Cutting snips for Resin Figures

[Tecumsea]

Any recommendations for removing casting sprues?. I find myself buying more and more resin figures and wonder what everyone uses for removing casting residues.

I saw some advertised in France for nearly £30 a week or so ago and seem to remember there are some expensive Japanese ones knocking around.

I tend to buy quality if I can but only if there is a distinct benefit.

Keith

 

[Landrotten Highlander]

I am using some of my Bonsai tools - expensive, but very clean cut and easy to control. I find that the usual snips leave too much of a raged and difficult to work surface.

 

[Landrotten Highlander]

I use these. The first one is great as it can cut 'around' some resin. The second one I use most of the time
https://www.kaizenbonsai.com/large-bonsai-branch-trunk-splitter-carbon-steel-bonsai-tools
https://www.kaizenbonsai.com/bonsai-trunk-branch-splitter-carbon-steel-bonsai-tools

Both are ideal as the cutting surface is very flat, with only a very slight 'trim' in the middle of the cut, which I then trim off with a scalpel.

 

[harrytheheid]

For resin, I use these;

 

[theBaron]

I don't use any kind of shears to remove casting blocks from resin parts, only sharp knife blades, eg, Nr 11 X-Acto blades, or fine razor saws.

Prost!
Brad

 

[DEL]

Keith, just buy any decent set of shears. Don't spend much more than about £15.
The trick is to cut close to the finished piece and work from the cut with a scalpel and file.
These are the ones I use £15 approx but you can get a really decent pair for about £8
https://www.emodels.co.uk/revell-tools-precision-cutter-professional-39058.html

 

[Ray Stout]

I fit a Blade attachment to my Pyrogravure, and it goes through most resins like butter!! Ray

 

[Tecumsea]

Thanks for all of the suggestions-I need something really sharp as I can't cope with resin dust, so filing needs to be a minimum.

Thanks again for all of the responses,

Keith

 

[harrytheheid]

Thanks for all of the suggestions-I need something really sharp as I can't cope with resin dust, so filing needs to be a minimum.

Thanks again for all of the responses,

Keith

Keith,
Have a look through these - all high quality and all reasonably priced. Excellent service too.
https://www.snmstuff.co.uk/product-category/modelling-tools/modelling-tools-pliers-and-cutters/

 

[Blind Pew]

I fit a Blade attachment to my Pyrogravure, and it goes through most resins like butter!! Ray

Would that generate nasty fumes? Seems a good idea though, I bet it gives great control.

 

[Ray Stout]

Because of the shortness of time the blade is in contact with the resin, any fumes are neglectable. and it's better than having dust hanging around. The control it gives you is much better than anything else I've tried, and, with some practice, it's easy to be accurate. Ray

 

[Helm]

Thanks for all of the suggestions-I need something really sharp as I can't cope with resin dust, so filing needs to be a minimum.

Thanks again for all of the responses,

Keith

https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/hand-tools/rolson-150mm-side-cutting-pliers I use a pair like these a fraction of the price of "model" ones and twice as good.
Steve

 

[Blind Pew]

Exactly

the 'model' specific ones are a complete total rip off. I got some cheap ones on ebay and they are fine.

 

[harrytheheid]

https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/hand-tools/rolson-150mm-side-cutting-pliers I use a pair like these a fraction of the price of "model" ones and twice as good.
Steve

Exactly the 'model' specific ones are a complete total rip off. I got some cheap ones on ebay and they are fine.

Fair comment - but you won't find cheapo's that are flush-cut though.
The Xuron's I now use provide such a good flush-cut that no clean-up is necessary. They're extremely high quality at only 15 quid a pop, and will last a life-time.
If you really want a laugh check out the rip-off prices demanded by Tamiya, or Games Workshop, for hand-tools that are hardly fit for purpose. Ask me how I know....
Each to their own of course, but I learned my lesson the hard way as far as hobby tools are concerned.

 

[Blind Pew]

Spot on Harry. How Games Workshop make any money I don't know - total rip off.

 

[harrytheheid]

Spot on Harry. How Games Workshop make any money I don't know - total rip off.

They have superb marketing no doubt about that. They also rely on consumers lack of knowledge concerning alternative options and manufacturers.

 

[Ronaldo]

You could try Electricians wire cutters if you want to go premium quality but the will be pricy as you are also paying for the high insulation value and the ability to withstand some pretty hefty electricity blasts , personally I just use bog standard wire cutters even for electrical work as you should only cut one conductor wire at a time