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I had never used GW tools before, and need an advice from you guys. Should I get these lower quality clippers but with bonuses of paints etc. https://www.games-workshop.com/en-PL/40k-Paint-and-Tool-SetCA-2020 or these newest/best? quality ones https://www.games-workshop.com/en-PL/Citadel-Fine-Detail-Cutters ? I cannot decide so please tell me which ones would you recommend, and why.

If you're set on getting something from GW the set with paint is better value, although the clippers are mediocre (if they are the same that were the gift that came with the Conquest magazine).

I use a clipper from Faller that cost less than half of the GW clipper and it works fine. Are there modeling stores or online shops available to you? I would recommend to look for clippers there.

The cheap one is not particularly good. Got it as a gift and I'm not convinced.

TBH I regularly used a clipper from a local home depot store... Way cheaper, more sturdy.

So in short: if you want one from GW... take the quality one... Otherwise go shopping in a local shop.

P.S.: What I do like is the Mouldline Scrapper... That one is worth it...

The cheap ones are....barely adequate.

I got a pair with the 40K Conquest magazine, they cut, but arent very comfortable and i found them a little blunt.

The fine detail ones are much better, but I'm sure someone else could suggest a better, perhaps cheaper, alternative though.

 Viterbi wrote:

I use a clipper from Faller that cost less than half of the GW clipper and it works fine. Are there modeling stores or online shops available to you? I would recommend to look for clippers there.

Yeah, I can buy from online shops, and will, because I can get these GW ones cheaper there As to clippers from other companies - I was now simply looking to try GW ones.

SKR.HH wrote:

P.S.: What I do like is the Mouldline Scrapper... That one is worth it...

Really? I thought that was more of a beginners trap, as it seems super easy to do with a hobby knife. I never tried it, so I just worked on assumptions.
What I'm wondering too is if there are clippers that don't leave those pesky spots you have to file and scrape EVERY TIME. I also got a cheap set from faller, then tried one from Army Painter and both ALWAYS leave areas to remove.
I hate those way more than mold lines.

if you need the paints get the kit, if you dont get the fine detail clipper.

small notice, if you do or plan to do titanicus or AI (or any other 6-15mm game system), you need the fine detail, there is not enugh space between the sprue and part on thouse frames for a normal size clipper.

Get some quality electronics clippers, i bought one three years ago, and its still good.

GW tools are generally well made, but they have steadily become VERY expensive for what you get. If I were getting clippers for model work I'd get one of these (or of similar design)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Side-Hobby-Pliers-With-Comfortable-Grip-Cutters-Army-Painter-Metal-Precision/273397973953?hash=item3fa7ca03c1:g:8bQAAOSwbX5cYpQ0

Simply search for "hobby pliers side cutter" and you'll get loads. That design there (though with yellow instead of blue handles) was what GW used to sell for years and years. Heck my set are still going.

For the price you make a dramatic saving compared to the GW version and the functionality is the same. Plastics, resins and even white metals are all very sort for hobby work so the clippers won't come under heavy strain. Even if you do pinning with tougher model rods they will be thin rods so, again, its not that much power needed.

They are 2 different style of cutters.
The fancy one is easier to use for plastic, but I got none GW one for $10

The "lower quality clippers" is better for metal. (very very very soft metal!)

Statistx wrote:

SKR.HH wrote:

P.S.: What I do like is the Mouldline Scrapper... That one is worth it...

Really? I thought that was more of a beginners trap, as it seems super easy to do with a hobby knife. I never tried it, so I just worked on assumptions.

I thought so as well and didn't bothered to buy one... but I got one (--> the small one from the painter set... Don't know about the larger one...) with my Conquest subscription and I have to say that it is a neat little tool... Of course you can't scrape of any major cuts or mold lines but I came to appreciate it if you want to remove some mould lines over bend or highly detailed surfaces. It's not a sharpened tool per se... and with a knife I sometimes ran into trouble that I accidentally cut into a surface. Therefore it is a nce addition IMHO.

So if you can get one cheap... I'd say go for it.

AFAIK there are generally about three tiers of clippers

• Side cutter tier: The cheap stuff that's meant to be used for stripping electrical cable etc. I'd avoid unless money is seriously tight

• "Fine detail cutter" tier: GW fine detail cutters and other plastic model kit cutters from Tamiya etc. This is more expensive, but I'd say its worth the extra

• Gunpla Otaku tier: Stuff like Gundam & God Hand cutters. Only worth it if you are a very skilled modeller, these cutters are smooth like butter and leave the least marks on the cuts, but also break easily when exposed to people who dont know what they are doing. Only buy if you know you'll get full potential from them. These cutters are usually combined with other cutters for thicker plastic jobs etc

I'm thinking of getting those Tamiya branded cutters next. I tried replacing my 15yr old Citadel cutters with Army Painter ones, but the Army Painters were weak af so went back to using the Citadel.

