Anyone using negative locking tweezers for decals?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Tools
1

I just picked up a pair of the Model Master negative locking tweezers at the LHS the other night and I really like them for decaling. They hold even the smallest decals very well and the negative locking feature is invaluable for holding the decal without having to keep pressure on the tweezers as you do with standard tweezers. Do any of you use these type tweezers for decals?

Mike

2

I use that type (not same brand) to hold the paper while I’m soaking the decals and then generally use my trusty x-acto blade to slide them onto the model.

RLF

3

You use your X-acto to slide the decals onto the model? [:0]

I use a #0 red sable paint brush. It works great.

Mike

4

I have a pair that I use for decals as well, and I really and truly love them. Best thing that’s ever happened to my decaling. I use a yellow microbrush to slide the decal off. I’ve had the x-acto blade cut the decal before. A microbrush never has. I really like these things. I’ve been using them lately to put pastel chalk onto my Spitfire.

5

I use them for holding the decal paper too ,very handy.
And if a tiny part needs to be sanded and my fingers are too big to hold it ,
I´ll use a small bulldog clip to hold it and squeeze it a little more with my fingers while sanding to keep it steady.

6

Mike,

I have a pair also and they are perfect. I can use them to hold the decal while it is soaking and am free to prepare the area where the decal goes.

Richard

7

I use them for almost everything. From attaching small parts that my fingers are too big to hold, to decaling. They are one of my most used tools.

8

Yep, Iv’e got 3 pair that I use for decals and small PE. Two of mine are by X-Acto and one is a modified version from Kaydee MicroTrains that has a notched end ( designed for assembling N-Scale MRR couplers ) that is useful for holding small parts like control sticks or landing gear components. They are all my most used tweezers.

9

I also use my x-acto knife to place decals on my models. Done it for years. I’ve never scratched the paint, cut the decal or harm the model in any way. Its something I do only with small decals because I can get the larger ones in place with my figures just fine. The way I do it is soak the decal, then slide on to the blade, and then place the decal using the blade. 90% of the time I get it right where I want it, no need to move it farther. I’ve trying using tweezers, but I don’t have the control I’ve got with the blade.

10

[#ditto]

Works for me.

Wouldn’t be without these now, great for attaching PE too.

Karl

11

Can’t live without them for decaling.

12

i use hemistats that my mom gets me from work.

13

I use blunt nosecross-action tweezers for my P.E. parts. I lock the part in my tweezers, put glue on the surface, and instead of trying to pick up the P.E. part again, I just pick up the tweezers and apply the part. The blunt nose of the tweezers are great for picking up the photoetch parts because they’re flat. I use mascot tweezers and they close REALLY TIGHT. I’m afraid if I use cross-action sharp tweezers, they’ll pierce the part.

14

I have a pair of these things (you see the people in CSI picking up evidence with this, right?)… But i mainly use it for painting small pieces that I’ve mistakenly cut off the sprue, etc… That way, i don’t get paint on my fingers as often as i used to… [tup] For decals, i use tamiya’s Decal tweezers. Becuase they have large, flat “grippers” (for lack of a better word), there’s little chance to tear the decal. [:D]