Decal tweezers?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Tools
1

Is one type of decal tweezer better than another? I am looking at 2 manufacturers; what features are best for dedicated decal tweezers?

Thanks1

Leddy

2

I like the self clamping type. I have a couple from Kaydee that are intended for assembling springs into HO model railroad truck couplers. I use them almost exclusively for holding decals while wetting & placing on the model.

Regards, Rick

3

Same here! Make sure you get the kind that has no teeth, or file them smooth.

Here is a set available from Squadron.

4

I’m a big proponent of quality tweezers, ones that are designed for production use. You want tweezers that will hold but not damage the decal. In many cases the tweezers must hold the decal itself not the backing paper, so you want a pair that can do it without tearing or otherwise damaging the decal.

You also want a tweezers that has the ability to get under a decal without scrunching up the edge and creasing it. Reverse action tweezers with ultra fine points are perfect for decaling.

!(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/hawkeyes_bucket/Modeling Tools/delyetstr.jpg)

Here is a video I made that you might find useful.

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/ :550:0]

5

I’m a big proponent of quality tweezers, ones that are designed for production use. You want tweezers that will hold but not damage the decal. In many cases the tweezers must hold the decal itself not the backing paper, so you want a pair that can do it without tearing or otherwise damaging the decal.

You also want a tweezers that has the ability to get under a decal without scrunching up the edge and creasing it. Reverse action tweezers with ultra fine points are perfect for decaling.

!(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/hawkeyes_bucket/Modeling Tools/delyetstr.jpg)

Here is a video I made that you might find useful.

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/ :550:0]

6

Hawkeye,

Which of the tweezers (viewer/ left to right) do you mean?

Thanks!

Leddy

7

The one holding the straight pin and the one to the right of it are Reverse Action tweezers…which means you must apply pressure to release the jaws. These prevent one from squeezing the decal too hard thus damaging the membrane.

8

I never apply the tweezers to the decal itself, only to the backing paper. For me, the biggest advantage of the self clamping/reverse action tweezers is that you can dunk the decal in the water while being held by the tweezers & then when the decal moves freely on the bacikng paper position it on the model.& slide it off with a brush. The self clamping feature makes it much less likely to accidentally release it at just the wrong time.

Regards, Rick

9

For some reason the VIDEO in my previous post didn’t make the trip.