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How do I remove plastic parts from sprues?

When building a plastic kit model it is normal for the parts to come out of the box arranged on a plastic frame. This frame is created by plastic flowing through a channel called a sprue. The model parts are attached to the sprues with little plastic arms called runners. By extension, most modellers will tend to call the whole assembly, including parts and runners, "sprue".  
The different parts of the model will be numbered so it is easy to identify each part when prompted by the instructions. To keep the parts organised and save you a lot of head-scratching it is always a good idea to only remove the parts from their frame as you need them and not before.
Enthusiasm can often get the better of us when we get a new model especially for younger modellers and often there's a temptation to grab and twist the part to break it away from its sprue. This may well work but it will leave behind an unsightly twisted plastic stub on the model part and risks damaging the model too.
The best way to remove the plastic parts from their sprues is to use side cutters or a modelling knife (for older modellers). This will give you the best chance of a neat extraction.
By taking your time and being careful at this stage, your model will look a lot better once assembled and your project will be much more satisfying.
Posted in: Kit building, Best practices

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