Useful for making Gunpla! Comparative review of tweezers that can be bought for less than 1000 yen! The tool way! The 9th issue]

Hello, this is Karyas! This is the ninth installment of "The Tool Way!" In this 9th issue of "The Tool Way!", I would like to introduce & review a pair of tweezers recommended for beginners!

Hello everyone! I'm sure there were many of you who stayed at home during the year-end and New Year's holidays and spent a lot of time on plastic models! I'm sure there were many of you who stayed at home during the year-end and New Year's holidays and spent a lot of time on plastic models. I, for one, have been making plastic models at home for a while now...

By the way, what kind of tweezers do you use when you make models? The ones you bought at a 100-yen store? Or, do you use a high-end one? Or maybe you don't use tweezers at all?

In this issue, we will introduce several types of tweezers for those who are planning to buy new tweezers or those who want to buy new ones!

There are many different types of tweezers. Let's start with the ones you can easily buy!

How to use tweezers

When should we use tweezers in the first place? There are three main types of tweezers.

1. to grab thin and small parts

Scale models such as ship models are full of tiny parts, so tweezers are indispensable, but even for other kits such as Gunpla and mechanical kits, there are unexpectedly small parts and parts that are difficult to insert with fingers (joints, etc.). If you try to force them into place, they may be damaged, which is where tweezers come in!

2. apply stickers and masking tape neatly

Stickers that come with Gunpla and other items are difficult to remove with your fingers, and it is also a struggle to stick them on parts that are too deep. Masking tape, which is useful for painting, also requires tweezers when applying it in tight spaces!

3. holding the part

Reverse-acting tweezers (the type that opens when pressed and closes when released) make it easier to continue precision work because you don't have to keep exerting force, and if used as a clip, they can also be used to dry painted parts. The reverse-action type is one of the most convenient products to have!

What is the difference between cheap and high-end products?

Tweezers are all the same, right? Don't you think so? The price difference between cheap tweezers and high-end tweezers is clearly shown in "comfort of use" and "precision of the tip! Let's take a look at the difference in the pictures below.

This is "Pincer," a tweezer-type file from the "Shokunin Kogei" series developed by Shimomura Alec Co. It is a tweezer-type file with a No. 600 file electrodeposited on the tip, and can be used not only as precision tweezers but also for filing very small parts.

Close-up of the tip. Thanks to the precision construction and electrodeposition of the file, it is ideal for bonding slippery metal parts such as beads without popping them off. The price is ...... a whopping 5,940 yen including tax! Although it is one of the best tweezers, I, Kariyasu, took the plunge and bought it because I often use etched parts (very small metal parts) for ship modeling and other projects! It is very comfortable to use. But it is for advanced users only!

On the other hand, here are some very cheap tweezers I bought at a 100-yen store. At a quick glance, they don't look so bad. ......

Close-up of the tip. It is quite thick and the tip is off to begin with. ...... It may be able to grip large parts, but it will be difficult to handle very small parts with dexterity.

As you can see, the difference in the price of a tool is in the details. You don't want to lose money by buying cheap tools, but you also don't want to spend money on high-end products. ...... For you, we would like to introduce two tweezers that can be bought for less than 1,000 yen and are recommended for your first pair of tweezers!

Recommended Tweezers

F-101 Cation-plated AA Tweezers 125mm (with cap)

Official price: 385 yen (tax included)

Manufacturer: Mineshima

First of all, stainless steel precision tweezers from Mineshima Corporation, which offers a variety of tools. The rust-resistant cationic plating is a key feature, and the blackish color is also cool!

Tip

I peeled off the foil sticker and grabbed a 0.5mm brass wire to verify the comfort of use, and found no problem at all. It is inexpensive and simple, but the quality as tweezers is perfect!

■Mr. Tweezers, Tip bend (Tapered crane neck)

Official price: 1,100 yen (tax included)

Manufacturer：GSI Creos

And here is the Tsuru-neck type tweezers from GSI Creos' Mr. series. It features a non-slip grip made of elastomer resin, which is great for working with peace of mind!

Tip

The quality is also fine here. Thanks to the non-slip grip, it has a comfortable grip and is easy to use!

■100-yen tweezers

And finally, the 100-yen tweezers I mentioned earlier. They are described as "ideal for fine work," but how well do they work?

I was able to remove the stickers well, but brass wire was difficult to grasp. Also, it is made quite hard and requires a lot of force each time you pinch it, which is quite tiring. ...... As I can say, it is made for the price.

Conclusion: The 100-yen tweezers are hard to use, but everything else is fine! Buy the ones with the design you like according to your budget!

So, what do you think? Tweezers are an important tool that you can use all the time if you have one. Use the ones that suit you best and enjoy model making!

＜Writer's introduction

Kariyasu

Entertainment and hobby writer. She loves models, dioramas, and figures, and is in charge of reviewing plastic models and miniatures, as well as tools and various interviews. The first pair of tweezers he ever used came from a first-aid kit (manufacturer unknown).

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