Your MUST HAVES for modeling.

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**ShivanAngel**

Figured this would be a good way to see what works for other people when it comes to assembling and painting minis.

So what are you "Must Haves".
I figure things like super glue and stuff are a given

Mine

Assembling
Files- I have 3 Flat, Triangular, and cylindrical.
Exacto Knife
Dremel tool with bits
SUPER GLUE ACCELERANT!!!(omg when i discovered this stuff.....)
Magni-glasses (the things your dentist wears, basically glasses that magnify)
Small syringe with needle (makes getting super glue into nooks and crannies really easy.)

Painting
Syringe with water
4 water cups
2 lamps
Ceramic paint palette

General
TV going, or at the very least music.
Army book and BRB in case i need to see a picture of the model or get inspired.

All i can think of for now!

**Karon**

You forgot one thing:

Paint.

Clippers, Plastic/Super Glue, Paints of all kinds, primer, basing materials, paint brushes, models, glass of water for cleaning brushes, syringe, exacto knife, file.

**Lint**

Xuron brand flush cutters. Probably the tool I use the most for modeling. Perfect for sprue removal, and sharp enough to clip metal. Awesome tool.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, how in the hell did you mix up forums, and post this in whfb fluff?

**Alpharius**

The other Must Have - the right forum!

(moved!)

**Redbeard**

My list has expanded a lot since I started.

Stuff I can no longer do without:

Assembly:
Knife, files, clippers, needle-nose pliers, razor saw, jeweler's saw, power drill, supply of paper clips, magnets, super glue + accelerent, dust mask (for resin work), safety glasses (for playing with power tools), dremmel tool with foot-switch activation and flex-shaft attachment, plastic cement (testor's model-master), clamps (large and small), desk-mounted vice, self-healing cutting matt, toothbrush, set of sculpting tools, ceramic tile, desk lamp, epoxy cement, kitchen sieve, tweezers, spoon, calipers, compass, pencils, sandpaper... I'm probably forgetting some stuff.

Painting:
Stacked Paintier full of paints, Brushes (lots, including liners, shaders, filberts, and some GW brushes), 2 water jars (metallics and non-metallics), jar of matte medium, jar of flow-aide, jar of brush-cleaner, pot of windsor&newton brush cleaner & preserver, tube of pva-glue, pot of soft soap, ceramic tile, rust-all weathering fluids, weathering powders, airbrush & compressor, clock w/ seconds (for decals), overhead lamp w/ built-in magnifier.

Other: Computer

**1-UP**

Redbeard's list looks an awful lot like mine, although I have no idea what he uses the ceramic tile for.

I'd like to get added emphasis to the Epoxy Cement. You can get a great epoxy putty from Lowes (Lok-tite brand, blue tube w/ white crap in the middle). It sets in about 5 minutes (so it's FAST) and it's absolutely CRAZY good for affixing crap you have no idea how to glue/pin together as well as fixing gaps. I love the stuff, and a little will go a LONG way!

Also, drywall compound/spackle for terrain.

**Tek**

Tea.

**Alex Kolodotschko**

Hands.

**Mr-_-Flidd**

eyes?

Seriously though:

Ronson folding knife,

exrta thick super glue,

Paint on poly cement,

Paint and brushes.

VGC matte varnish.

Jobs a good 'un!

**Redbeard**

Ceramic tile is used as a work-surface for green stuff, and as a palette for mixing paints.

**Lint**

I've heard good things about the ceramic tile. Currently I use a sponge with a piece of wax paper on it, and the whole thing sits in a tupperware of water. Paint goes on the paper, and the moisture keeps it from drying out, and I also have a handy source of water for mixing paints.

**rexscarlet**

How about these Tips;

Inexpensive Supplies

Tools (Purchased);
 Dykes; or heavy-duty wire cutters; NOT Sprue-Cutters (sprue-cutters are expensive and will get damaged when trying to cut metal or wood). Example; http://www.xs11.com/forum/images/tips/20020902-floatpinremove.jpg
 Scissors; crappy or inexpensive, you are not a seamstress, so $1 ones will do fine when cutting stuff, if you need a more precise cut, you should probably invest in a straight cutting table or use a blade and metal ruler.
 Metal Ruler; often called a Drafting ruler. Uses; guiding a straight cut, and measuring.
 Hibachi skewers; (made of Bamboo) cost about $1 for a bag of 50 at local grocery store, great for spiky defenses, and etc…
 Place-mat for dinner table; (made of Bamboo and other wood slat items) good for fences when cut.

Supplies (Found);
 Wire Hangers; from the dry-cleaners. I prefer the plastic coated ones. (Cut-out the straight area and save). Then find a drill-bit the same size. Uses; pinning large items, axles on vehicles, BANNER-POLES, etc… Alternatively, LARGE paper-clips.
 Broom (Old); (house/kitchen) with long Nylon bristles. Depending on stiffness can be used as Spears, Lances, Antenna arrays, poles, cabling, and etc…
 Stir-Sticks; wood, (NOT Popsicle, they are treated and can have a to-finished look). From Starbucks for free with a cup-o-Joe or a box from Smart and Final for about $5. Uses; as wood, for everything wood; floors, bridges, fences, and etc…
 Cereal Box Cardboard; Save the front and back of the Cereal-box or GW box, etc. the cardboard is treated and very solid. Uses, a VERY inexpensive substitute for plastic-card.
 Rocks and Gravel; from your neighbor’s driveway (I Keed, I keed) Uses; boulders, and etc…
 Old Toys; from your closet, from a yard-sale, and etc. Uses; BITZ for Orky stuff, rubble terrain, machinery, and etc…
 Chopsticks; (fast food for free) Uses; large wood poles, fencing, supports, and etc…
 Wrapping paper rolls; (thicker ones) Pringles can, oatmeal can, etc.
 Telephone DSL Cabling (wires); they have 4-12 different colored wires inside
 Pennies (or nickels fit ROUND base weights perfectly; if you are rich lol); (note; I have tried the washer and slug idea, trying to find the right size and driving around is not worth the penny, or the nickel) Alternatively, they can be cut in two (just off-center) to fit in the underside of the slotted-bases.