And always remove bits from the sprue by erring on safety margin if you're unsure of your cutters' performance. You can always finish the cut with your modelling knife, whereas puttying up "clipper rash" caused by cutting too close with a subpar clipper is generally a PITA.

Another recommendation for the mold line remover tool. Don't sleep on it. I too used to scoff it and used my xacto blades, and always got subpar results whenever I changed to a fresh blade (accidental scratching of plastic). The moldline remover will never ever harm a plastic model like that, even when handled aggressively.

I have decided on fine detail clippers. Thanks guys for help

don't use GW clippers.
I use Xuron:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xuron-2175ET-Professional-Sprue-Cutter/dp/B001TMZ7QA
Well worth the price imo.
BTW i use the mould line remover, mostly on resin. it's making doing my chaos reaver titan much easier. i use it in conjunction with a swan morton scalpel & needle files.

 bubber wrote:
don't use GW clippers.
I use Xuron:

Seconded.

Id have to disagree with the idea electric flush cutters are lower quality than hobby brands fine detail cutters. Which are often rebranded. I use flush cutters at work to cut both wire and safety cable (braided steel) and they last just fine con sterling they are a $7 disposable tool.

These are the current ones I have:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07GR7QF63/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_inactive_ship_o1_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

GW clippers have a slight 'V' on the 'flat side', which leaves you with a little nugget sticking out on the piece. Because it's a substantial amount left over, it's a bit more filing work than if you had used a flush clipper (completely flat on the 'flat side')

I suspect this was done so that GW can push their filing tools line.

Go with the flush cutter as mentioned above.

I'd recommend a pair which don't have the GW markup.

After the recommendations I'm definitely gonna try that moldline scratcher.
Regarding the clippers: Anyone able to recommend something on the german amazon site?
The ones recommended here are only available for prices, where they make GW look like a dollar store.

I used a Faller and Army Painter before and as written above, I am not happy with either, since both leave a lot of material to shave.

Statistx wrote:
After the recommendations I'm definitely gonna try that moldline scratcher.
Regarding the clippers: Anyone able to recommend something on the german amazon site?
The ones recommended here are only available for prices, where they make GW look like a dollar store.

I used a Faller and Army Painter before and as written above, I am not happy with either, since both leave a lot of material to shave.

When you deal with spesific hobby branded tools, the price tag will allways be high for quality.
the cutter i use allso costs more then GWs fine detail cutter. (tamiya sharp pointed side cutter)

Between all of the ones I have tried which include most of the ones mentioned on this thread including the GW brand, these have been my favorite for the price;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M5AOPN6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are butter smooth, fit in spaces that the many others don't.

One of the best features is because the action is smooth and the handles have rubber grips, they do not cause the hand fatigue or discomfort that the other ones do.

 Lord of Deeds wrote:
Between all of the ones I have tried which include most of the ones mentioned on this thread including the GW brand, these have been my favorite for the price;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M5AOPN6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are butter smooth, fit in spaces that the many others don't.

One of the best features is because the action is smooth and the handles have rubber grips, they do not cause the hand fatigue or discomfort that the other ones do.

yeah, but not if the price is higher cause of 10-20 bucks of shipping
I am willing to buy more for a better cutter, but it should be for the item and not the stuff around it, hence why I asked if someone is able to recommend a brand in the german area.

 p5freak wrote:
Get some quality electronics clippers, i bought one three years ago, and its still good.

yup, or a good pair of lineman's wire clip pliers. both work really well. if you want to go high end and for something that will be really hard to tear up, go with diabetic toenail clippers (actual medical product, not the "el cheapo" they sell in department stores or pharmacy stores) those things will last for freaking ever and can even be sharpened.

 Mothsniper wrote:
They are 2 different style of cutters.
The fancy one is easier to use for plastic, but I got none GW one for $10

The "lower quality clippers" is better for metal. (very very very soft metal!)

No.. no they are not. I absent-mindedly used mine to cut a few pins, and they were absolutely wrecked.
Plastic is their practical limit

----

@OP
I've got a 30-year old pair of wire clippers about the same size and they're much better.
Just go to a hardware store and pick up just about anything with two narrow cutting edges, and you'll have something better and less expensive than either GW option.

Keep in mind all GW tools are somebody else's brand with a sticker/imprint and a price markup. Even the decent ones can be found by the original manufacturer for less.