Lathe Biosas wrote:Ok, let's do a worst case hypothetical... My measly box of snippers and random cutty tools doesn't make it to my new home.
What would you buy first? And from where?
-> Hobby Knife/Scalpel/X-Acto Knife - dollar store handle is fine, or splurge for better replacement blades. Craft store also has these, but way more $.
Doubles as a scraper tool if you flip the blade around or keep a really dull one. Probably the first thing I'd spend "extra" money on because I'm very partial to my Veritas carver's knife but it was a 50$ Christmas present which is way, way more than I'd recommend for anyone having to buy a full starter kit.
-> Clippers / wire cutters. Dollar store (not great but cheap), online or hobby store (varies from reasonable to you've-got-to-be-kidding-me expensive)
Flush cut is preferable but bevelled will still work and are easier to source. Clip any remaining nubs after the part is free of the sprue again or use hobby knife.
-> Glue. cyanoacrylate (super glue), plastic cement (actually solvent) and PVA (white glue). Dollar Store, Hobby Store, Dollar Store.
Super glue if it's anything but plastic-to-plastic model parts which gets plastic cement. PVA for basing only.
-> Sand. Free or Dollar store.
For basing. Also small rocks/gravel, decorative moss/foliage, small twigs, bark and cooking spices can all make suitable basing bits.
- Water Cup. Free, dollar store if you literally have nothing suitable.
Seriously, just find something that can hold water and is hard to tip over. Old mug, old jar, recycled plastic container, etc.
-> Palette. Free, or dollar store.
Dry or wet, both are cheap. Baking paper + kitchen towel + shallow plastic box, or an old packaging tray/lid.
-> Work surface. Free, dollar store or craft store.
Put down a bunch of of whatever you've got that's waterproof and knife-proof. Stack of cardboard,
MDF, craft mat, cutting board. Mini hobby work is messy and there's no sense in ruining good furniture. Don't forget to protect the floor as well. Carpet and paint are not happy bedfellows.
-> Lamp/Lighting Free, or hardware store.
Daylight is great and free if you can set up near a window, daylight bulb + lamp otherwise.
-> Brushes. Art supply store / craft store.
One of the few things to *not* buy from the dollar store. Spend enough to get at least some mid-range quality because bad brushes make for miserable painting and some cheapos for things like glue and drybrushing.
-> Storage. Free or dollar store / hardware store / craft store.
A big ol' cardboard box will do, just something to keep all your stuff together. Old toolbox or tacklebox is great if you have one, or repurpose old packaging.
-> Paint. Hobby shop or art store.
One of the other "you get what you pay for" categories. Except Citadel which is hilariously overpriced (though decent). Art stores aren't actually a big savings for this category most of the time because while the $/
ml price is better the containers are usually way bigger than you'd need in a lifetime. Still worth checking out, esp. airbrush acrylic ranges and additives.
-> Primer, brush-on or spray. Art store/hobby shop, hardware store.
Don't buy Citadel primer, you can get great results with plenty of off-the-shelf brands for a fraction of the cost. Or get some badger stynylrez.
Nice to have but absolutely not a necessity:
-> Fine Sandpaper 400-600P. Dollar store / Hardware store / Automotive supply store.
One pack of this will likely last you your lifetime. It can be washed to clear the grit, or glued to popsicle sticks to make your own sanding sticks/tools. Good for roughing up joints before gluing. Good alternative is nail files, the paper/cardboard or foam kind. Dollar store for those as well.
-> Files. Hardware/automotive/hobby store.
There's sets of miniature files in both standard and diamond grit that work quite nicely for minis. Can be better or worse than sandpaper depending on the part/area/surface, I like having both but don't take them out nearly as much as the hobby knife.
-> Painting handle. Free, 3D print or hobby shop.
Anything suitably sized/shaped to hold will work here. Cut up dowel, old pill containers, small jars, paint pots, etc.
-> Epoxy putty. Hobby shop / online.
I use both milliput and green stuff for gap filling, basing and conversions. They're WAY cheaper to buy direct than from Citadel or most hobby shops. Store in the freezer in an airtight container after separating parts A & B if need be. Any areas that touch will harden eventually even if not mixed. I've got supply that's easily 10+ years old and still good as new. Mixed putty can also be stored in the freezer but will harden within a few days.
-> Tweezers, needlepoint. Online or pharmacy, in the beauty section.
Not something I reach for often but they're helpful for manoeuvring transfers or basing bits into juuust the right spot. Standard tweezers are mostly useless - too thick and require too much pressure to grip things delicately.
-> Pin vice & paperclips. Online / hardware store, dollar store.
For conversions, magnetization or assembling metal models. Hobby shop version is way overpriced for the exact same tool.
-> Tamiya panel line scriber. Hobby shop/online.
Another niche tool mostly for vehicles or mecha. Good for deepening trenches/seams. Not very useful for other types of models.