.html

Xuron
http://www.xuron.com/
http://www.xuron.com/consumer/shears.htm

Looking at all of the choices is a bit confusing. Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated!

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jcarlberg

Member since
December 2002
From: USA

Posted by jcarlberg on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 9:15 AM

The Xuron tool is great. I had one until someone used it for a wirestripper. The ModelMaster tool is made by Xuron, and appears identical. I now have an Excel sprue cutter, and it's good, but not the quality of the Xuron. For limited run kits with thumb-size sprue gates, a razor saw is often needed to keep from damaging the part.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 10:41 PM

I bought a sprue cutter that is designed like a pair of tweezers with cutting edges on it. They get in tight places and cut flush. Micro-Mark sells them.

HTH,
Mark

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 30, 2003 12:00 AM

I went to the hobby shop tonight to pick up some cutters. I was really hoping they would have a pair of the Xuron cutters. Unfortuneately, they didn't have anything like it in stock. I asked one of the people working there and he didn't know anything about the company. In fact he told me that I should go to the hardware store and pick up a pair of wirecutters. He said it was the same thing, just that the companies label it as a sprue cutter and charge an extra $10 for it.

I honestly wasn't overly concerned about price - I was expecting to pay between $15-20 for a good pair of cutters - Instead, I had to go down to my local hardware store. Smile [:)]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 30, 2003 12:20 AM

This goes to Bayonet Recon. I think that sales person steered you wrong. I have never seen wire cutters that look like Xuron's. Tester's has a set under their name also. I think the best place to look for these are shops that specialize in model railroad supplies.

Mark

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 30, 2003 3:24 AM

I use a pair of small, 3" dikes to cut pieces off spru I picked up for $3-$4 at Radio Shack. Been using them for 10-15 years without any problem and haven't seen any need to upgrade. Normally I'll trim the residue off the part with an X-Acto razor saw blade and finish the job with a #11 X-Acto Blade.
Dick McC

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markuz226

Member since
January 2003
From: Everett

Posted by markuz226 on Wednesday, October 1, 2003 6:50 PM

Xuron makes several shear scissors and other cutters for hobby and industry. They also made the Micro-shear version sold under Model Master's name. I just wish I would know what model of shear they are selling (Xuron apparently makes different kinds of shears/scissors/pliers for hobby and industrial use). I just tried the sprue cutter and i was amazed. I can't believe I went on with the hobby without investing on this product! Works just as advertised! I would never go back to the days when I was still trying to use a bobby knife to detach parts from the sprue. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Wednesday, October 1, 2003 8:11 PM

My wife worked in the injection molding industry for ten years, and gave me several of her old gate cutters (what we call sprue cutters). These are great tools, but I'm not sure where you could find them. The brand name is Swanstrom and the part number is S55E.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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djrost_2000

Member since
February 2003
From: Where the coyote howl, NH

Posted by djrost_2000 on Thursday, October 2, 2003 5:15 PM

I got my sprue cutter from micromark. It's the red one with the side lever that actuates the pincers. It gives a good flush cut that will leave no remnant of sprue on the part if you position the pincers right. Its only drawback is that it's a little bulky and it can be hard to reach in narrow spaces. I love it 95% of the time.

DJ

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 2, 2003 6:44 PM

Don't laugh, but I found a great little nipper right here at home. I use fingernail clippers ! They don't "shoot" parts away at high velocity. Straight edge for most parts, & curved ones for tires & airfoils. Total cost for both : about $3.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 2, 2003 7:02 PM

I've been using the cutters from Games-Workshop. Very nice, with a clean flush cut. Fits in tight spots flawlessly. I couldn't imagine not having any cutters on my desk.

demono69

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 4, 2003 10:12 AM

I've been using a pair of Lindstrom, Sandvik diagonal cutters. These are make in Sweden, very small, and designed for cutting 0.2-1.25mm copper wire. The blades are very hard and super sharp, ideal for cutting both sprue and photo etched pieces.

Pete

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 4, 2003 10:14 AM

I've been using a pair of Lindstrom, Sandvik diagonal cutters. These are made in Sweden, very small, and designed for cutting 0.2-1.25mm copper wire. The blades are very hard and super sharp, ideal for cutting both sprue and photo etched pieces.

Pete

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