Removing detail

You could use either a SHARP Xacto chisel blade or a Dremel. A sharp blade requires less effort, so is easier to handle. Anyway finesse and a no-rush attitude are your friends. Also remember to keep body parts out of the path (don't ask).

Micro-Mark's Modeler's Chisel

George,

It isn't cheap, but sometimes  a tool is worth the price.  I haven't had any personal experience with this, but it looks like what you may need.  It's available from Micro-Mark and the description says"

Modeler's Chisel Removes Plastic Details You Don't Want

"Upgrade your injection molded plastic models by removing the unsightly, out-of-scale details manufacturers sometimes include. Now you can eliminate handrails, rivet heads, seam lines, chrome trim, hood ornaments and other unwanted details easily. The 4mm wide, hand ground cutting edge has slightly rounded corners so you won't gouge adjacent areas. And the no-slip handle and hefty feel give you precise control over the cutting force. Made exclusively for Micro-Mark of polished, surgical quality stainless steel. Ideal for use on miniature woodworking projects as well. Approx. 6-1/2 inches long."

Here's the link

http://www.micromark.com/4mm-Plastic-Modelers-Chisel,7584.html

And the picture:

Hope this helps.

Rick

X-acto

Somewhere around here I have a flat X-acto blade with the edges rounded off to prevent gouging plastic. Used with the bevel side down, it's very effective at lifting molded-on plastic details.

Re: Another Tool Question

Thanks Rick.  That tool is currently on sale for $14.95 at Micro-Mark.  I'm still wondering if it's worth the money or does the chisel blade with rounded corners as Joe mentioned work equally as well? 

Anyone have experience with this tool?

Thanks to all who've responded so far.

George

Tool question

I have had success with using a Tweezer Sprue Cutter to remove details. They are able to get in close and flush cut details. They are also available at Micro-Mark

http://www.micromark.com/Tweezer-Sprue-Cutter-Despruing-Tweezer,8012.html

Good Luck

Bill B.

gotta get me one

Good to know about that sale; I forgot to order one of those detail removers with my last Micro-Mark order.  I've been meaning to get one of them.  A chisel blade can do a lot of that sort of thing, if you have a steady hand and room to work, but the Micro-Mark tool is narrower and more solid, which gets into tighter spots and gives more control.

I'm cheap!

Being the tight-wad that I am, I don't like paying $15+shipping for a chisel.  I have had excellent results with a good old X-acto #17 chisel blade.  The key to getting good results, though, it to have it SHARP!  Rather than replacing the blade after every few uses, I sharpen mine.  I lay a sheet of 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper on a flat surface, and hone the blade - back first to flatten it, then the bevel.  A drop of water or light oil (like kerosene) helps a lot.  With this technique, I've been using the same chisel blade for many months now - maybe years.  I really can't remember when I replaced it.  Hand sharpening does tend to round the corners a little, which is good for preventing gouging.

If I needed to get into a really tight space, I'd carefully grind away part of the width of the blade with a Dremel tool, or buy a narrower blade.  After shaping, I'd re-sharpen the blade to remove any burrs that could damage the surface.

Micro Mark Chisel

I have this tool. It works better than any blade I've tried. Worth the money if you plan on removing a lot of details off your rolling stock.

Tape on the blade

I might have to try that Micro Mark tool.  It looks good.  One thing I've done in the past is wrap masking tape around the various x-acto blades leaving only a small part of the blade exposed to help me not nick anything I don't want to come off.