Just remeber Stob, a lot of things you can buy at Wal Mart or somewhere similiar and keep the prices down. Finger nail files make good files for your models, and can be trimmed to get into tight spaces, as long as you don’t mind going through the make up isle, I didn’t think I did, but after all the funny looks, I do now [:D] You can get all kinds of sandpaper cheap, and all grits for $5 for a 6 pack of big sheets! Check out www.hobbylinc.com for a good place for tools, they have many, and the prices are pretty good! Good luck!
Eizzle, funny thing is I had to make a visit to Wal-Mart today so I went to the mack-up isle. Didn’t think I would care, but I sure did get some strange looks while I was checking out the 3 in 1 files! [:D]
Thanks for the link, I’ll check it out.
I do agree with all replys on this topic. I have built several kits with the bare minimam tool list. I have sence moved to a more advanced tool list as has most here. I got my wife into the hobby and hr first kit turned out great with the minimam tool list. So here it is for you to look at.
I will ask that this thread be sticked for the new users that we are having join for the great info.
Hey R-C, let your wife know that’s one fine looking '57 Chevy… [;)]
Some things that I might have missed reading through the basic tool list:
Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl)
Small sharp scissors for cutting decal sheets (I use mustache trimming scissors)
Q-Tips (cotton swabs)
Tweezers
metal finger nail files or sanding pads (those that come with fake nail kits)
Styrofoam or clay - useful for holding toothpicks with parts stuck to them for drying.
tape - 3M masking, can be used for holding parts while drying or taping for painting.
If you don’t have a dedicated work/hobby area or bench:
good light source
comfortable place to work
something to keep all your supplies organized - I’m using a toolbox from Wal*Mart.
Man, all of these comprehensive lists and helpful suggestions and NONE of you included one of the absolutely essential, I-will-die-unless-I-have-it tools?
I’m referring to the bottle opener of course, aka church key. How else are you going to get the bottlecaps off those containers of “liquid refreshement agent,” aka “stress decompression aid”? I am very disappointed in all of you …
Don’t be disappointed!
My “liquid refreshment agent” comes with the convenient twist off cap, while my “stress decompression aid” has the corked stopper with built in handle.
If you’re still using a church key, you must be a real old modeler! [:o)]
Mine comes in 2 bottles with child proof twist caps, doctor prescribed. [:D]
I’ve been dry for 6+ years and like what the doc gives me now since my accident much better. [;)]
It’s still the 60’s isn’t it?
Hey… where’s my lava lamp, black light and posters?
Oh well, guess I’ll have to settle for the little flying flashing lights and my cats with their purple glowing eyes. I just don’t understand though why my wife got upset when I told her that her face looked like silly putty and her cheeks were stretching down to the floor? Oh yeah… now I remember… I didn’t take my pills that day. [:O]
Dust covers! I’m not exactly the world’s greatest housekeeper, plus I live in Phoenix where the desert air can get quite dusty at times, especially during monsoon time. I have a variety of dust covers, from those little seven-day pill containers (great for tiny parts or sub-assemblies) to an old motel-room ice bucket. Oddly, a (clean) hospital vomit tray a respiratory therapist friend gave me some years back is my favorite dust cover. It has an unusual kidney shape that fits around awkward shapes or multiple sub-assemblies without cluttering the workbench with baby-food jars all over the place. (Those are sure handy to have, also; I was able to get some from that same friend when his kids were little.)
When you first get started with modeling, just start out with a few simple basic tools and add to your toolbox as the need arises. For me, as my tool kit expanded, it was literally one saw, one pin vise, one whatever found its place on the workbench.
Gee, how could I have forgotten about that… dust proof containers? After all the trouble I got in for taking them from the wife, uhm, getting a few from the kitchen.
A couple of those Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers with air tight lids a bit bigger than my car models. So after I paint the bodies, I can store them for 4 weeks dust free while the paint cures.
Oh, I hit the cosmetic and sewing sections at Wal*Mart again. [:D]
Found a finger nail tool that works great as a burnishing tool. Really small pointy tweezers that work great for wiring my car engines. More finger nail buffing sticks. A woman told me the darker shade of blue metalflake nail polish looked better with my skin complextion. A pair of Singer sissors for cutting decals that my fingers fit in better than my mustache sissors. Some ribbon for seat belts and wire for brake lines.
Then I found my wife in the automotive section getting my polishing cream and wax after she picked up my '57 Bel Air and '63 Impala SS.
Next time I’ll let her check the cosmetics and I’ll check the automotive. The girls looked at me weird instead of hitting on me. [:(]
LOL [:P]