Hey all, I'm in the market for some new sprue cutters and was wondering your thoughts on the different brands and the snip cutters.

Thanks fellas.

I have always used Xuron, but I recently needed a new set, so I tried a pair of God Hand Spn-120 Ultimate Nipper 5.0, all I can say is WOW!!!! beautiful, clean, close cuts on even very delicate parts.

I bought recently the Trumpeter/Master tools single blade nippers and I really like them, for a fraction of the price of other brands. You can even cut very small details without breaking.
I tested them here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U0tyOuDcHI&t=2s

I purchased 10 cheap ones on Ebay called Plato model 170 9 months ago and I am still on the first set. Fantastic value for money and I believe they are very close to the Xuron ones in style.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Durable-Electrical-Side-Snips-Flush-Pliers-Cutter-Wire-Cable-Cutting-Plier-Tool/163676077497?hash=item261bdabdb9:m:mlxVD8GNK_oUB7hUIKlnHiQ

They've even posted pics of the Xuron one for comparison

H.P.

I used Xuron for many years (still do for heavy, large cuts), but recently bought a pair of Fujiyamas from Micro Mark, and really like them. I bought the “slim blade” set, and they make smooth, non-tearing cuts, and are especially good on very fine detail sprues.
VR, Russ

I find the best side cutters are the corners of kitchen cabinets.


Oh, wait, are we talking about sprues or my abdomen?

I too am looking for a really good set of side cutters. However, everyone says they really like ... model and there is no consensus. Is there a place where someone makes a comparison test for a current definitive answer? I want one that requires no cleanup.

Hobby Lobby sells a pretty nice "one-sided" sprue-cutter in their model & model-tools section. Recently bought one (5.99 USD, I think, with the common 40% off coupon) - very sharp, cuts clean and close. Used it on runners from several different maker's kits in the past 3 weeks, and it performs well with no tearing nor mushing across the diversity of styrene offered by Tamiya, Takom, Trumpeter, Hobby-Boss, Tiger Model and Bronco, as well as on some unknown (to me) car model plastic.

Cheers! Bob

Paul Budzik did a comparison video of higher end cutters on his website for scale modeling and it’s informative. I tested the same cutters personally and my results with the same tools varied slightly from his but that has to be expected when items are produced in a factory to a tolerance.

My personal testing showed the Tamiya cutters are very good and far surpass the Xuron style cutters in performance, but did not cut as cleanly or with as little cleanup as the God Hand SPN 120 nippers. I no longer use the Xuron cutters for anything like removing parts from spruces. Tamiya cutters are definitely much more rugged than the God Hand product so I use them for large part removal and the SPN 120s for very fine and delicate work next to the parts.

Your results will no doubt vary based on the individual samples you purchase. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Paul H

Some time ago there was a question about GodHand nippers, and all who had one said it was wonderful and would buy it again without doubt... so if I have the funds for it, I would get it as well.

I got instead a Wave HT389 for half the price (some 20 euros), single blade as well, and I am pretty happy with it. Really makes a difference with the Xuron style ones.

I think if you talk to people who have used BOTH the Xuron type of cutters, AND the God Hand cutters, you will find there is most definitely a consensus, In fact I would be surprised if you found anyone who would consider them even close. The GH cutters are much more expensive of course, I thought they were well worth the money. One of the better tools I have ever purchased, they are worth the price in my opinion.

I use the Plato cheap Chinese for rough works,buy 5 on the bay cheap as chips and they works like the xuron,keep one pair for plastic and one for metal (copper wire etc...),but for virtually no sanding job's the God Hand...and they are really "God Hand",amazed how good they cut on styrene,like butter...

I just got a set of DSPIAE cutters, and they are amazing. I have had other brands, including Xuron, and this new set are just the best I have ever had.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/DSPIAE-ST-A-Single-Blade-Nipper-2-0-HRC-58-64-Craft-Tools-Modeling-Use-with-Box/202597097174?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20180124145912%26meid%3D7007c3d196414abdb78b3dfc9a67fe78%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dlo%26sd%3D153192042834%26itm%3D202597097174&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

In the case of side cutters, I do believe you get what you pay for. I’ve used Tamiya ones for years and think they are great, but were always some of the more expensive ones. I still use them, but they have since been surpassed by God Hand and DSPIAE (also released by Meng), which are around twice the price of Tamiya. Either of these are well worth the cost. I tried both, and my preference is God Hand, but there is very little difference and both are the same price,

I just ordered the Dspiae set. Looking forward to giving them a go. I also ordered their micro drill set. Just waiting for them to come in.

Tamiya 74123 are the best cutters that I've ever used!!! I have all the cheap ones and they don't even come close to the Tamiya cutters!!!

Same. They are narrow enough to get into some really tight spaces. They cut incredibly close and smooth. Good value for your money imho.

I’ve been using Tamiya Sharp Pointed Side Cutter NO.123 for about a year now and hands down the best I’ve ever had. I may spring for a set of God Hands some day just to see if they are really all that.

I absolutely understand wanting value for money. I have a tendency to try multiple items until I find what meets my needs. I have the Meng (DSPIAE), the Tamiya 123, the Gundam Planet, the Xuron and none of them are as good as my set God Hand SPN 120 cutters. I have no doubt that other cutters by each of those brands may work superbly, but of the ones I personally own the other brands don’t come close.

If I dropped mine tomorrow and broke the blades on my GH nippers, I’d be online within 10 minutes ordering a replacement set.

Cheers,
Paul H

I still use Xurons because I view sprue cutters as roughing tools. I don't care how cleanly they seem to cut, there is always work to be done on nubs, mold edges, flash, corners, and faying surfaces to get a good fit.

KL

not always,i building a WnW kit and many parts are so well moulded They dont need any work at all exept were you need to cut an with GH i simply cut and glue,no sand no nothing stait from the sprue to the model

I'm with Kurt - cutters are, for the large part, roughing tools. Any cutter which cuts the plastic pretty cleanly and where you want it cut works for me. I'm usually going to sand, trim, or otherwise improve the part beyond simply cleaning up the cut attachment point before adding it to the build, so I'm much more concerned with not damaging the part by torquing it with a cutter (thus a flush cutter is better...) or cutting too close to it then I am with trying to get a minimal attachment remnant that "may not" need to be sanded off.

And so cheap, sharp cutters are GREAT, IMHO! I cannot see spending 15 - 20 - 25 USD on a tool for a job which can be done very well and reliably by a 3 USD tool!

But that IS just my opinion and preference - Cheaper tools usually work fine for me, as I learn how to make the tool do what I want it to, but I firmly believe that each of us modelers should use whatever tools and techniques which fit BEST and achieve what one wants them to. There are LOTS of options out there!

Bob

Another plus for GH cutters are because don’t stress the plastic no more flying pieces...let’s the carpet monster starve!!!!...