Sprue cutters, single or double edge?

[Augustus]

Or does it matter, you cut away from the part and clean up with scalpel or knife?

[digger303]

Or does it matter, you cut away from the part and clean up with scalpel or knife?

You have more control with proper sprue cutters. hobby knife tends to flick the parts more and pressing down can cause damage. Tamiya or xuron is the way to go. I prefer the xuron as it has longer reach with the jaws and I can really get into the sprue with them. Some use nail clippers as well. I usually don't use the knife for the above reasons.

Xuron 2175ET Professional Sprue Cutter

http://www.hobbytools.com.au/search.php ... on&x=0&y=0

[ForbesHutton]

There will be youtube reviews of most sprue cutters. As a general rule you can get closer with double edge cutters, as both sides cut, but the crushing action from the blunt side of a single can fracture slightly, requiring you leave a bigger "stump".
I use xurons, after trying some cheaper ones, and can cut with the blades in contact with the part, but this still leaves a little nub to clean up as the individual blades are double bevelled (angled on both sides to the edge i.e. ><). there are some expensive Gundan cutters that are single bevelled on each blade (picture a chisel blade from the side) that will apparently cut flush, leaving no nub, but these little beauties seem to be made in small runs in Japan and cost around $100+ and there are a lot of knock-offs on the internet...

[Augustus]

There will be youtube reviews of most sprue cutters. As a general rule you can get closer with double edge cutters, as both sides cut, but the crushing action from the blunt side of a single can fracture slightly, requiring you leave a bigger "stump".
I use xurons, after trying some cheaper ones, and can cut with the blades in contact with the part, but this still leaves a little nub to clean up as the individual blades are double bevelled (angled on both sides to the edge i.e. ><). there are some expensive Gundan cutters that are single bevelled on each blade (picture a chisel blade from the side) that will apparently cut flush, leaving no nub, but these little beauties seem to be made in small runs in Japan and cost around $100+ and there are a lot of knock-offs on the internet...

I'm not going that extreme, Tamiya were expensive enough!

Or does it matter, you cut away from the part and clean up with scalpel or knife?

You have more control with proper sprue cutters. hobby knife tends to flick the parts more and pressing down can cause damage. Tamiya or xuron is the way to go. I prefer the xuron as it has longer reach with the jaws and I can really get into the sprue with them. Some use nail clippers as well. I usually don't use the knife for the above reasons.

Xuron 2175ET Professional Sprue Cutter

http://www.hobbytools.com.au/search.php ... on&x=0&y=0

I meant using cutters to take it off the sprue, but cutting away from the part and using the knife to clean up the resulting hub, which is what I do at the moment. Not using a scalpel to cut them off the sprue.

I didn't like the look of the Xurons and went Tamiya Sharp Pointed Side Cutter for Plastic (Slim Jaw)

http://www.bnamodelworld.com/hobby-tool ... s-tm-74123

[digger303]

I cut very close and find he knife is not needed.

[ComfortablyNumb]

I use a pair of cutters that was included with an instrument screwdriver set from Lidl for £4.99. Cuts sprue perfectly.

I'm finding as a relative noob, that tools labelled for modelling seem to have a 'let's double it' mark-up. Actually come to think of it, anything to do with modelling!

[digger303]

I use a pair of cutters that was included with an instrument screwdriver set from Lidl for £4.99. Cuts sprue perfectly.

I'm finding as a relative noob, that tools labelled for modelling seem to have a 'let's double it' mark-up. Actually come to think of it, anything to do with modelling!

there is every chance those cutters actually crush the plastic instead of cleanly slicing and if you cut close will actually remove a piece of the part.

[Lee]

I've used many, many different sprue cutters and different methods over the years and you just cannot beat the Xuron range!

They are by far the best cutters I've used. If I do have anything left over after a cut, I'll just use a scalpel to scrape it clean

[schweinhund227]

as many have stated....

Investing in a proper tools is part of our hobby ! you can get away with nail trimmers and nails sanders only for so long...
People spit out 30$ to 80$ for a kit on a whim but fail to invest in proper tools that will last them years and save them many greifs !

Top of the line Tamiya fine tip sprue cutters or Xuron are a must in this day and age....
You won't regret investing in proper tools !

if you need to postpone buying the latest kit or latest Paints or books... do so ! its worth it... on the first cut ! you will say why did I waited so long?

[ComfortablyNumb]

So far, three out of the four models I've completed were so badly made/tooled (Airfix you know it's you), a bit of a hack around a sprue doesn't amount to much. The Vulcan I'm working on now, might as well have been left in the conservatory in 120 deg heat and would not have have been any more of a challenge!!!

This is especially true now I've discovered the magical properties of sprue goop!

Fair point though, right tools for the job. No doubt I will upgrade when I feel more confident and start investing in better kits.

Although my £6 suction vice (also from Lidl) cannot be beaten. It holds things quite well!

