"Basic modification of figures" Topic

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

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.

Wrap a piece of thin leather around the piece to be bent.

I like the way you guys are thinking – very DIY. Electrical tape wrapped around the ends of the pliers?

Cheers!

Gallo

My wife has seven thousand pairs of pliers for her hobbies. I think you want something called chain-nosed pliers.

At 15mm and tiny edges of hat brims,,, won't primer and then paint hide it?

You should be able to find various sizes of round-nosed pliers ( link ) in your local hardware shop, Gallocelt. They'll do the job.

Hey thanks! I think I've seen those round-nosed pliers at a fabric/ craft store. That might be what I need.

Cheers!

Gallo

Try jewellery pliers – jewellery makers have the same problem.

" 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… ;-)

Press the figure against a hardwood surface. For jewelry tools Riogrande.com

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