Manicure Tool for Modeling & Miniatures ??

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**Argive**

has anyone applied this?

Seen one video on youtube but the guy was comparing it to a dremel and it was a very low spec low cost tool he was using.

I'm struggling with being able to get into some nooks and crannies with the usual exacto/files. My GF mentioned using a thing for nails for models but not sure if it wold work.

Would be cool to have something the size of a pen rotating really fast to help get those curves on my Autarchs green stuffed helmet...Tried wrapping some fine paper around a pencil/file to try and get more of a point but didn't really work.

**Big Mac**

What blade are you using on your xacto knife? I use a 45 degree angle for regular use, then a 60 degree angle for small areas like what you’re having problems with.

**Argive**

Im sorry I dont understand the question. The blade that's being sold in the hobby shop? didint realise there was more than one type lol.

Its not that its a small area its that its curved and small its hard to explain. I green stuffed a crest onto a helmet and want to tidy it up and smooth it. Im a novice when it comes to working with greenstuff.

The point of the thread wasn't so much to look at a specific problem on 1 minature but to ask for experience regarding alternative tools for filing/sanding. Seems like a miniature sander would be perfect for getting a smooth finish on a small curved area that you can get to very well with sanding paper.

**kb_lock**

Just use a dremel?

**Stephanius**

One thing to keep in mind when looking at a dremel or similar tool is that these things typically have very high RPM. Even when using them on the lowest setting (5k RPM on mine) I need to be very careful not to melt plastic with the heat generated by the friction.

That is why using a tool with lower RPM can give better results. A cheap consumer battery powered drill has plenty of torque even at low RPM and typically a trigger that allows slow to fast speed depending on how far you pull it.

**Skinnereal**

I got the melting thing when using a Dremel to drill.
The kit came with sanding bits, some of which were pencil-shaped, for what you want to do.
If the manicure tool is at-all similar, try it.

https://uk.farnell.com/duratool/d00150/burr-set-diamond-30pc/dp/1712140?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2L7jBRCBARIsAPeAsaMPfsDAS8FNV3NqeZYKYtNs6jcrv875VT4ZctyCfgl2sgDXatqCnJAaAk4sEALw_wcB&gross_price=true&mckv=jEiQEVHi_dc|pcrid|78108376509|&CAWELAID=120173390000079331&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=14406255429&CMP=KNC-GUK-GEN-SHOPPING-1712140&CATCI=pla-61859544613

**queen_annes_revenge**

Argive wrote:
Im sorry I dont understand the question. The blade that's being sold in the hobby shop? didint realise there was more than one type lol.

Its not that its a small area its that its curved and small its hard to explain. I green stuffed a crest onto a helmet and want to tidy it up and smooth it. Im a novice when it comes to working with greenstuff.

The point of the thread wasn't so much to look at a specific problem on 1 minature but to ask for experience regarding alternative tools for filing/sanding. Seems like a miniature sander would be perfect for getting a smooth finish on a small curved area that you can get to very well with sanding paper.

If you plan on filing sculpted work, you should mix your GS with milliput. If you try to sand regular GS it often just scuffs it up due to the plasticity. if you mix with milliput 50/50, it will dry a lot harder, and can be filed, cut and sanded a lot easier.

**Rybrook**

I have a pack of 3 clay shapers/ wax carvers from hobbycraft
For sculpting/ filling these look like manicure tools

**Argive**

Skinnereal wrote:
I got the melting thing when using a Dremel to drill.
The kit came with sanding bits, some of which were pencil-shaped, for what you want to do.
If the manicure tool is at-all similar, try it.

https://uk.farnell.com/duratool/d00150/burr-set-diamond-30pc/dp/1712140?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2L7jBRCBARIsAPeAsaMPfsDAS8FNV3NqeZYKYtNs6jcrv875VT4ZctyCfgl2sgDXatqCnJAaAk4sEALw_wcB&gross_price=true&mckv=jEiQEVHi_dc|pcrid|78108376509|&CAWELAID=120173390000079331&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=14406255429&CMP=KNC-GUK-GEN-SHOPPING-1712140&CATCI=pla-61859544613

Wow 4.75 for the whole kit!? Im buying that.
A lot of those look very very useful.

