Model Sprue Clipper Recommendations and Other Building Tips?

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

So, I don't normally do the whole model-building thing very much -- I did some Mega Man (or rather, Rockman) X ones back in the late '90s/early aughts, and just sort of twisted the parts off the sprues.

Some 20 years later, I got my hands on a more expensive Mega Man 11 kit from Kotobukiya, and I've decided I'd like to take a bit more care with this one.

So... is there a particular kind/brand of clipper or scissors or whatever I should look at getting? Any other tips?

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

If you're not planning to build a lot of kits, the cheap clippers you can get at most places that sell Gunpla or other similar kits will do the job just fine. More expensive clippers might give better results, but if you don't plan to make a regular hobby of it, it might not be worth the cost. It's up to you, really.

Don't cut the parts right where they attach to the sprues, as that can cause stress marks or gouges in the plastic. Cut a bit away from the part so there's a few millimeters of sprue left attached, then file it down with a bit of sandpaper or a small file. Fingernail sanding blocks that you can pick up at most any pharmacy or department store will do the trick, and they usually have multiple grains on different sides of the same block.

My personal experience with Kotobukiya kits (mostly through Zoids and Frame Arms Girls, I've never built one of their Mega Man kits) is that they can be a bit delicate and fiddly, so take your time. Maybe have a little model cement in case of tiny parts that don't like to hold on.

 

[Thefakelink]

Tamiya snips are pretty good for the price. If you’re close to one, Hobby and Toy Central is a good place to start.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

Tamiya snips are pretty good for the price. If you’re close to one, Hobby and Toy Central is a good place to start.

I'll see if we have one around here. =)

If you're not planning to build a lot of kits, the cheap clippers you can get at most places that sell Gunpla or other similar kits will do the job just fine. More expensive clippers might give better results, but if you don't plan to make a regular hobby of it, it might not be worth the cost. It's up to you, really.

Don't cut the parts right where they attach to the sprues, as that can cause stress marks or gouges in the plastic. Cut a bit away from the part so there's a few millimeters of sprue left attached, then file it down with a bit of sandpaper or a small file. Fingernail sanding blocks that you can pick up at most any pharmacy or department store will do the trick, and they usually have multiple grains on different sides of the same block.

My personal experience with Kotobukiya kits (mostly through Zoids and Frame Arms Girls, I've never built one of their Mega Man kits) is that they can be a bit delicate and fiddly, so take your time. Maybe have a little model cement in case of tiny parts that don't like to hold on.

Thanks! I'll look into getting that stuff before I get started. =D

 

[Destron D-69]

a solid hobby knife can be helpful too, but yeah TMM hit the nail on the head. washing your parts to remove mold release will help if you plan to paint or put on waterslide decals.

 

[wonko the sane?]

I used to use nail clippers for my warhammer stuff. Worked beautifully.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

Depends on the thickness of the sprues. For smaller parts, nail clippers could work, but for thicker sprues, nail clippers might just not be big enough. They're also harder to maneuver around awkward angles.

 

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

Tamiya snips are pretty good for the price. If you’re close to one, Hobby and Toy Central is a good place to start.

Yikes.

I looked into it. None in Toronto, but there are a couple in Ontario. I checked the website.

$52.99, plus $21 flat shipping is a bit out of my price range at the moment. I had better look into other options.

I used to use nail clippers for my warhammer stuff. Worked beautifully.

I do have some of those around, but I'll have to see if the parts are suitable for it, per what Mollusk said.

Edit: Okay, I just looked around on Amazon, and I wonder if these would work: https://www.amazon.ca/IGAN-330-Electronic-Clippers-Powerful-Precision/dp/B07RW8VTSX/ref=sr_1_7?

They're cheaper, but I'm not looking to make a whole hobby out of building models (at least, not yet. I'll deal with it then if that ever becomes the case), so I wonder if they'd suffice enough for just the one kit...

 

[Thefakelink]

My mistake, mine aren’t Tamiya after all. I definitely don’t remember spending that much on snips.
The ones linked from Amazon look like they’d work. All the more so if you’re not planning on building a ton. Just be aware that it can get addictive