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Total noob question here, just bought my second ever box of 40k models, Khorne Berzerkers. They come with optional hands holding plasma pistols, but no extra arms with free hands, only ones already holding bolt pistols. I assume I have to cut or saw the hand off the wrist, is there a particular tool people prefer for this job? Or is there an easier way of doing this that I'm missing?

Yea it's a style GW liked to use.
You have to cut off a bolt pistols holding hand and swap it over.

Personally a stanley knife works perfectly as it's a nice clean cut.

Depending on the size, clippers or a xacto knife can do the job.

However, clippers tend to squeeze the plastic as it cuts, so it can damage the model.

And xacto knives can slip if you're dumb and will slice your fingers open (ask me how I know).

The best tool for cutting models cleanly for conversions is called a razor saw. highly recommend. A miter box is also nice for straight cuts on flat pieces.

https://www.amazon.com/Zona-35-550-010-Inch-Length-16-Inch/dp/B000BRESQY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1491328015&sr=8-3&keywords=razor+saw

Disclaimer first - be careful with sharp objects, always be thinking where your fingers and other necessary extremities are!

More modern kits don't require quite as much cutting, but the Berserker kit is a few years (or rather more) old at this point.

I would use an X-acto knife (or similar), cutting just above the end of the glove bit and then filing down the last mill with a small file.


Protect the surface underneath with a cutting mat.

Another way would be a fine razor saw.

Clippers are all right. Just make sure that the slanty bit is on the side you want cut off and you'll get a reasonably straight cut. I've never had problems.

Ghorros wrote:
Clippers are all right. Just make sure that the slanty bit is on the side you want cut off and you'll get a reasonably straight cut. I've never had problems.

This is true, especially for small things like pistols. But I do get a lot of use out of my razor saw, I think it's great.

Thanks all, wasn't expecting such quick replies. I was considering using my clippers but noticed the bolt pistols are attached to the forearm as well as the hand so two cuts would be needed and I didn't want to risk messing it up. I'll give it a go though if it works for others, if it goes wrong I'll try the Xacto knife and/or razor saw. I did buy a knife similar to the Xacto (and a cutting mat) but I must have got a cheap one because the blade seems way too flimsy for something like this.