discussion Tweezers (Review)

[Guest]

There really isn't a lot you can say about tweezers so I will keep this short. (yeh, right!) Who said that???

Tweezers tend to be a love/hate thing. I have to admit, I hated them and never really used them much. However, as you get older a pair of good tweezers and a magnifier come in handy (stop sniggering at the back!)

Recently, I have used a cheap pair with a fine bent point to assist me in applying loads of small decals. However, they had two main issues. One, the points were quite rounded and didn't quite line up, and they opened quite wide which meant a fair bit of pressure to close them gently and keep them closed without marking the decal as they are quite springy.

The other day, I placed an order at Scale Model Shop for some paint and stuff and chanced my arm by adding a set of these to my order.

http://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/6pc-coated-tweezer-set.html

For just over £6 for a set of six, I wasn't expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised!

View attachment 276961

They arrived packaged on a plastic covered thick card, the type you DO NOT need a chain saw to open, each tweezer with a protective poly cap on the pointed ends. They are made from none magnetic stainless steel and are coated with what looks like black powder coating but could be paint. They have a very nice feel to them and have a bit of weight but with a nice soft action to them, unlike the pressed tin ones I have been using.

They are numbered like brushes but, to be honest, I have no idea what the number refers to. There are four very nicely fine pointed, and aligned, one with a curved tip, again, very fine and aligned and one set with wider points.

View attachment 276960 View attachment 276958

They vary in length and the angle at which the points come together giving you a good choice of grip.

Comparing the new ones to my old tweezers, the quality is just miles apart.

View attachment 276959

All in all, a bit of a bargain at the price. Comfortable to use, quality manufacture and nicely finished tips.

View attachment 276957

Only time will tell how they stand up to abuse, though I would recommend using the protective poly caps.

Really surprised at the quality and feel of these so if you are in the market for some decent tweezers that will not break the bank, use the link and have a look. Highly recommended.

http://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/6pc-coated-tweezer-set.html

 

[col68]

I bought the same ones from john back in November Graham I can't fault them

 

[dave]

Thanks for the review good quality tweezers are well worth it.

Another good source is medical supplies, I am still using two pairs of stainless steel surgical tweezers bought 35 years ago.

 

[spanner570]

Sorry Graham, I can't quite grasp the point of this!

Coat's on - I'm taking the dog for a walk

 

[Bigfoot57]

Yes I agree I have 2 packs of these very good however you still get the odd thing pinging out of them so be on the lookout for that happening small bolts ie m3 and smaller seem to be destined to always ping out of the damn things to be consumed by the carpet monster

Colin

 

[Guest]

Sorry Graham, I can't quite grasp the point of this!

Coat's on - I'm taking the dog for a walk

I should think so too

 

[Guest]

Yes I agree I have 2 packs of these very good however you still get the odd thing pinging out of them so be on the lookout for that happening small bolts ie m3 and smaller seem to be destined to always ping out of the damn things to be consumed by the carpet monster

Colin

No tweezers will prevent that Colin but the 'softer' the squeeze the less likely it will happen. My old tweezers were quite a hard squeeze so it happened far too often for me to use them.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Graham! Only a few days ago, as I was wrestling with some Aber tool clamps with my rubbish tweezers, I thought "gotta get some better ones!"

So very soon, I'll be buying these

And I thought your review was gripping

 

[Guest]

And I thought your review was gripping

Booooooo

 

[meggsy]

I've got a set of these just a word of warning keep the plastic caps on when not in use these things are bloody sharp

 

[Guest]

I've got a set of these just a word of warning keep the plastic caps on when not in use these things are bloody sharp

Indeed they are, I am devising some kind of rack to store them. Pity they are not magnetic or I would use a magnetic strip.

 

[zuludog]

When I was 14 - ish in about 1964 or 65 and had just started to progress from making model planes as toys to something vaguely more serious I read in the Airfix Magazine that you should ask your dentist for any old tools
This I did, and he produced a shoebox full of assorted old & broken probes. He said he was glad to have found a home for them at last, as although they were no longer any use for dentistry, they were still reasonably good and made of stainless steel. He gave me a couple of handfuls, saying that I should distribute them among my friends.
I did that, for as we know plastic kits was a much more popular hobby at the time; but I kept the best 3 or 4 for myself, and I still have them

He also gave me a pair of tweezers with curved ends, about 6" long. I still have those, too, and over the years they have been used for all sorts of things, including cleaning hair out of bath & shower plug holes. When I retired I carefully fettled them with narrow tip pliers & needle files, and they are as good as new

I went on to do biology at university, and have kept the tweezers from my dissecting kit.
But I still call these tools 'forceps' and ignore my mates cries of 'Snob!'

Somewhere on my travels I purloined a pair of eyebrow tweezers as well

I wonder; can you still get old probes from dentists, or have the Health and Safety Fascists put a stop to it?

 

[Robert1968]

Well think I'm going to have to get me self a set of these Graham. I like reviews and at least it shows its positives and if there are negatives.
Tweezers I've used before are from hobbycraft and cheep ones from poundies ( not that there anything wrong with that but it's nice to get a set ( the wife won't be plucking her bloody eyebrows with!!! Never returning them ) sorry rant over
I'll put me order in

Thanks for the review

Robert

 

[Gern]

No tweezers will prevent that Colin but the 'softer' the squeeze the less likely it will happen. My old tweezers were quite a hard squeeze so it happened far too often for me to use them.

With wide blade tweezers you can glue a piece of fine sandpaper (or preferably emery cloth) to the inside faces. This will help stop bits 'pinging' off as the rough surface gives a better grip. DON'T use them for decals though as you're likely to damage them.