I typically use wire cutters, but I always have to do some trimming with an exacto knife and sanding to clean up the sprue marks. Is there any better tool specialized for modeling that I can use?
IMHO, one of the best sprue cutting tools is the Xuron 410 Micro-Shear Flush Cutter. Xuron makes a whole series of over 30 types of shears, specialized for various aerospace, electronic and hobby uses. The model 410 is common in many LHS or electronic supply shops. I believe Testors sells the same model or close to it, under their own name. They work very well. Radio Shack sells cheap Chinese knock-offs for about 1/3 the price, but you get less than 1/3 the amount of life out of them before they break and you realise you should have sprung the bucks for the Xurons.
I use a wire cutter that produces a 180 degree cut on one side.
Spot of sanding or a scrap with the modeling blade and it is done.
Leopold has the idea. get yourself a sprue cutter. I have one Xuron and one Testors. I use them both on every kit I build. You will Too!
Glenn
I use a sprue cutter from citadel and I am very hapy with it.
I have the sprue cutter that Micro-Mark sells.
I love it, even though it is $32! [:D]
Mike
I use this, also from Micromark
It works like a champ. You can get in really close.
Greg
Now that I like! What’s that thing cost, w4ik?
Dana F
I also have the Xuron shears that have been mentioned, and I love them; however, for what it’s worth, I have the Sears Craftsman mini-pliers set that includes a small diagonal cutter. It’s superb for nipping sprue, as well as small wires, etc. Don’t use it for PE, though.
Gip Winecoff
Dana
Look on the web at www.micromark.com Item number 82393. I think they’re listed for $14.95, but I thought I saw them in the catalog for $5.95 or some other much reduced price. I do know that I got them for less than $14.95 but I can’t remember the price exactly. Maybe you could call them and check the price.
Greg
P.S. Just checked my receipts and I got them for $5.95 back in August. Don’t know if they’re still on sale or not.
I use the second micro-mark sprue cutter and I just love it.
mark956
If you can find an electrical supply shop, or a shop that supplies folks who work on computors, they usually carry flush cutters usually Xuron. They tend to be a little cheaper than the same item found in a hobby shop.
Many, many months ago I checked a couple of stores around here for the Xuron sprue cutters but didn’t have much luck finding them. I had ended up going to Sears and picked up the small diagonal cutters which Gip referenced above. It works well on sprues and even metal figs. The downside is the cutter end is bulkier than some of the sprue cutters which are not as thick. Sometimes it’s difficult to get into some areas to snip. Still, not a bad tool to have around. I think even if I eventually picked up a Xuron sprue cutter, I would use this for cutting really thicker or larger stuff.