Good tweezers?

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

I don't know if this is a bit of a weird thing to ask about but are expensive tweezers much better than cheap ones? I've been looking for some good quality ones and the prices are quite staggering! I had no idea!

I've only ever had cheap tweezers and they've all been crap. I would like a couple of pairs for electrical work and general hobby use, does anyone have any recommendations for good quality tweezers?

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

I bought some Vetus tweezers from cousins UK and they are a cut above the cheapies from ebay I used previously, cousins do a good range, I mess about repairing old film camera's and decent tweezers have made quite a difference.

Dave

[Dave SParticipant @daves59043]

Vetus are what I use, and they are good enough for very small precision work:

That’s standard 0.1” veroboard I deadbugged for a prototype. I also use them for watchmaking. Normally use number 3 shape, but also use number 5 for really fiddly stuff

Dave

[Anonymous]

Mine are unbranded, but are bought from professional electronics suppliers. The last few came from Mouser. They are fine for hand soldering down to 0402 and, at a pinch, 0201.

Andrew

[lfoggyParticipant @lfoggy]

I purchased these recently. £90 for four. Much cheaper than Swiss horology tweezers but not at all bad. The tips are all perfectly ground and aligned and they work very well. Finish not as good as the best Swiss offerings though.

**LINK**

The tips are quite good shapes for general workshop use as opposed to horology….

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Dave S on 18/11/2022 19:22:43:

….

That’s standard 0.1” veroboard I deadbugged for a prototype. I also use them for watchmaking. Normally use number 3 shape, but also use number 5 for really fiddly stuff

Dave

Called dead bug style for a good reason, but I find the result attractive!

I'm a bit jealous – my attempts at soldering SMD all end badly.

Dave

Dave

[Marcus BowmanParticipant @marcusbowman28936]

I have a cheap (70p?) pair of eBay tweezers which are as flexible as wet seaweed and utterly useless for fine work, but great for just about every rough job. I have several pairs of DUMONT 'DUMOSTAR' non-magnetic non-corrosive finest Swiss tweezers which cost a staggering amount. Each pair has a slightly different shape. As I recall, they were sold as being suitable for work associated with handling samples for electron microscopy. I use them as horological tools. They have very fine points and are suitably strong and springy. In fact they excel at digging fine slivers from under the skin.

They are a joy to use and are thoroughly recommended.

Marcus

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. 👍

I don't think I can justify the cost of the high end ones so I'll be looking at the less expensive ones. Anyone used the Italian made Rossi Giovanni ones from HS Walsh? They are fairly cheap so might give them a go.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

I made my tweezers from a hacksaw blade with a nut and bolt through the holes and a nut as a spacer. This was to remove a splinter from my finger. 40 years on they are still the best I have.

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

If you want work holding for very fine stuff it might be worth looking at "ophthalmology forceps' at eBay or similar. Patterns vary from pointed end to find needle tips to those with sprung retention such as artery forceps'. Often urged or angled forceps allow better It's the broad ended ones that ladies use for plucking eyebrows where cheap can be nasty and not meet well although I have improved some with a piece of folded emery pulled through the jaws. Trying to pluck ingrowing eyelashes needed good tips.

[David NobleParticipant @davidnoble71990]

Posted by Chris Evans 6 on 19/11/2022 11:20:43:

I made my tweezers from a hacksaw blade with a nut and bolt through the holes and a nut as a spacer. This was to remove a splinter from my finger. 40 years on they are still the best I have.

Me too, they are brilliant better than any I've bought.

David

Edited By David Noble on 19/11/2022 23:35:39

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by Chris Evans 6 on 19/11/2022 11:20:43:

I made my tweezers from a hacksaw blade with a nut and bolt through the holes and a nut as a spacer. This was to remove a splinter from my finger. 40 years on they are still the best I have.

Any chance of a picture please?

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I use various surgical / dental ones all of which were begged /borrowed from either.none of them flex or bend and I have one plastic disposable set for handling batteries. Bargain

 

Edited By bernard towers on 20/11/2022 13:01:29

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Posted by Sam Longley 1 on 20/11/2022 10:03:01:

Posted by Chris Evans 6 on 19/11/2022 11:20:43:

I made my tweezers from a hacksaw blade with a nut and bolt through the holes and a nut as a spacer. This was to remove a splinter from my finger. 40 years on they are still the best I have.

Any chance of a picture please?

Sam, I can no longer post pictures due to complexity of getting my phone and computer to link up.

PM me your email and I will try and send a picture to you.

Chris.

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

I bought a pair of Chinese "ESD-11" anti-static tweezers for plastic model use from Ebay

They have gone up from the 99p posted from Chine I paid, but still under £2.

I was impressed enough to buy a pair as a gift for a modelling friend (last of the big spenders !) – he lost them to his wife when she saw them. She works assembling circuit boards & took them for use at work, saying they were better than the tools they were provided with for handling SMD components. Various styles are available.

Nigel B.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Mid-range stainless non-magnetic ones.

Beware those whose tips are too fine, they soon splay.

Neil

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

I've become interested in tweezers due to starting to play with watches. Whilst you can pay a lot of money for tweezers, it seems like it is more important to 'dress' them. That is to use files / stones to tune the ends of the tweezers to be appropriately sharp and have the right profile.

The test (I was told by someone in this forum) was if you could pick up a hair from a sheet of glass with the tweezer.,

The set I have cost under 20 quid for 4 and after filing and dressing (and practice) they are of that quality.

I don't think you need to spend a lot.

Iain

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