Clean up small parts that have to come off the spruce. I’m always worried they will ping out out of tweezers so there must be a better way?
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If its possible glue a bit of sprue to somewhere on the part that wont be seen and snip off later.
Stuff the part in blue tack leave just the bit you need to clean exposed.
I have put masking on the end of my tweezers before, seems to stop the bit pinging out quite so easily but still a risk. -
WELL Mick i cant think of better way like Mark says in tweezzers is always a risk i some time cut the small part off the sprue an file the surface to be gluded nice an flat an then with my C/A they have a very tiny pipe that can be fitted to the glue end an i put about a pin head of glue to the part an then glue an fit it to where it should go an then gently break the C/A part an as its only a pin head of glue it wont be seen as to small an then paint an no fear of the carpet monster gettin its lunch lol
chrisbComment
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A real problem Mick which I'm sure we all have.
..... and they never seem to go in the direction you think they went!!
I certainly have no answer except I keep my finger nails slightly longer than I would normally to help grip tiny parts. Also if a part does ping into space I search systematically and if the part isn't found I hoover the area. Remember to start with an empty hoover otherwise you'll have to search through a pile of fluff, crumbs and dog hair to find the errant part.Comment
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Small spring clamps like these. The soft rubber tips tend to grip small parts better and reduce pingage.Si vis pacem, para bellum.Comment
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I clean up as best I can still on the sprue. If it needs more and can be done, I attach it to the next part and make it bigger. = easier to hold.
Failing that I stick it to a pin or bit of sprue.Comment
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Where possible I glue them in place then clean them up when dry and secure.Comment
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Many thanks gents for your input, the reason I posted was a couple of parts on my current build needed the cleanup on the attachment sideComment
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It depends on the part. Some I hold carefully between my fingers to clean up, others I press against my cutting mat with a finger, and for those too fragile, I do like Paul says: glue them in place first, and only clean up with a sharp knife once the glue has set. That’s an especially good method for things like grab handles on tank hatches, and similar long, thin bits that are only attached at one or two points but have attachment points in the middle.Comment
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Usually cut out the bit of sprue with them on so they are easier to hold and clean up. Only cut off the sprue when I’m nearly finished. DSPAIE nippers make the last cut quite clean as well so there is little to finish off.Comment
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I rely on mud to cover any bits left on the part .Comment
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I basically have no kind of tip to offer and suffer maybe more than most from this phenomenon,
but I do have Missus that can find any lost part in mere seconds....but ONLY after I have searched and cursed for at least 2o minutes:confounded:
Jim.Comment
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Sometimes, for whatever reason, we are ultimately forced to use tweezers.
I was cursing mine as the tips would twist and ping the part away.
Then my wife bought me a new pair. These do not suffer from the twisting problem.
They are AK Interactive AK-9161 HG Angled Tweezers and John has them in ScaleModelShop. They are brilliant!
JohnComment
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Take a pair of flat tweezers, c/a some 240 wet n dry to each of the faces, allow to dry and then trim by holding the jaws closed and using a knife to trim away the excess. Then you can hold your errant pieces reasonably safely.. Also when cleaning up place your hands inside one of the sprue bags or make a bigger one using selotape....
Hope this helps...
Mike.Comment
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