Etc.

**Ravenous D**

Tek wrote:Tea.

I think that nailed it right there.

**Kilkrazy**

Jeweller's saw.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Circle Cutter

**CrashUSAR**

Other than the obvious pants, non-GW brushes, plastic cement/super glue, rinse cups, and knives; I think the item i use the most is well...a Gerber... Don't ask me how, but I always end up using it at some point or another when i sit down and mass assemble things.

**Howard A Treesong**

I achieve most of what I do just with the craft knife. I also have drills, various sizes and shapes of file, pliers/cutters, various glues. Nothin unusual, I'd like to invest in some sculpting tools though.

Metal files I use for small figures, but emery boards work wonders on plastic if you want to smooth and work over curved and rounded areas/seams. Emery boards come in many different grades of roughness often very fine and can be found quite cheaply. Just make sure the missus doesn't borrow them to do her nails!

**Robed_Chaplain**

Ravenous D wrote:
Tek wrote:Tea.

I think that nailed it right there.

Yeah, if I don't have a cup of tea with me when I'm painting/modelling I get really irratible.

Oh, and sometihing I haven't seen anyone mention:
Modelling: Toothpicks and needles

**Alerian**

The most importatnt thing I must have for modeling...

My kids to leve me alone!

**xenite**

**ShivanAngel**

Robed_Chaplain wrote:
Ravenous D wrote:
Tek wrote:Tea.

I think that nailed it right there.

Yeah, if I don't have a cup of tea with me when I'm painting/modelling I get really irratible.

Same here!

Cept its not tea....

its more like... rum..... and coke....

Caffeine keeps you going, rum mellows you out!

**captain.gordino**

And pcp makes you feel invincible!

**Mr-_-Flidd**

CrashUSAR wrote:Other than the obvious pants, non-GW brushes, plastic cement/super glue, rinse cups, and knives; I think the item i use the most is well...a Gerber... Don't ask me how, but I always end up using it at some point or another when i sit down and mass assemble things.

i tend not to bother.

**StasisNid95**

tea as mentioned before, and the occasional muffin

**DISCIPLE_SoC**

A small plastic bottle in which I poked a small hole with a needle. I fill the bottle with water, and when squeezed slightly it works like a dropper for clean water (mixing in paints).

Jim

**DarkAngelsRK**

My medium drybrush, my large drybrush, a fine detail brush, an xacto knife, plastic clippers, and my dad's magnifying lamp (I don't use the magnifier, but the light is super-bright

). Pretty much it..... I know, I'm so simple!

**c34r34lk1ll3r**

1 Pair of Dikes AKA as Wire Clippers
1 Pair of Needle Nose Pliers
1 Pair of Pliers
2 sets of paint brushes
2 extra empty paint pots
1 exacto knife
Various blades for exacto knife
paints
Loc-tite
I got this superglue that is similar to the glue that comes on gift cards that is really stretchy and sticky. I use this to flock bases.
Cigarettes
Heavy Metal
Beer

I don't mess with metal models very much so i have yet to acquire any tools for that.

**Chi3f**

ShivanAngel wrote:Figured this would be a good way to see what works for other people when it comes to assembling and painting minis.

So what are you "Must Haves".
I figure things like super glue and stuff are a given

Mine

Assembling
Files- I have 3 Flat, Triangular, and cylindrical.
Exacto Knife
Dremel tool with bits
SUPER GLUE ACCELERANT!!!(omg when i discovered this stuff.....)
Magni-glasses (the things your dentist wears, basically glasses that magnify)
Small syringe with needle (makes getting super glue into nooks and crannies really easy.)

Painting
Syringe with water
4 water cups
2 lamps
Ceramic paint palette

General
TV going, or at the very least music.
Army book and BRB in case i need to see a picture of the model or get inspired.

All i can think of for now!

Nice list, I'll add mine to it...

MODELING
Hot Glue Gun. Great for making slime, guts, and quick joining parts that don't hold together well.
Soldering Iron. Great for melting plastic models to make battle damage, wounds, guts, etc
Pin Vice. Makes pinning so much easier.

PAINTS
Painting Mediums. Changed the way I paint

MISC
Guitar hero Metallica +drum kit. I feel like an Ork every time

**epil**

someone to talk to, online or offline

**Mistress of minis**

Acrylic Flow Release, love the stuff. I gave mixed bottles of this stuff to my painting friends for holidays back around 2004 and I get pouty & cranky if I have to paint without it now.

Grey Stuff/ProCreate- this stuff is so much better than green stuff. Seriously, better handling characteristics, easier to mix, tastes better, fewer calories, no hydrogenated fats (ok ok Im just seeing if anyone is really reading this). But it is better than greenstuff, just think people keep using green because theyre used to it, and dont wanna buy new stuff when they still have old left over- and last since 'all the pros' are still using green for shiny pictures- they think its what youre supposed to use.

**Tek**

I am amused at the number of people who agree tea is a staple ingredient.
As my old sig used to say - you can't be a serious hobbyist until you've washed your brushes in tea and drank painty water by mistake. Props if you do it on purpose.