Thin Edged Cutting Pliers

Sprue cutters — U-STAR

Modeling nippers for separating plastic parts from the sprue of a kit, from U-STAR. For them the manufacturer gives jaws of hardened chrome vanadium steel. This is neither a model nor a kit but a tool for a modeling workshop. It is precisely the way you separate a part from the sprue that decides how much cleaning-up work is left for you.

What the tool is for

• Separating plastic parts from the sprue without whitening the plastic
• Shortening sprue gates close to the part, so that as little as possible is left to sand
• Trimming plastic sections, wire and tubing
• Work with small parts, where a knife would slip

How to work with them

Never nip a part off right at its edge. Cut the sprue gate farther from the part first and take the remainder off with a second cut, or with a knife and abrasive paper. Otherwise the plastic is squeezed at the point of the cut, turns white and leaves a dent that is hard to smooth out. The cutters are a tool for plastic, not for metal: hard wire, spring steel and photo-etched sheet do not belong in them, because they will chip the edges. Wipe the jaws after work and put a drop of oil into the pivot now and then. Protect the edges with the cap, if one is in the package.

Who they are for

For anyone who builds plastic models and does not want to break parts off the sprue or cut them off with a knife. They suit beginners as well as experienced modelers, and on larger kits they save hours of cleaning up.

Keep the tool out of the reach of children. It is not a kit, a model or part of one.