I always use a cut-off disk for cleaning-up the inside of brass locomotives, as it will fit into places where a rail-nipper won't.If you're careful in the use of such disks, they can be used to get into very tight spaces once the disk is worn-down to a smaller diameter...
...the smallest one shown is only a bit larger than the screwhead which holds it in-place.
Wayne
You can buy a dremel type tool for $10 at harbor freight. But the answer to your question is a cutical cutter from the $ store, should be strong enough.
Thanks for confirming what I thought, fellas.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The rail nipper should be fine. The small diameter of most mounting posts for detail parts would be thinner than Code 83 rail, and just as soft, so you won't harm the nipper any more than you would using it for actual track cutting.
In general, if what you are cutting is the same hardness or softer than what the tool was designed for, it's perfectly OK. Trying to cut something harder than what the tool was made for is where you damage the tool - like trying to cut music wire with the rail nippers. That'll destroy them after the first cut. But rail nippers on little bits of brass wire? Or even using them to cut copper wire? Or as a plastic sprue cutter? No problem. The miniature plier type sprue cutter Micro Mark sells - it says on the handle "max .040" copper wire" - it's designed to cut material slightly harder than plastic sprues. Just is a nice size for the job. Repurposed like most of the things Micro Mark sells.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Little TimmyIf you can get a Dremel in there, I would use a small cut off wheel.
I'm not sure that using a Dremel would be a good idea. My concern is that the heat created by grinding might melt some of the solder joints and allow some of the exterior details to move out of place. I think that using the track cutters would be a much safer bet, especially since you are not extremely tight on space, and I seriously doubt that you will do the track cutters any harm.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
The Xuron track cutter will work very good for trimming small brass. If you trade at Harbor Freight their 5” flush cutter works great for trimming flashing, as long as you don’t try cutting hard steel they keep up the Xuron.
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/micro-flush-cutter-90708.html Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Tim,
You beat me to the punch. I was just going to add that I do not own a Dremel tool so that idea is out. But - yea, a Dremel with a small cut-off wheel would do the trick.
I also don't plan on trimming the soldered areas too close so as not to disturb the details on the exterior. That's why I don't mind having a small nub protruding from the trimmed wire or rod.
If you can get a Dremel in there, I would use a small cut off wheel.
You may have to solder a few details back on no matter what you do ....have your soldering iron at the ready ...
Rust...... It's a good thing !
Greetings,
I have a brass locomotive that I plan to install DCC in and would like to install the decoder and speakers in the boiler of the locomotive rather than the tender. It's a 2-6-6-2 Mallet so I think I should have sufficient room to do that.
My issue is that there are protruding pieces of soldered brass wire & rod poking into the boiler area from the exterior detailing. I'd like to trim the protrusions down or off, if possible. The cuts do not have to be flush with the interior wall of the boiler; a small protruding nub would suffice just fine. I just want the foam tape to have a sufficient surface area to bond to.
My question is: Would the Xuron track cutter work well for accomplishing that without sacrificing the cutting edge?
Using calipers, the largest wire/rod OD is ~0.05". Track is much thicker than that and the Xuron website states that it will cut both HO brass & nickle-silver track. When cutting track I know you are supposed to use the middle of the cutter for the best results. However, I'll most likely need to use the ends of the Xuron cutter in order to access and nip off the protrusions.
I hate to use the Xuron rail cutters for anything other than track. I guess I could always purchase another pair if I damage them.
Anyone see any flaw in my reasoning, or have a better suggestion? Thanks for the help...