So what delivery system can I use with that? A dremel? As someone mentioned would that not be too much output..?

**Mothsniper**

Dremel is all you need... there are many different bits... even a rotary cord with "pen"

If you need lower power perhaps this will work?
https://www.harborfreight.com/80-piece-rotary-tool-kit-97626.html

**Kalamadea**

The term you're looking for is "emery board", it's basically a large popsickle stick (can also be plastic or foam stick) with sandpaper glued to it. They're cheap and they're great, buy some (or buy sandpaper and make some, it's easy). Really useful for modeling, they have different grades of sandpaper attached depending on the finish you want and you have a lot of control with them. Obviously not a rotary tool, but a dremel is pretty overkill for most modelling applications

https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Nail-File-Set-Professional/dp/B01MRTO9BB/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_194_tr_t_2/135-3029472-6762340?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JATAHD23GXDXMT9Y1TEP

**Argive**

Kalamadea wrote:
The term you're looking for is "emery board", it's basically a large popsickle stick (can also be plastic or foam stick) with sandpaper glued to it. They're cheap and they're great, buy some (or buy sandpaper and make some, it's easy). Really useful for modeling, they have different grades of sandpaper attached depending on the finish you want and you have a lot of control with them. Obviously not a rotary tool, but a dremel is pretty overkill for most modelling applications

https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Nail-File-Set-Professional/dp/B01MRTO9BB/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_194_tr_t_2/135-3029472-6762340?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JATAHD23GXDXMT9Y1TEP

I already had a plethora of files, sanding paper etc. And they are great to working on exposed areas if you can get the mobility for sure.
I'm always looking for alternatives. Why not use a machine to do the same task faster and better if possible? I was very reluctant towards airbrushes coz it felt like cheating but I just don't care. Anything that helps can take my money lol.

**queen_annes_revenge**

Nothing is cheating. I don't understand that thought process. Particularly airbrushes, which are probably harder to use properly than normal brushes.

**Argive**

Yeah dont know. I think its some sort of mental barrier to try and prove to my 10 year old self that 'i can paint good'. brushes only as brushes were the only thing available at the time? Resistance to change? God knows... ive cured myself from that way of thinking anyway.

Update: i got a mini dremel thing and a set of end bits. The end bits i bought are too thick though so will have to order a new dremel dow the line as they look very useful considering what i got with the stuff the dremel came with.

I had a play with it to neaten up my pseudo autarch and wraithlord. The results are outstanding! Will post some p9cs once i have time to re-prime. Will probably use for 90% of projects moving forward. Absolutely perfect for removing those pesky sprue bumps left over from cutting. I always seem to snag and chip away when trying to remove those with exacto if i cant get a file on there. Why this isint something recommended to people in the toolbox style youtube videos i cant fathom...

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07FF1HW47?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

I guess downside is the dust and cord lenght. Possibly wetting the end bit and the surface could fix that and cord is just specific issue to this specific tool fixed with an extension cord.

**kb_lock**

Dust is a big deal if it is resin - water tables and good respirators are the way to go.

I bought a relatively cheap jewellers tool from fleabay, it is surprisingly good once you get the chuck aligned properly - it has a foot control which allows for very low RPM

**Argive**

Yeah i have a mask i use when airbrushing and priming with rattlecans.

**kb_lock**

Make it a good mask though, resin dust is waaaay worse than paint particulate

**Argive**

its a good one for working with lacquers with filters etc.

**Argive**

Well heres a before and after pics. This took me litelry 1.30 minutes if not less...

Tbh i did kak it up and I will be getting rid of the head alltogether probably. But I think the tool works really well. Juts need practice. A lot lot quicker than conventional files IMO. Just needs a bit of practice and also will eb investing in a slightly better dremel with a longer lead and wider clamp for the different ends but I feel good about this life choice.

Sorry about the pics....