Putting together my first kit, and all similar beginner tip/trick Reddit threads are dead to me 😤 So I’d love to get one going here! Any tips/tricks you have to help out??
Putting together my first kit, and all similar beginner tip/trick Reddit threads are dead to me 😤 So I’d love to get one going here! Any tips/tricks you have to help out??
If you’re going to buy anything for getting into gunpla, I think a really sharp pair of sprue cutters / nippers is the way to go. As you’ll quickly find out, cutting the little tabs off of parts can leave blemishes behind that you’ll want to minimize - especially if you aren’t going to paint or do any other finishing.
The godhand nippers are a bit expensive, but they work really well: https://www.amazon.com/GodHand-Ultimate-Nipper-SPN-120-GH-SPN-120-dp-B09T2K1RZY/dp/B09T2K1RZY
There’s also the “aluminum foil trick” to help sharpen whatever cutters you have on hand - fold some foil into a sheet of around 0.5cm thick and cut through it with the nippers. It’ll refresh the edge on the nippers for a while.
Never used single blade God hands before but from what I understand it’s recommended to not use it for cutting off runners and use a cheaper pair of nippers for that, but afterwards for close cuts? But, to avoid hard plastics like clear ones since it can break them?
Wanted to make sure for beginners which I am. I also saw people saying it can rust if not oiled or something?
Yeah, good clarification on the god hands. That is how I use mine, for the second cut.
Never had mine rust, though I keep them in a reasonably dry place.
I bought the Bandai “Entry Nipper” at the game store 😅 They’ve done the job, but something sharper would be nice! The aluminum foil trick is very good to know ✍
When cutting the sprue, should I cut as close to the piece as possible, or leave a bit of a nub and use a razor blade to remove it?
Depends on the part - I generally try and leave nubs on and then go back at them again with the sharpest thing I’ve got to make a clean cut. The Bandai nippers should be plenty sharp for both of those steps, I wouldn’t bother with a razor blade unless you really want to.
Adding onto this a little bit, An hobby knife like an X-Acto works well to remove the remaining tabs from the sprue, but risks are a higher chance of cutting yourself and gouging out too much plastic in the part.
I personally use files for finishing touches. I use those GodHand nippers to cut the part off the sprue, intentionally leaving a good amount remaining flash. I go back in with the nippers to cut off the flash and use a coarse file to smooth out the blemish, and a fine nail buffing file to get a smooth surface.
https://www.amazon.com/Makartt-Professional-Supplies-Pedicure-Manicure/dp/B0BGBKFBYK/ref=sr_1_18?crid=199WUMBAWJEML&keywords=nail+buffer+file&qid=1686869365&sprefix=nail+buffer+file%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-18
For some of the younger people I help out with kits, I tell them to use even a nail clipper to remove the flash and it has pretty decent results!