What to use for cutting corals?

[jaysauce]

Can I just use a clean sharp pair of scissors to cut my corals for fragging? or do I need to use special tools?

Thanks!

 

[returnofsid]

It really depends on what you're fragging. Usually, with soft corals, you're better off using a razor blade or scalpel, but yes, scissors work too. With LPS, it really varies, depending on the growth form. With SPS, you can typically cut them with a pair of bone cutters.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

agreed with Sid depends on what you cut I found a razor blade best for zoas palys and shrooms lps will vary there should be alot of threads on here inregards to fraging certian corals. just remember to wear gloves and goggles or a face mask. zoas can be toxic as well as some other corals.

 

[user 2204]

I personally use the following with good results,

Soft corals (Xenia, ricordeas, mushrooms, leathers, zoathinds, gorgonians, etc...):
Surgical scalpels with a couple of different types of blades, xacto knife with new blade every time, toothpicks, and scissors (surgical type).

LPS (Sun, dendros, frogspawn, hammer, candy cane/trumphet, etc...):
Bone cutters, scalpels, and chisels.

SPS:
Bone Cutters and sometimes depending on coral... fingers.

Always remember to disinfect and sterilize all your tools after your done. I usually soak all my tools in vinegar after I use them and then sterilize them. It seems to keep them from rusting and keeps them in good working order.

Of course maybe I'm just too particular on the way I keep my tools. You should see my tool boxes (Auto Tech by trade). *lol*

Cheers,
Alex

 

[jaysauce]

Where can I buy some bone cutters/scissors?

 

[returnofsid]

I've bought several surgical scalpels, bone cutters, forceps, surgical scissors, etc. at a local Army Surplus store, really inexpensively.

 

[jaysauce]

I've bought several surgical scalpels, bone cutters, forceps, surgical scissors, etc. at a local Army Surplus store, really inexpensively.

Where is this store located at?

Is there a store in the puget sound area to pick these up?

What do you use to cut the nub off the frag plug off so I can glue the frag plug to some rock?

 

[lvsuckerfish]

you can go to a med. supply shop some of the LFS sell kits also with frag plugs glue and bone cutters but to get sissors and scapel you will either have to buy 2 kits or find a med supply shop.

 

[user 2204]

Where is this store located at?

Is there a store in the puget sound area to pick these up?

What do you use to cut the nub off the frag plug off so I can glue the frag plug to some rock?

I usually use a pair of pliers to snap off the frag plug stand off to make it more of a disc type of plug.

I have a pair of pliers that I use strickly for saltwater, hate to use some nice snap-on pair for this. *lol*

Cheers,
Alex

 

[jaysauce]

Anyone have a store they go to for getting fragging supplies?

 

[returnofsid]

As mentioned above

I've bought several surgical scalpels, bone cutters, forceps, surgical scissors, etc. at a local Army Surplus store, really inexpensively.

 

[jaysauce]

As mentioned above

I asked u where this store is?....its really general when u say an army surplus store.

I saw u are from spokan so that's why I am asking if there is a place like this in puget sound.

 

[returnofsid]

Ahhh gotcha, didn't see a post asking me where it was, sorry. I'm sure there are lots of Army/Navy Surplus stores in the Puget Sound area. I bet if you open a phone book, you'll find 20 or so. A 10 second Google search, came up with one in Belltown, 2112 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, One in Seattle, at 85 S Landers, One in Lynwood at 5911 196th St. SW....and many others.

You can also check out hobby shops in your area, as they'll have a lot of tools that work great.

 

[user 2204]

http://www.drinstruments.com/index.asp

Or you could check out Marine Depot or Dr F&S

Pick up stuff from all three before along with a medcial supply place in Seattle.

 

[ango917]

i agree with all of the above. i have been using scissors or even garden sheers which work fine for me.

 

[jaysauce]

Ok, thanks for the help everybody!