Good source for top quality small tools???

[Michael Scarborough]

Hello, all,

OK...ready to jump whole hog into serious rigging. Apparently, I need two sets of really fine tweezers as well as a set of snips or scissors to cut the excess rigging.

Can anyone recommend brand names and a source in the CONUS? I'm looking for top quality items that I will only need to purchase once. So, German, Canadian, Swiss or American made, please...anything except Chinese. Love the culture, love the food, love my Chinese neighbors....otherwise, what they sell is garbage.

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

[Michael Scarborough]

Guten Abend, Baron,

Do you have a brand name or image of the side cutter pliers??

Thanks for the quick response,
Michael

[coyotemagic]

Hey, Michael!  Here's a good place to start.
http://www.micromark.com/default.aspx?ns_md=cpc&ns_sc=AdWords&ns_cn=WK_Brand&gclid=CNWz2uilksICFYZbfgodcoYA4Q
They're an excellent source for all sorts of supplies.  I struggled with a rather nasty batch of Roden decals once and, out of desperation, ordered Champ Decal-Set from them.  Worked like a champ.
Cheers,
Bud

[Des]

I use only monofilament for rigging and found that womens cuticle cutters work great, they are extremely sharp and are flush cutting, the ones I use cost me around $30 and I purchased them from my local chemist/pharmacy/drug store.

Des.

[uncletony]

Tamiya side cutters are excellent as has been noted. A must.  Xuron makes excellent PE scissors and tweezer-nose pliers. I probably have twenty pairs of tweezers, but only one pair I really like, and which I use All The Time -- unfortunately I have no idea where I got them nor any idea of the brand. Micromark sells a spring action precision scissor meant for decals that is great for rigging, decals, all sorts of stuff (but don't use them on metal or plastic!)

[Ernie]

I use Xuron side cutters and PE snipper.  Self locking tweezers are very handy, but
my favourite and the ones I use most are a couple of pairs of tweezers that I got
off ebay for peanuts, and no peanuts for postage.  One tool I wouldn't be without
for rigging is my jewelers adjustable vice.  Not expensive and worth it's weight in gold.

Cheers,
Ernie

[Michael Scarborough]

Ya see...now that's what I'm tawkin' about...ya ax a question, ya get a LOTTA answers...and all helpful. Youz guys are growin' on me.

Tremendously helpful, gents and much appreciated!

I've not bought any of the Tamiya tools being concerned they were not up to the same standards as "real" tools but these endorsements sound pretty jake. I may pop into Manhattan to one of the jewelers supplies just to see what the big bucks would bring.

Cheers from Queens...where a number of my neighbors actually speak just like that,
Michael

[nmroberto]

I had a mishap a few years ago and when I was in the emergency room getting stitched up I noticed the instruments they were using.  Apparently they just throw them away when finished so I asked the doc if I could have them.  They work great although I wouldn't suggest gashing your hand just to get some tools.

[Michael Scarborough]

Thanks Robert......I'll bear this in mind but will do my best to avoid that particular source....been there, done that twice...third time's the charm and I fear would mean a new profession for me.

Ugh!

Fears from NYC,
Michael

[Umlaufmotor]

Take a look on this side, Michael.
This is a very gut cutting tweezer, brilliant to cut the wire exactly behind the glue.

http://www.hoffmann-tools.com/handwerkzeuge/72-kabelbearbeitung/schneidpinzette-100-mm.html?listtype=search&searchparam=schneidepinzette#.VHNRKmh0yHs

Servus
Bertl

[Michael Scarborough]

Danke, danke, Bertl....only, that looks just like the tool the Moel uses at a Bris! Oi Vey!

PS Bertl...you mentioned a little while back that you take your Gotha kit from the shelf once a month and drool on it. I am afraid to ask what you will do with the Felixstowe kit.

You are right, Bo, McMasters is right up my alley......I'll be sure to bill it all to you, dear friend.

Many thanks to all for the help! I am taking Thanks giving off from work and, once that bird ifs stuffed and in the oven, it will be to Pup-ville for me.

[Umlaufmotor]

Yes Michael, once a month the Gotha-box is opened.
The Felixstowe-kit?
Hmm - how much drool can produce a human?

Servus aus Bayern
Bertl

[Michael Scarborough]

Frankly, I'm not sure I want to find out, dude. (You can always ask Dr. Pavlov.) Perhaps the Felizstowe should be a group build so you will not have to drool too long once it arrives??

Tschüss from NYC,
Michael

[ALBATROS1234]

micro mark has tools ive never seen anywhere else. a tad pricey at times but good stuff.

[jknaus]

Oops, put this in the wrong place at first.
The best tweezers I have found were in the ladies section at the drug store. They are by Tweezerman. I use the slanted one for almost everything and it is especially good for bending small pe pieces.
http://www.tweezerman.ca/store/product/fashion-color-slant-tweezer/

These are expensive but very very strong and my fav.
I also have the point tweezers and again cant say enough.
http://www.tweezerman.ca/store/product/pink-perfection-point-tweezer-1/

Dont be put off by the pink as they come in other colours also and after a couple of airbrush sessions you wont notice anyways.
James