| Gallocelt | 25 Nov 2024 8:28 a.m. PST |
I have a project in mind which will involve 15mm historical figures that requires the bending of hat brims. The figures have round hats and I want to bend the brims into informal tricornes. I have tried it and was successful except for one problem. The steel, toothless hobby pliers that I use scar the metal a bit. Does anyone know a better way of bending hat brims that will cause less scarring? Do I need to find some kind of soft tipped pliers?
Cheers!
Gallo |
robert piepenbrink  | 25 Nov 2024 8:43 a.m. PST |
I'd use thin cloth or tough paper between the metal and the pliers. I've had some luck in similar but not identical circumstances. |
| JimDuncanUK | 25 Nov 2024 8:56 a.m. PST |
Wrap a piece of thin leather around the piece to be bent. |
| Gallocelt | 25 Nov 2024 10:08 a.m. PST |
I like the way you guys are thinking – very DIY. Electrical tape wrapped around the ends of the pliers?
Cheers!
Gallo |
| Andrew Walters | 25 Nov 2024 10:22 a.m. PST |
My wife has seven thousand pairs of pliers for her hobbies. I think you want something called chain-nosed pliers. |
| troopwo | 25 Nov 2024 12:05 p.m. PST |
At 15mm and tiny edges of hat brims,,, won't primer and then paint hide it? |
 Dal Gavan | 25 Nov 2024 12:43 p.m. PST |
You should be able to find various sizes of round-nosed pliers ( link ) in your local hardware shop, Gallocelt. They'll do the job. |
| Gallocelt | 25 Nov 2024 2:42 p.m. PST |
Hey thanks! I think I've seen those round-nosed pliers at a fabric/ craft store. That might be what I need.
Cheers!
Gallo |
| gengulfus | 25 Nov 2024 3:09 p.m. PST |
Try jewellery pliers – jewellery makers have the same problem. |
| Zephyr1 | 25 Nov 2024 3:55 p.m. PST |
" The steel, toothless hobby pliers that I use scar the metal a bit." A quick pass with a small rounded file would take care of most of it. For anything deeper, file then fill any gouges with plaster or putty. Painting hides the rest… ;-) |
| Alakamassa | 26 Nov 2024 6:00 a.m. PST |
Press the figure against a hardwood surface. For jewelry tools Riogrande.com |
| Gallocelt | 02 Dec 2024 10:03 a.m. PST |
Thanks to all for the many ideas. The figures that I ordered will arrive soon. There are so many hat brims that I'll need to bend, I will have ample opportunity to try different methods. I have good 'ol Milliput standing by, in case I need to fill in my mistakes, add a waist sash, or do some head swapping, etc.
Cheers!
Gallo |
looks at a fast-assembly naval kit for the Age of Sail.