nheather Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 The other day, reading the latest Airfix magazine, I learnt about micro chisels. In the article, it used them to remove raised ejector pin marks on the new 1/48 Walrus. So I did a little research and determined that they were neither cheap nor expensive, around £20 for a set of three sizes. But couldn't really find anything about how useful they are. Are they great Do they need sharpening - if so how would you do that Would they just end up in the drawer unused Do x-acto chisel knife blades do the job just as well or better Would appreciate your thoughts. Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 @lasermonkey Makes his own, He said: "I made my own micro chisels from knackered jewellers screwdrivers. I'd bought a set years ago and they were made of "monkey metal" and chewed up quickly. Using a Dremel drill with a grinding disc, I ground the tip to a small chisel shape. Works well enough, and very cheap!" 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tank152 Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I use a few types of chisel and find them very useful so use them all the time. The ones I use are the Misson Models one and these, http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/swann-morton-fine-blades--handles-147-c.asp Which I believe are bone chisels I've never had to sharpen any. Personally I like to buy a tool made for the job and always a good quality one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Never had any of the so called Micro Chisels, but I have a few X-acto chisel blades that fit into their handles. They at very useful for removing ejector pin marks and detail which you might want to replace with etched metal. They do require sharpening every so often, so a stone is useful to have. One came with the X-acto tools that I have. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 They are useful, just not all the time. I find mine lies about for a while, then performs a job that I couldn't really do as well with anything else, then goes back to the tray it lives in for a while again. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nheather Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 Do you have a selection of sizes or do you find a particular size that works best. @tank152 - you mentioned Mission Models chisels but then linked Swann and Morton blades - is that what you meant? Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I only have two widths of blade, one about 5mm and the wider one about 8mm. There are times though when you could do with one about 1-2mm wide for removing small detail. Bear in mind one thing. The ease with which these tools work is dependant on the hardness of the plastic. Some kit manufacturers use a styrene which is more akin to nylon, it's so soft, while others styrene is more like Bakelite (showing my age now). They should be used with extreme care as they can slip and cut into things that you don't want them to, like other parts of the model or worse still, your fingers (ask me how I know!!) John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 4 hours ago, nheather said: Are they great Do they need sharpening - if so how would you do that Would they just end up in the drawer unused Do x-acto chisel knife blades do the job just as well or better Do you mean the chisels in the image below? If so, these are of a sturdy steel construction; approx. 170mm long with blade widths of 1, 2 and 3mm wide. Being of steel means that they can undergo a fair bit of hammering (pun intended) as they can cut, scrape or sheer off most protrusions in or on a kit. I also use them for shaping edges, as with the 1:350 ship scratchbuild on the upper left; or cleaning up tight corners as with those around the tailwing of the 1:144 Gannet COD on the left etc. Basically, any protrusion which needs chiselling away, especially those in hard to get areas, can removed and cleaned up with these chisels. They can be sharpened by using a sharpening stone or grinding wheel etc. X-acto blades can do similar work but tend to be a finer and wider blade and probably would not be as robust at being used on stubborn stuff with a hammer. I bought mine from Paul at Little-Cars and use them regularly as I find them to be really useful. HTH Mike 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nheather Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 @bootneck They look like the ones. I assume you have the 1mm, 2mm and 3mm there. Do you find uses for all of them or just concentrate on one or two of them. Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Yes, I have the three flat blade types in 1mm, 2mm and 3mm. There are three more which are half-round and triangular types, for getting into corners. I do use them all at varying stages, as each has its own use when it comes to what needs cutting away or shaping. I probably start wide with the 3mm and work down to the 1mm for really fine work or awkward corners. These don't replace my other cutting or shaping tools, such as my Swann-Morton handles/blades, they merely complement the range of tools I have to hand for most given situations during a build. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tank152 Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 4 hours ago, nheather said: Do you have a selection of sizes or do you find a particular size that works best. @tank152 - you mentioned Mission Models chisels but then linked Swann and Morton blades - is that what you meant? Cheers, Nigel Hi, I never linked the Misson Models chisels as I noticed Paul was out of stock of them and I may be wrong but they aren't making them anymore but these are the ones http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/mission-models-1ml-tip-set-9983-p.asp http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/mission-models-2ml-tips-9982-p.asp I do however find myself using the Swann Morton chesils more often. They are approximately 2mm thick and are extremely sharp. As you can see they come in a range of ends so there is always one that can do a job. The only downside is that the handles are pretty expensive, but you'll only have to buy one once as they are a quality piece of kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 9 minutes ago, tank152 said: only downside is that the handles are pretty expensive These handles are a bit cheaper - £10.50 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swann-Morton-Stainless-Steel-Fine-Handle-SF1-for-SM61-etc-Chisel-Blades-6051-/272287906822?hash=item3f659fbc06:g:Ve0AAMXQVT9S82iK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tank152 Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Hi Gorby, Thanks for that link. Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 True, but they wouldn't stand up to the types of extreme pressure that can be, and sometimes needed to be, used on some stubborn areas. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 4 minutes ago, tank152 said: Hi Gorby, Thanks for that link. Tim. No problem Tim. I would thank you for the link to the Modelling tools site, but looking through there are things that I didn't know existed that I now NEED. You may have just cost me a fortune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Hi Gorby, Paul will be in attendance at the North Somerset Model Show, at the Helicopter Museum, Weston super mare tomorrow; Sunday, and Coventry is only a just up the road. He's very helpful on giving advice on the modelling tools he has on show; and he does Airbrushing demo's to boot! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngstROM Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I had been pondering the SujiboriDo ones that I saw on the HobbySearch site, but...not exactly cheap! The ones at modellingtools look more like regular blades; any alternative thoughts would be welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 10 minutes ago, bootneck said: Paul will be in attendance at the North Somerset Model Show, at the Helicopter Museum, Weston super mare tomorrow; Sunday, and Coventry is only a just up the road Don't tempt me. Fortunately for my wallet, the M5 is quite a long road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 (edited) I've got a Master Tools chisel (Trumpeter) and find it really useful for cutting in side of awkward places. Used it extensively on my recent Eagle build. Just needs sharpening every so often with a simple sharpening stone. Karl Edited July 9, 2017 by Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 1 hour ago, Karl said: I've got a Master Tools chisel (Trumpeter) and find it really useful for cutting in side of awkward places. I was looking at those on Paul's site the other day, and they look useful. The Mission Models one is a bit expensive, and changing bits is a bit of a PITA with that fiddly little Allen key, which twists alarmingly when you tweak it up, due to the small size of it 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tank152 Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 50 minutes ago, Mike said: The Mission Models one is a bit expensive, and changing bits is a bit of a PITA with that fiddly little Allen key, which twists alarmingly when you tweak it up, due to the small size of it I gave up using the handle just for that reason, I now put the chisel into a pin vise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorfinn Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 41 minutes ago, tank152 said: I gave up using the handle just for that reason, I now put the chisel into a pin vise. Same problem...only I just spot-CA'd mine into the handle! Use it all the time, love the control and finesse of the discretely-narrow cutting head, which will get where other blades can't. I've had mine for 3+ yrs, and haven't had to change blades yet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nheather Posted August 10, 2017 Author Share Posted August 10, 2017 I got three of the trumpeter ones - flat edge, 1mm, 2mm, 3mm. Done some test cuts but not used in anger - but so far they do seem rather nice. Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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