[Lysus]

there are some expensive Gundan cutters that are single bevelled on each blade (picture a chisel blade from the side) that will apparently cut flush, leaving no nub, but these little beauties seem to be made in small runs in Japan and cost around $100+ and there are a lot of knock-offs on the internet...

Gundam Planet nippers should be $30, you're thinking of God Hand which start at $40 but can be upwards of $100 because reasons. GP nippers are just as good, similarly designed, and not over priced.

All nippers pinch when they slice and this will stress the plastic when you cut (which is why the God Hand nippers are coveted--they have one blade and one anvil so they don't pinch).

[Johnj]

I get as much from buying tools as i do a kit, i'm the same at work (more or less ) am i alone in this ?

[Twokidsnosleep]

If you do any gardening, they have a similar issue with pruners.
For a clean cut you use double edge cutters...two sharp edges slice both sides completely through
A single edge cutter crushes the sharp blade against a flat edge...crushing the branch vs the sharp edge

Both cutters Digger mentioned right off the bat are very good in modelling IMHO

and yes John, I am a tool addict as well

[Johnj]

and yes John, I am a tool addict as well

Mmmm.......an addict, yeah, i'm happy with that

I've been looking for a reason to replace my well used tamiya cutters for a while, now might just be it. So if anybody wants my used tamiya side cutters PM me your address and i will send them on (after the new one's arrive of coarse ) i'll even cover the postage, oversea's as well

[chalkyw]

Or does it matter, you cut away from the part and clean up with scalpel or knife?

You have more control with proper sprue cutters. hobby knife tends to flick the parts more and pressing down can cause damage. Tamiya or xuron is the way to go. I prefer the xuron as it has longer reach with the jaws and I can really get into the sprue with them. Some use nail clippers as well. I usually don't use the knife for the above reasons.

Xuron 2175ET Professional Sprue Cutter

http://www.hobbytools.com.au/search.php ... on&x=0&y=0

Cheers Augustus.....now I've got to spend more money and eat dry bread for the rest of the month

[SMAddict66]

and yes John, I am a tool addict as well

Mmmm.......an addict, yeah, i'm happy with that

I've been looking for a reason to replace my well used tamiya cutters for a while, now might just be it. So if anybody wants my used tamiya side cutters PM me your address and i will send them on (after the new one's arrive of coarse ) i'll even cover the postage, oversea's as well

John that's an incredibly generous offer.

To be clear, I'm not after them but just your post alone makes it clear why this forum is just so different to many others. I salute you sir

[Johnj]

Thank you phil, what a lovely thing to say. After i made the post i was a bit concerned as somewhere in the back of my mind i thought there is something on here already for moving items on to a new home FOC and i was putting it in the wrong place.
I really hope someone will claim them as i would much prefer someone else to get many more years of good use from them as just chucking them in the bin or cupboard.

This is without doubt the friendliest forum i've been on, a great bunch of guy's. No egos, just people willing to help and pass on as much as required. Keep up the good work

[Augustus]

Or does it matter, you cut away from the part and clean up with scalpel or knife?

Cheers Augustus.....now I've got to spend more money and eat dry bread for the rest of the month

Up til now I've just been using cheap generic cutters, which certainly have not been bad. I just bought these, will be interesting to see any difference.

http://www.bnamodelworld.com/hobby-tool ... s-tm-74123

[digger303]

Cheers Augustus.....now I've got to spend more money and eat dry bread for the rest of the month

Up til now I've just been using cheap generic cutters, which certainly have not been bad. I just bought these, will be interesting to see any difference.

http://www.bnamodelworld.com/hobby-tool ... s-tm-74123

I'm positive you will notice a big difference. When I got back into this I was using a good pair of side cutters ( duratech ) from an electronic store and I was very happy with them, until others put me onto the downfalls of them. From the first cut and clean up I realized the false utopia I lived in... .
Keep the old ones for cutting wire and only ever use the new ones for plastic, don't ever be tempted otherwise...
I also totally recommend the PE cutters as well...$35...sounds a lot but worth every penny. Keep in mind that zuron only make specialist tools and aren't a modeling company trying to make an extra buck.
http://www.hobbytools.com.au/xuron-9180 ... n-scissor/

[Augustus]

I also totally recommend the PE cutters as well...$35...sounds a lot but worth every penny. Keep in mind that zuron only make specialist tools and aren't a modeling company trying to make an extra buck.
http://www.hobbytools.com.au/xuron-9180 ... n-scissor/

I may well have to invest mate as I've recently bought my first lot of PE for a near future Panther build.

[RobertK]

Games workshop have a nice sprue cutter aswell if it's hard to find a Xuron one anywhere, think it's called fine detail cutter or something like that. It works pretty much the same way as the Xuron cutters do.

[onemac]

Thanks chaps - I'll pass on the info on double-edged gardening pruners to 'her in charge of gardening'

I'm going to make do with my Tamiya cutters for now because (as compared to a pair of scissors recommended by another 'modeller' ) they suit me and I don't know any different. Now where's my wallet........

Al