Putting together my first kit, and all similar beginner tip/trick Reddit threads are dead to me ๐ค So I'd love to get one going here! Any tips/tricks you have to help out??
this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2023
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Mobile Suit Gundam
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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.
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!