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~ Sunday, October 04, 2009 ~ |
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As many of you have come to appreciate, we've been pretty good at ferreting out
truly useful tools for ourselves, and when we find something we like really
well, we try to find a way to pass 'em on to you, our scale modeling friends,
for your enjoyment too!
You probably also know that we have an injection molding machine, (more than one, actually.), and this process requires we cut sprues from the parts it produces. One of our recent projects dictated that there would be 7 cuts per part. All of them 1/8" or larger. At between 550 and 600 parts per day, that would be 3500-4500 cuts EACH DAY. We needed a flush cutter that would stand up to this kind of punishment, and yet be comfortable to hold, plus predictable for repetitive use. 
CLICK THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE AND CONTINUE STORY... The red handled flush cutters you see here filled the bill. With their extremely comfortable handles they are predictable to hold and operate, and due to their hardened forged steel construction, they are fully up to the task of cutting thousands of parts without showing any signs of wear. ( Yes, our original pair is still in use. The only maintenance required has been a drop of oil at the pivot joint. And yes, you should do this too. ) Now we realize that you'll likely not be putting your cutters to this sort of test any time soon. If ever. But isn't it nice to know they're up to the task? But hey, since they worked so well on large plastic gates, we decided to try them out on rail. No problem ! We cut rail up to and including code 100. Whether the flat-backed, or the rounded back version, they did an equally stellar job of cutting rail nice and flush and leaving little to nothing to clean up with your file. (Of course, if your track laying technique requires the use of rail joiners, you will want to dress the rail's bottom flange slightly so the rail joiner can slide on easily. We also round the railhead slightly while we're at it. This is simply good practice as it not only lessens the opportunity of a wheelset "catching" on the joint, but it goes a long way towards preventing nasty cuts while sliding your finger along the rails to check for burrs or high spots. Ouch. ) What's the difference between the "Flat Backed" and the "Rounded Back" versions? Well, as far as their ability to effect clean, residue free, 100% flush cuts, there is no difference. However, the rounded back version ( PBL-841 ) seems to us to be easier to use when de-spruing parts. You just seem to "know where they are" on rounded or uneven surfaces. To us it seems like the flat-backed version ( PBL-840 ) requires more "thought" as to where it's placed, making it the tracklayer's perfect companion. These things in mind, it doesn't hurt to add that, as with ANY TRUE FLUSH CUTTING PLIER, the cutting of hard wire or screws or bolts is off limits. Oh sure, you might get by with it once or twice, but unless you have use for a new "wire stripper", stay away from the hard stuff or that's exactly what you'll end up with! A nicely formed round "notch" in your beautiful new, supposedly flush cutting pliers. And steer clear of cutting flat stock. Like avoid the temptation to cut that .032" X 1/2" piece of K&S brass. That's a job for sheet metal shears. Not flush cutters. Used wisely, these may very well be the last flush cutters you'll ever need to purchase ! They're that good ! 
CLICK THIS PHOTO TO SEE OUR NEW "SUPER SHEARS !"
Phone 707-462-7680 to talk to a real person. Really !
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