James River Branch: Tools and Supplies

Tools: Miniature Duckbill Pliers

They may sound a bit esoteric, but miniature duckbill pliers are amazingly useful. They're especially handy if you work with etched brass, as they make bending tiny parts much easier; they're good for flattening delicate parts that got bent out of shape; and they hold onto things more gently than needle nose pliers (which can leave indentations in some materials). I reach for them almost as frequently as I will for my miniature needle nose pliers.

Just getting started? Miniature duckbills may be a bit harder to find than most other tools; if you can't find a pair at a good hardware store or a Sears tool section, then an online search should yield plenty of options.