trimming parts from "trees" ... your method ???

FreedomEagle1953

Member since
December 2012

trimming parts from "trees" ... your method ???

Posted by FreedomEagle1953 on Saturday, February 15, 2003 12:13 PM

Hi fellow modelers ...

As I sit here at my work bench, on a cold and snowy Saturday ... working on my current project, an F/A-18 HORNET for the Community Building Project (see thread under General Modeling) ... I was thinking about the various ways of trimming parts from the "tree".

One of the rules for the CBP is that we can use a limited list of tools to build our project. Sprue nippers, sprue cutters, whatever you call them ... are not on the list ... we can use our "xacto" knife ... this got me to thinking ... what are other builders methods of trimming parts ??? Approve [^]

Gee, seems like I/we have come along way from the early days ... I used to use an old, kinda rusty, very dull pocket knife with a yellow handle ... hmmm wonder what ever happened to that old knife ... oh,well ...

How do you prefer to trim parts off their "trees" ???

FreedomEagle1953

Chicago, IL area

"keep on building 'em ... but don't glue your fingers together"

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Saturday, February 15, 2003 12:29 PM

As I sit by my computer on a nice sunny 70 degree day, I used to use an old set of nail clips to cut parts from the tree. I still have them in my tools bin and come across the every so often. The good old day.

Berny

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Saturday, February 15, 2003 2:23 PM

As I sit here on a....no...that's enough weather forcasts for one day...LOL.

I use a small set of side cutters that I picked up at a five and dime many years ago....works very well...in most cases.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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upnorth

Member since
December 2002
From: Canada / Czech Republic

Posted by upnorth on Saturday, February 15, 2003 3:04 PM

Really depends on the kit and the size of the sprue attatchments.

Usually I use a set of sidecutters I picked up at a local department store.

I found some small thin saw blades that fit into the chuck of my number 1 exacto knife handle. I'm not certain what their blade number is, but they've often saved the day for me when I had a small part with a big sprue attatchement and the side cutters would have been too big and clumsy for the job.

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James Mark

Member since
January 2003
From: Canada

Posted by James Mark on Sunday, February 16, 2003 12:44 AM

I'm a BROKE student and can't afford any fancy tools. use the X-Acto #11 and save the rest of my money for tuition

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I've never lost a piece off the tree or ruined a part when cutting. I also remove any flash or seam lines while I'm at it!

As far as I can tell I don't see an advantage to sprue cutters...perhaps someone can enlighten me on the benefits of a cutter and perhaps I'll fork out the money! Until then I will stick with my trusty X-acto knife and beer.

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FreedomEagle1953

Member since
December 2012

Posted by FreedomEagle1953 on Sunday, February 16, 2003 1:25 AM

.... for James Mark:

I think you have it right ... rely on your trusty xacto knife and beer!

A fellow can sure make things too complicated, building model kits shouldn't be too complicated.

FreedomEagle1953

Chicago, IL area

"keep on building 'em ... but don't glue your fingers together"

Reply

Big Jake

Member since
February 2003
From: Lacombe, LA.

Posted by Big Jake on Sunday, February 16, 2003 7:36 AM

Go to Radio Shack in the 64 series try these bad boys only $3.99. I've always used them.

http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/64/64-1833.jpg

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weebles

Member since
December 2002
From: USA

Posted by weebles on Sunday, February 16, 2003 7:43 PM

I use those fancy aviation sheers. They do a great job because you can cut flush to your piece without damaging it. But before that I used one of those big toe nail clippers. It worked well.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 17, 2003 11:55 AM

even cutting flush with a side colour can sometimes mar the surface. I usually cut a little bit away from the piece, then trim the remainder off.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 17, 2003 4:11 PM

I've got the same trimmer that Big Jake noted above. Cheap cutters that do a good job. I've found they come in really handy on 'glass' parts. Whenever I cut glass pieces off of the sprue, I tend to 'stress' the joint and sometimes it damages the piece. Even when I use the xacto blade I get some form of stress in the part (especially windshields). Using the trimmers, I cut well away from the part and then just 'nip' away at it until it is flush with the edge of the part. Works good for me.

M.

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