Micromark Tool review

[tom mann]

I decided to take advantage of MicroMark's big catalog sale and get a few tools.  I found some cool stuff that I didn't know existed.

This is a rounded chisel, useful for removing molded on detail parts without gouging the surrounding area:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82709

This is a wire brush, great for scoring plastic (to simulate wood grain) or for making wood look distressed:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=14258

[3rdrail]

I've got both of those chisels, Tom, the 2MM and 5 MM ones. They do a fantastic job on mold parting lines, too. They'll even work on pewter or white metal. 

[up1950s]

Thanks , I wondered if those were any good .

[Robbman]

Message deleted

[dnhouston]

I have the wire brush.  Works great for creating wood grain, removing paint (to make it look like it's peeling) and also to rough up hard plastic so glue sticks better.

[Zox]

Micro-Mark has some nifty stuff--and some of it can't be found anywhere else, at least not readily. But sometimes you can find very similar stuff elsewhere for much better prices.

Compare these two items, for example:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=15218
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42307

[up1950s]

Micro-Mark has some nifty stuff--and some of it can't be found anywhere else, at least not readily. But sometimes you can find very similar stuff elsewhere for much better prices.

Compare these two items, for example:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=15218
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42307

Ha ha , I have that Harbor Freight chop also , bought it because HF was cheaper .

[bsoplinger]

Mission Models makes a great micro chisel and 1mm and 2mm tip sets which include straight and curved tips:

http://www.missionmodels.com/product.php?productid=16464&cat=313&page=1
http://www.missionmodels.com/product.php?productid=16465&cat=313&page=1
http://www.missionmodels.com/product.php?productid=16466&cat=313&page=1

They also carry Gunze Sangyo products including Mr. Surfacer and Mr. Dissolved Putty:

http://www.missionmodels.com/home.php?cat=276

I use the chisel to remove grabs, its much better than the standard X-acto #17 chisel blade and Mr Surfacer and Mr Dissolved putty for any plastic kitbashing products.

[RS-27]

I've been using dental tools for the past 15 years. My most used tool is a double ended chisel, 1.5mm wide.  Many times it is too wide for what I want to carve, although a 3mm wide would be nice for heavy stock removal (like shaving the 2 36" fans off a Atlas GP9 to put on a 48" fan.

Sooner or later you will have to resharpen (or replace  ). If you sharpen you start to lose the rounded edge on the MM tool...  that's OK.  I've been able to shave all the louvers off a RS3 long hood (to make a ph2 version) and even a complete doors and still leave the area flat and smooth.  The sharp corner is necessary when working along a raised area like the rivet strip around a grille. You want to be able to put a square edge there.  The rounded corners make it difficult to accomplish.

What still eludes me is to be able to shave off details like hinges and door latches so I can reuse them.

The second favorite tool are my 3C tweezers (really, really pointy).  Used extensively in semiconductor manufacturing, I'd acquired a dozen or so (if they get dropped they have to be straightened or replaced).  Mostly they got replaced, I've learned to do the "hand finished" description in the catalogs (on the ones I scavenged when I had a life).  I can pick up a hair (RCH) with the very tip after I've refurbished it.  (However, they will still throw a detail part across the room  .

MicroMark, sorta the Sears of minature tools: They're fast and somewhat easy (I think their catalog organization sucks), you aren't getting too badly screwed, but you can usually do better, price wise.

Bob in IDaho

[TrainCat2]

I can pick up a hair (RCH) with the very tip after I've refurbished it.

Impressive Bob. Those are hard to find in this neck of the woods. 

[jlong]

The detail scraper looks very handy. Micro Mark has a lot of nice tools for modeling.

I just got one of these but I don't think I will be using it to join flex track.
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/products/intros/powermig_140_180.asp

[TrainCat2]

Micro-Mark has some nifty stuff--and some of it can't be found anywhere else, at least not readily. But sometimes you can find very similar stuff elsewhere for much better prices.

Compare these two items, for example:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=15218
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42307

I've been wanting one but would not pay the Micromark price. Sooooooo ... I just bought the HF model. Shipping is kind-of slow though. Said it would be delivered in 10-15 BUSINESS days (2-3 weeks).