Kleště

What pliers are for on the bench

Pliers are among the tools a modeler reaches for before he has time to think about it. They hold a small part that slips between the fingers, straighten a bent wire, grip the end of a wire while threading it and hold a hot part you do not want to touch. Unlike tweezers they will take force, so they suit everywhere it is necessary to hold firmly and precisely at the same time.

How to work with them

Hold the part as close to the tip of the jaws as possible, as that is where you have the most control. Soft plastic and a painted surface are easily marked, so put a strip of paper or a piece of card between the jaw and the part. Bend wire with short movements and preferably in two stages, as one sharp pull will crack the material. When working with photo-etch, grip the part along the bend, not across it, otherwise ripples will arise in the metal that can no longer be straightened out.

Care of the tool

• Wipe the jaws after work, as the remains of glue bake onto the metal.
• Rub the joint with a drop of oil now and then, so that the action stays light.
• Store the pliers in the dry, as rust will appear on them in damp.
• Do not throw them loose among files and blades, as the tip gets scuffed or bent.
• Do not try the grip on hardened material, as you will needlessly mark the jaws.

What the delivery contains

The tool is supplied on its own. A case, spare jaws and other tools are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise. The dimensions and the execution are stated by the manufacturer in the data for the tool.