Bought a pair of great sprue cutters today. The brand name is Gadgets and Gizmos, they are called flush cutter pliers, and the model number is 292136. They are tiny, and are the closest thing to true flush cutting that I have ever used.
I got mine today from Hobby Lobby. Gadgets and Gizmos may be a house brand of HL, since the card of the blister pack gives HL’s web URL in small print at the bottom. They were priced at $9.99 list (before discount certificate), which I think is a good price. They were cheaper than the cutters I had been using, but these new ones are better!
Are those the ones with the Light Orchid padded handles ? If so you got the good ones . I got two pair in the beading dept and they are truly flush cutting tools .
As a matter of fact if you are cutting soft brass wire one side comes out so flat if you do the " Flip " when you are cutting you don’t have to finish the ends to solder two parts together .
I started buying stuff like this at HL after my landlady loaned me a pair of Groziers ( used in the stained glass hobby ) to hold on to an odd shaped part . I now buy my tools there . The only thing I am disappointed in , is that they don’t sell Hobby Sized drill sets . T.B. P.S. I buy all my sanding sticks and boards at Sally Beauty Supply too !
I picked up a pair of flush cut nippers at the dollar store. They were intended for floral wire I believe, but they are my go to for chopping sprue so I can save my xuron for regular use. Jewelry making and beading tools have some surprising uses for scale modeling. Bob Gregory Ruining one kit at a time.
I’ve been using the same pair of cutters for a year and a half now and you know how much models I make in a year, too many to count! LOL! I’ve been using Tamiya’s side cutter. They are exceptional, yet I will definitely go to HL and look into if not purchase these cutters you purchased for $9.99. Sounds like a good deal sir.
The ones I mentioned are NOT for hard brass or other harder wire . They are for the softer wires used in beading .The most important thing is .The one side is ABSOLUTELY flat ! Unlike the Zuron brand , which DO have a little cup to the surface where the blades meet on the flat side .
No , They are not expensive and if you only cut plastic with them , the cheapness of quality does NOT factor in . They keep their edge AND you can gently file down the side profile to get into even tinier spaces in the sprue to part areas .
Just don’t try to shape them with an electric machine of any type . They might get too hot and you’ll mess up the temper . Hand file them thinner , and you’ll not regret it . My original pair is now nine years old and still cutting super . T.B. P.S. If you have any doubt about the cup in the Zuron brand take a steel rule And place it side-ways on the cutter , Blades closed , and shine a flashlight from the opposite side .You’ll see the cup , Really !
I picked up a pair of fine wire cutters at Fry’s for like $3. I bought three. One for my electronics and two for modelling. These things work grat. Better than my offical sprue cutters
