This should do the trick: 
open(IN, "<", "print_tools.txt") or die "Cannot open print_tools.txt f
+or reading, $!";
while(<IN>){
  chomp;
  s/^\s+//;
  s/\s+{.*}//;
  print "modelCombo.addItem($_);\n";
}

[download]

Updated to fully satisfy OP's requirements.

In reply to Re: Problem with string manipulation by Mr. Muskrat
in thread Problem with string manipulation by Anonymous Monk

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