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Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:54 pm
by BlackSheep214
What brand is the best to use? So far I've seen some brands are better than others. Xuron, Tamiya, etc... I've been shopping around trying to figure which one cuts PE pieces the best.

Re: Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:39 am
by Thomas_M
So far I use neither of the two you mentioned. I still have a special pair of scissors from my first profession in the graphics industry, that I use to cut PE from the fret. I also use a round blade to seesaw the attachments through.

I would love to get my hands on this special Xuron cutter, but could not find it so far here in Germany.

Hint: I use Tamiya´s diamont file to clean the burr from the PE part. One of the best investments I made!

Re: Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 8:47 am
by BlackSheep214
Yeah, I've been eyeing the diamond file as well.

Re: Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 11:31 am
by jkim
I use a knife blade and simply pinch the PE fret against a cutting board.

Re: Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 11:54 am
by LyleW
I just twist them off and throw the piece on the floor. Saves time.


Just kidding.

Re: Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 10:51 pm
by Fermis
LyleW wrote:I just twist them off and throw the piece on the floor. Saves time.
:giggles: :giggles: :giggles: :headslap:



I keep two exacto knives on the bench...one new and one old. I use the older/dull blade for cutting the parts free. Working on a glass surface, so there's something solid underneath makes it work. A light sanding get rid of what little bur is left.

Re: Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 3:03 am
by Thomas_M
:mrgreen:

Re: Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 10:42 am
by BlackSheep214
After a bit of searching and YouTube video ideas, I'm gonna go with using a curved Xacto blade instead. I may invest in a diamond file or try one of my grandfather's small files I acquired from his house years ago.

Re: Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 11:53 am
by Jeeves
I have a pair of Xuron sprue cutters that I love....but for PE, I use a no 10 blade which is what Blacksheep.mentions as the curved blade.

Re: Photo Etch cutters

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 11:05 am
by speedgraflex
Hi BlackSheep,

You have already made your decision but you and others may find this PDF useful!


http://www.paragrafix.biz/instructions/ ... 144dpi.pdf