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Micro chisels
Topic Started: Apr 30 2018, 02:41 PM (268 Views)
jvenables
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Hawk
[ * ]
I have often thought of buying one or more micro chisels to add to my tool box. It is a tool that I probably would not use much (I've managed to get by for the last 50-odd years of modelling without one) but I think it would be invaluable on certain occasions.

I was just doing a little internet trawling to see what is available at what prices and I see there are various different blade shapes - square, rounded, diamond, etc.

Having never used one, I know nothing about the tool, so can someone advise me of the merits of the various shapes?

And if I was to purchase two or three micro chisels, what blade shapes and sizes would be most useful for modelling at 1/72 scale?
James from Brisbane, Australia
Now living in Laos

Nil illegitimi carborundum
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Chuck1945
Hero
[ * ]
Hopefully someone with more relevant experience will chime in here. I have one from Micro-Mark but it is 'micro' only if compared to a 1" wood-working chisel. Without going downstairs and measuring, I'm thinking the blade width is ~3/16" or so. The blade has a flat bottom with slightly rounded corners. The rounded corners do help the blade from digging in or gouging at the edges. I have a vague recollection of having another, more micro than the bigger one, but obviously have not used it enough to even remember for sure if I actually have it ^_^

50+ years ago I used a small flat head screwdriver (maybe 1/16"?) and an X-Acto to gouge out the main gear bays of the ancient Hawk 1/72 Bf 109G but I don't think that counts. :haha:
Chuck
Eastern WA, USA
Finished 2018:
Eduard Spitfire IXc, VIII, Monogram/Starfighter BFC-2
On the active bench:
Eduard Bf 110C, Hasegawa B-24D, SH P-40E
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peebeep
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Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious
[ * ]
I've got a couple of the Trumpeter chisels, they're relatively inexpensive. I only have the normal blades, although I'd guess the diamond shapes would be good for getting into tight corners.
www.locate-and-cement.com
Locate and Cement website
RevellAtions
Bring me my chariot of fire
Paul Brown, Chelmsford, UK Posted Image
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woody
Hero
[ * ]
I have two I made, one is 3/32" wide and the other is about 1/32" wide. I'd say I use them about once or twice per build, when you need to square up a little corner they can't be beat.
Cheers,
Woody
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Graeme H
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Hero
[ * ]
Like you James, I have got by without them for all my modelling life (started '55 or '56), but last weekend I was as at our model group meeting and had been working on the AMK Kfir, and having a lot of trouble getting the lower wing to sit down properly, and sort of worked out that the Intake bullets and mount, which are quite long just wouldn't let me get the narrow forward part of the gun trough which is part of the lower wing to sit down no matter how much I was sanding.

The guy next to me offered up his chisels,the particular chisel was about 4mm wide with a flat bottom, and a curved channel on top no idea what brand, but as I was trying to remove plastic from a 2mm wide part butted up to another part, it was very hard, the chisel did it in about 5 minutes, of me learning how to use, I was very impressed.

Very good for getting into tight spaces, I was amazed at its ability to remove plastic the control was much better than I expected, I sort of expected it to dig in and gouge, but it was quite smooth, not sure that I can see me using any on a regular basis though.

For our purposes I thing the 2 sizes Woody mentions would be about all you would need.

Also I guess the big issue is down the track, and how does one sharpen them, I would think using a stone on the flat part should do it,
Graeme
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SkyKing
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
I have a Mission Models Micro Chisel which I find perfect for 99% of my modeling work (1/72 aircraft and 1/700 ships). It comes with a 2 mm chisel tip, but a 1 mm tip replacement set is available. I don't know where you would find it in your part of the world, but one US vendor is Sprue Brothers:

MMS009 Mission Models Micro-Chisel #MM09
Edited by SkyKing, Apr 30 2018, 09:38 PM.
Michael McMurtrey
IPMS-USA #1746
IPMS-Canada #1426
Carrollton, TX
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Chuck1945
Hero
[ * ]
To add onto my earlier response, I visited the MicroMark site afterwards and see they have two chisels. The one I have is probably the 4mm version. see here I have used it quite successfully to remove unwanted exterior stuff but it is rather large (long) and not very convenient for more constrained fuselage interiors. I would not recommend it
Chuck
Eastern WA, USA
Finished 2018:
Eduard Spitfire IXc, VIII, Monogram/Starfighter BFC-2
On the active bench:
Eduard Bf 110C, Hasegawa B-24D, SH P-40E
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stimpy
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Is It Safe?..... Nope
[ * ]
Chuck1945
Apr 30 2018, 11:08 PM
To add onto my earlier response, I visited the MicroMark site afterwards and see they have two chisels. The one I have is probably the 4mm version. see here I have used it quite successfully to remove unwanted exterior stuff but it is rather large (long) and not very convenient for more constrained fuselage interiors. I would not recommend it
I have that one, I've used it a lot, though normally it's to remove raised details on model trains though it's very useful for removing/thinning internal fuselage surfaces. It doesn't bite and gouge the surface but runs smoothly. I've been meaning to buy some smaller ones too.....
No more plastic
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dixieflyer
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Hero
[ * ]
stimpy
May 1 2018, 09:25 PM
Chuck1945
Apr 30 2018, 11:08 PM
To add onto my earlier response, I visited the MicroMark site afterwards and see they have two chisels. The one I have is probably the 4mm version. see here I have used it quite successfully to remove unwanted exterior stuff but it is rather large (long) and not very convenient for more constrained fuselage interiors. I would not recommend it
I have that one, I've used it a lot, though normally it's to remove raised details on model trains though it's very useful for removing/thinning internal fuselage surfaces. It doesn't bite and gouge the surface but runs smoothly. I've been meaning to buy some smaller ones too.....
To add to what Stimpy and Chuck said, I too have this one from Micro-Mark. I've used it to remove unwanted interior detail in and Eduard Nieuport and a Tamiya Zero. It performed very well. I like the length and weight, found it easy to control. Any errors, splooges, mistakes, etc are due to my ham-fistedness.

Recommended. No connection, just a satisfied customer.

Warren
"History is the lie we all agree upon."
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peebeep
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Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious
[ * ]
Graeme H
Apr 30 2018, 09:28 PM
Also I guess the big issue is down the track, and how does one sharpen them, I would think using a stone on the flat part should do it,
Use an oilstone, I have one from a previous incarnation as a carpenter and joiner. It's double sided, coarse on one side, fine on the other, although I'd think you'd only need the fine for sharpening these miniature tools. Also, if you're buying one you'd only need a small stone.

These are the Trumpeter micro chisels:

Posted Image

One is 1mm width, the other 2mm, rather smaller than the tools I used ti use working on construction sites. So far I've used them mostly for cleaning up moulding seam lines on small parts and figures.

Posted Image

This thread prompted me to buy the diamond and elliptical chisels - I'm a tool junky, I'm sure they'll be useful...for something. ;)
www.locate-and-cement.com
Locate and Cement website
RevellAtions
Bring me my chariot of fire
Paul Brown, Chelmsford, UK Posted Image
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Chuck1945
Hero
[ * ]
peebeep
May 1 2018, 11:31 PM

...

This thread prompted me to buy the diamond and elliptical chisels - I'm a tool junky, I'm sure they'll be useful...for something. ;)
I've not seen diamond or elliptical
Chuck
Eastern WA, USA
Finished 2018:
Eduard Spitfire IXc, VIII, Monogram/Starfighter BFC-2
On the active bench:
Eduard Bf 110C, Hasegawa B-24D, SH P-40E
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jvenables
Member Avatar
Hawk
[ * ]
Thanks for all those replies. It was the Trumpeter ones that I was looking at but I naturally assumed that Micro Mark would have a reasonable assortment too.

One of the replies gave me an idea: before I buy any, I think I'll try making my own. I have a bunch of old chainsaw files that are no good for the chainsaw but would probably be the bees knees as a basis for a micro chisel. Careful shaping with an angle grinder and then final polishing/sharpening on an oil-stone should work OK. I could probably make a few double-ended chisels in different shapes & sizes.

What got me wondering about micro chisels is the HobbyBoss F4U-1D that is sitting on my bench in a dry-assembled state. It has quite ugly rocket rails + rockets that just don't look right to my eye and I'll build it without them. But this leaves eight large slots in the wing underside. I reckon they will be best filled by gluing the rocket rails in, then chopping off the rockets with a razor saw and tidying up the protruding plastic - I thought a micro chisel might be best for this type of job.
James from Brisbane, Australia
Now living in Laos

Nil illegitimi carborundum
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