Best tool for removing easily breakable parts ?

[IanHx]

You know the scenario -  1:72 joystick attached to runner in such a way that pressing down with a hobby knife/scalpel will exert enough force to snap the part instead of cutting it free.

What tool would you use instead ?  Vaguely recall from the Airfix tv show that they were using what looked like very narrow bladed shears or something.

[Ray_W]

Tricky bits I use a razor saw. Top one is RB, bottom Tamiya. 

 

 

 

 

Ray

[dragonlanceHR]

I would say that the single blade nippers are your best bet here. Prices and quality vary.

[Mark Harmsworth]

My approach would be to hold the part firmly between finger and thumb and use a razor saw - like @Ray_W suggested. I have the Tamiya set of p.e. saws:

 

[Troy Smith]

5 hours ago, IanHx said:

1:72 joystick attached to runner in such a way that pressing down with a hobby knife/scalpel will exert enough force to snap the part instead of cutting it free.

What tool would you use instead ?

A suggestion, a hot wire or knife,  one of those thing that used to used for carving expanded polystrene, or a pin mounted in a soldering iron are in a similar vein. 

Not tried it but should not stress the part, though heat could distort part if too close.   

[IanHx]

Thanks all for the good and numerous suggestions.

Looking into various nippers and saws.

[bmwh548]

I will sometimes use a rotary tool with a fine cutting blade and cut the sprue "frame". That way I can take out the piece still attached and then I go in with nippers while holding the small part between my fingers. The sprue flies off without damage to the part.

[Bertie McBoatface]

7 hours ago, Troy Smith said:

A suggestion, a hot wire or knife,  one of those thing that used to used for carving expanded polystrene, or a pin mounted in a soldering iron are in a similar vein. 

Not tried it but should not stress the part, though heat could distort part if too close.   

 

I think dynamite might shift it. I've never tried it but there is an outside chance that the blast might deform the house a little. 🤣

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry Troy, I can never resist the gift of a joke.

[dnl42]

Completely agree @Ray_W's suggestion of a saw. The JLC saw is my 1st choice to remove fine parts or anywhere else I need to cut the sprue cleanly without any chance of collateral damage. A mitre box is also available.

[Bertie McBoatface]

My serious answer is a saw. I like the Hasegawa Tritool etched ones.

[Bertie McBoatface]

13 hours ago, Ray_W said:

Tricky bits I use a razor saw. Top one is RB, bottom Tamiya. 

 

 

 

 

Ray

 

As Crocodile Dundee almost said, "That's not a Tamiya saw...

 

 

..THIS is a Tamiya saw." 😆

[dogsbody]

I use this. It's a bit of broken CMK razor saw in a pin vise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris

[Neddy]

For the last year I've used a pair of Modelcraft side cutters which prior to that I never knew existed and they've been a revelation.  Clean and accurate cuts with no collateral damage or pressure causing parts to depart the scene in  a parabolic arc the way they used to.

 

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001AE5ZTQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[malpaso]

Sometimes I find it best to cut away the rest of the sprue nearby, so as to allow straight access to the part in question