Suggestions for prepping white metal parts

[Adam Baker]

Just looking for tips & suggestions on prepping white metal parts.

I'm starting on my first multimedia kit and the white metal parts all have the casting nubs on them. I was thinking I'd use a cutoff wheel on my dremel to remove most of the metal, and then use coarse sanding sticks to remove whats left, and then clean things up w/ some fine sanding sticks.

Just wondering if anyone uses any other method for cleaning up parts.

 

[randy_ditton]

Hi Adam, I think the cut off wheel might be a little overkill. They should be soft enough for regular sprue nippers then clean up with a file. What kit is this?

Randy

 

[Adam Baker]

Yankee Modelworks 1/350 USS Los Angeles.

I wouldnt be surprised if the dremel is overkill, its just the first thought I had, since I've never worked w/ white metal before.

 

[TomN]

Hi Adam
I haven't worked with a whole lot of white metal, but I have found that it tends to clog up files and sanding sticks,
so you may want to have separate ones for metal and plastic/other stuff.

HTH,
Tom

 

[randy_ditton]

Thanks Adam, will keep an eye out for your progress !

Randy

 

[vicnic]

"White Metal"!!!
What a joke!
The "white metal" formula is:90% lead and 10% tin for big parts
7o% .........30%.........small parts
Use gloves!
All the best,
Victor

 

[rob hart]

I'm actually building a kit that is entirely white metal. In my opinion, white metal offers zero advantages over resin and plastic where structural strength is not an issue. As others have stated, it ruins files and sanding sticks, blocks, pads, etc..

 

[Adam Baker]

I finally started dealing w/ the white metal parts a few days ago, and getting the casting nubs off was a lot easier than I had thought it would be since I've never dealt w/ white metal before. I just pulled out my Xuron nippers, and cut all the plugs off almost flush w/ the parts. I'll pull out my files & sanding sticks, and get them cleaned up.