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I've noticed a ton of people posting models that they've mentioned have had some degree of cutting done (arms and legs seem common). How exactly does that work? I've sniped the hands off a couple bolters when I needed one part or the other for something (you'd think in a sprue that already contains like twice the number of parts you need, a lefty bolt pistol might be there, but nooooo), but said snipping was kinda hard one whatever part I wasn't using, and I usually had to sand and trim up the first part a bit anyway. I'm fairly sure this same method won't work on stuff like arms that you need both halves nicely intact for, so how does cutting thing that actually work?

I am not really sure, but I have seen people use tiny fine saws. The body is like an upside down U shape with the fine blade at the bottom.

I hope this is what you are talking about, I am not so sure. I will keep my eye on this thread since I would really like to know the proper way of doing it as well.

I think you're looking for a Jewelers Saw, I've never personally used one, though i'd imagine that's what people are using. I have used the old GW razor saw but it looks like they don't sell it anymore

Sometimes just clippers if you don't particularly need the other half. A good knife or two, and a bit of care. Tiny saws. I have little etched-metal saw blades that fit in a swann-morton handle up to a 4.5" blade that fits in a heavy-duty knife handle. Excel I think, or X-acto.

Knives and the smallest saw bladesget used most, on plastic minis. There's usually a bit of trimming and cleaning involved, anyway.

Jewellers saw / razor saw.
Note that you do loose some material so you'll never end up with 2 parts that'll go back together perfectly.

 bubber wrote:
Jewellers saw / razor saw.
Note that you do loose some material so you'll never end up with 2 parts that'll go back together perfectly.

Alright, well at least now I know what tool I'm actually supposed to use.

A little bit of an odd fit shouldn't be an issue, or at least not one that green stuff can't fix. And it's certainly better than my plan B of taking two arms, cutting one in half and filing back the edges, and then cutting the middle of the second arm to replace that section, and frankenstiening all the bits together.

GW may not sell a razor saw anymore, but X-acto and other mobs still do.
Different blade heights and tpi, too.

For things like hands/arms on infantry, I just use a sharp fresh blade in my knife (and care). Larger models get the saw - metals get the dremel.

Your father's Jewelers Saw. This is the tool of a Modeler. Not as clumsy or random as a Dremel. An elegant tool... for a more civilized hobby.

 Battlegrinder wrote:
I've noticed a ton of people posting models that they've mentioned have had some degree of cutting done (arms and legs seem common). How exactly does that work? I've sniped the hands off a couple bolters when I needed one part or the other for something (you'd think in a sprue that already contains like twice the number of parts you need, a lefty bolt pistol might be there, but nooooo), but said snipping was kinda hard one whatever part I wasn't using, and I usually had to sand and trim up the first part a bit anyway. I'm fairly sure this same method won't work on stuff like arms that you need both halves nicely intact for, so how does cutting thing that actually work?

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=55600&cat=1,42884 Lee Valley Tools, source of everything awesome, including razor saws.