Needle Nose W/Cutter II

Tamiya Needle Nose with Cutter II — pliers with long jaws and a cutter

A hand tool for building models and for work on radio-controlled vehicles. The jaws are long and slender, so they reach into tight places that ordinary pliers do not get to, and on fine work they can stand in for tweezers. They are made of chrome vanadium steel, a material common in quality hand tools, because it takes repeated loading without deforming. The handles have a non-slip PVC cover that improves the grip and cushions the pressure on the palm. The tool is made by the Japanese company Tamiya.

What the pliers can do

• Gripping small parts precisely and holding them while gluing
• Bending brass and steel wire into the required shape
• Cutting wire with the edge at the joint — steel up to a diameter of 1.2 mm, brass up to 1.3 mm
• Work in cramped places on a model that fingers cannot reach
• Holding and squeezing fasteners on radio-controlled models

Usage tips

Use the cutting edge only on materials within the stated range; hardened wire or a thicker section will nick the edge and the pliers will then cut untidily. When bending wire, make the bend in one smooth movement; repeated folding fatigues the material and the wire snaps. To grip painted or finished parts, pad the jaws with a piece of plastic or paper, so that the serration does not leave a mark. After working with metal, wipe the jaws dry, put a drop of oil into the joint from time to time and store the tool in the dry, so that the steel is not damaged by corrosion.

Who the tools are for

For modelers who regularly work with wire, needles and small metal parts, for builders of photo-etched accessories and for owners of radio-controlled models, where work deep in the chassis is frequent.

Sharp cutting edges; handle with care and protect your eyes when cutting wire, as the cut-off end can fly off. Keep out of the reach of children.