Unexpected conversion tools..

[Kith]

I was wondering what other people have been using for precision cutting on miniatures when performing conversions.

A long time ago I decided to buy a bonsai tool kit in which (after I gave up on trying to grow little trees) several of the most useful tools I\'ve ever found were contained within. The wire cutters, shears and leaf cutters have been useful; but the professional high carbon grade concave cutters have been the best metal cutting tool I have ever found. The funny thing is I just got frustrated trying to seperate something one day and grabbed them just to see what they could do.

The way the blade is shaped allows you to make small precise cuts, and avoid snipping off pieces you want to keep on models. It is also more useful for removing larger pieces of flash as I find it less dangerous than carving with an exacto knife. I guess the downside is that it can be destructive as it channels metal out of the way into the concave area.

Anyway, does anyone else out there have any unexpected tools?

 

[finn17]

Surprise tools....?

Err...electric toothbrushes...bits of lead sprue put in paint bottles...popsicle moulds....ultrasonic jewellery cleaners...large make-up brushes.

That will have to do for starters

 

[Kith]

I guess I\'m fishing for ideas on precision metal cutting.. But what do you use the ultrasonic jewelry cleaners for?

 

[finn17]

Metal cutting...?

I have to say the only secret I know is the \'HTT06 XURON TRACK CUTTER SHEARS\' available from Heresy miniatures. I bought a pair of these and swear by them. I have managed to screw them however by attempting to cut a large sea-fishing hook with them, but for normal modelling work they are the \'bees knees\'.

Find them on:

http://www.heresyminiatures.com/

I have tried to use an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner to facilitate stripping painted minis. My experience so far however, have not been that impressive.

 

[QuietiManes]

For snipping stuff off the sprue etc I use some clippers much like finn17 suggested. For cutting limbs and heads off when I want to keep all the parts I usually use a jewellers/marquetry saw with a fine blade, if there\'s lots of room I will sometimes use a razor saw just so the cut is straiter.

 

[UncleHex]

I\'ve been known to bite the heads off minis while doing conversions when I\'ve lost my snips. (even though I only put them down a second ago next to the hammer which has also decided to grow legs and elope with the pin-vice out of my sight.....damn pixies, they stole a half full can of larger last week....excuse me, I think I left the lid off the thinners again....)

 

[Trevor]

No you\'re right, those damn pixies get everywhere, its unreal. I swear I\'m followed around by a whole swarm of them...

 

[finn17]

Aha!!

Originally posted by UncleHex
...damn pixies, they stole a half full can of larger last week....excuse me, I think I left the lid off the thinners again....)

So that\'s your secret for getting so much detail in your sculpts...Cunning application of \'larger\'.

I don\'t need pixies in my house. My bull terrier has developed a taste for beer and will go to great lengths to \'accidentally\' spill my pint, just so he can lick it up...Gonna have to book him into the Priory at this rate

 

[DennisMech]

Originally posted by Trevor
No you\'re right, those damn pixies get everywhere, its unreal. I swear I\'m followed around by a whole swarm of them...

Yeh, I have pixie problems too, I put something down and 2 seconds later it\'s gone.

 

[Cerridwyn1st]

Originally posted by finn17

I don\'t need pixies in my house. My bull terrier has developed a taste for beer and will go to great lengths to \'accidentally\' spill my pint, just so he can lick it up...Gonna have to book him into the Priory at this rate

Hm, well, no beer guzzling-canines here, but my cats have developed a fondness for drinking my paint water...

On the actual subject at hand, can\'t say I\'ve had too many unusual cutting implements. I am amazed at what a nice, shiny surface you can get on Green Stuff if you smooth it with Astroglide...

And those little plastic thingies that flavored cream come in? Great little disposable paint holders. Hey, you were going to throw them away anyway, right?

 

[Nomis]

Originally posted by UncleHex
I\'ve been known to bite the heads off minis

Ah! the Ozzy Osbourne of mini makers!lol

 

[Kith]

I\'ve never used my teeth for conversions, but I have been known to force bend metal with my hands. Cutting yourself like that hurts but most of the time when using pliers, even with padding the metal will cinch or crimp. Then I guess the question is which minis are \"blooded\".

 

[Strongbad]

I tend to just bend most stuff and use very few tools when converting
i always have odd bits lying around to prop things up, anything from my incense bowl to other minis

 

[DennisMech]

yes, I too contruct the most bizare things to prop up a drying mini, it\'s quite a fun balancing act, though when it goes wrong there is always a good deal of swearing and glued fingers.

 

[Strongbad]

oh god don\'t even get me started on how many times things have collapsed for me....


minis, that is

 

[Kith]

Yeah there is nothing like having a mini set up with bits of this and that prop it up; then pulling your hand away with half of the figure attached to it.