Why so many different tools?

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

Hi. Anyway, I was watching Plasmo and many experienced modelers in YouTube, and I was surprised to see how many tools and paints they have in their arsenal. I saw thousands of paint jars, and so many unnecesarry tools, like a paint cap opener. Why would they have to buy a paint opener, if they can use they’re fingers?

Also, why do they have so many different types of painbrushes, like small, medium, large, and everything else in between? Also, there is a panel line scriber. You can just use your hobby knife to deepen panel lines. Why buy a $13 dollar tool for something that you already have for universal things?

Also, do they need thousand of different types of paints? I mean, you can only use say, a maximum of 20 different paint colors/shades per model.

Sorry if I made you angry, this was meant to be a curious question, not a rant.

2

Just try to keep the youtube modelers in perspective. Their job or part time job is making videos for youtube or building models on commission and reviewing products. Naturally they’ll have a lot of stuff.

As for the paint jar opener…once you get a cap dried on and it rips the skin off your palm the first time you’ll understand. Yes, they’re overkill and a simple kitchen gripper can help you get a bite on the screw top…but for a couple dollars it’s a decent price for a tool that can help with that.

Tools like the scribers can absolutely be replicated with a hobby knife…but a scriber tool is a “more appropriate” tool. It’s built to make that specific task as easy as possible.

Many of us build up a paint collection as we need it. I have close to 130 colors in tamiya acrylics, testors enamels, and a few Vallejo colors. Some of them I just got because it was there and the paint jars are only ~$3-7 most of the time. Most of them were needed for a specific model. As silly as it sounds Grey, German Grey, and Japanese Grey are all subtly different and they’re formulated to be as accurate to the real life counterparts as possible. Accuracy is a big part of historical military builders, some people go so far as to attempt to replicate specific subjects from the historical photos. Mixing primary colors of paint to a desired shade is hard to do at the small volume we’d use.

Starting out, the cheap way to go about getting paints is just buying the colors you need for specific models. Eventually you’ll find you only need to buy one or two, or none, since you already have them. As far as tools, all you truly need starting out is:

hobby knife, sprue cutter (side cutter), a few files, a few tweezers, some sanding sticks in various grit, and a couple paint brushes

You can do most models with around 4 brushes. A fine pointed brush for details, a thicker pointed brush for larger details, a small flat brush, and a larger flat brush for painting larger areas smoothly. Eventually you might want a stiffer brush for doing the “dry brush” technique, or you might need some for decal solutions.

Under no circumstances do you need all the specialized tools that the youtubers have. It’s just nice to have them if you get serious about the hobby and want a “better tool”.

3

The various paint colors are for those who don’t like to mix colors, like me. There are hundreds, or more colors that can be used. The colors of the German air force in WW2 for example. And simple colors like Olive Drab or German Dark yellow can drive you nuts if you so like. Cars are another matter. Brushes are another matter. Modelers may need a variety of for many different tasks. When you really get into this hobby you can go both ways on how much you wish to go. I like to simplify but it’s nice use stuff when needed. I get by with good hobby knife, sprue cutters, flex e file, sanding paper, liquid plastic glue, and some other stuff. Others will have other better ideas.

4

You can achieve a lot with just a few tools - if you have a decent hobby knife, a few sanding sticks (or sandpaper) of different grades, a pair of tweezers, those will meet your basic needs. However, as you develop in the hobby you will learn that specialised tools perform specific jobs better than making do with something more basic. For example, a hobby knife can be used to re-scribe panel lines, but it can be hard to control precisely, and you tend to get a steep-sided, narrow line, usually with the displaced plastic sticking up on the edges at the top. A purpose-designed scriber is easier to use for this, and produces a better result that requires little or no clean-up. Drilling tiny holes is much easier with a pin vice than twiddling the drill-bit between your fingers. And, as for brushes, imagine painting a large model with a size 00 brush - you’d be there for days!

Adding to your tool collection is a part of the hobby - start with the basics & slowly add those tools you identify a need for, as and when it happens. Don’t buy something just because you’ve seen it on some video - make sure you really need it and can justify the cost. Start small & grow with your abilities.

5

Adding onto my previous comment…glue / cement…

I would suggest using a thin cement for most things. Cement actually melts the plastic slightly and allows the parts to “weld” together. They actually become fused together and the cement evaporates. For small things or things that might snap, cyanoacrylate (CA, or “super glue”) is a good option. This just creates a mechanical bond between two surfaces, the glue itself is what’s holding them together.

Eventually you’ll learn your preferences with experience and experimentation. I use Tamiya Extra Thin cement, but you might prefer a thicker cement from testors, or a thin cement from another brand. For CA, just buy the cheapest one at first, they’re all pretty much the same except the thickness and curing time. To accelerate CA bonding you need moisture, not more glue. Use it sparingly and spray a little distilled water on the bonding area and it’ll start to hold in seconds.

DO NOT use CA glue on clear parts. The vapors will make the clear parts foggy. You can actually use elmers glue for clear parts and it works great.

6

You’ll see,you don’t buy all those tools and paint all at once,they accumulate over time.Its like any carpenter,plumber,electricians when starting out,you have the basics,then over time you will see something that makes your job easier and pick one up here and there and before you realize you have a full arsenal.

Same thing with paint,you buy paints for that American Sherman,oh I need OD,and black and brown,next your building a Tiger,I need yellow,red,and olive,and it goes on.

Then,I need a thick brush from big areas,a tiny one for faces and details,a medium one for other things.

Get the picture,don’t even mention weathering products,washes,filters,pigments,and so forth.

But really,it all depends on how far you want yo take your hobby.

7

Essentials…1 #11 hobby blade, 2. sprue cutters, don’t scrimp on these, 3. sanding grits and sticks, cheap. 4. glue, experiment with a few to find what you like then run with it.

A person of average smarts really can improvise tools, building supplies, and other materials from stuff just laying around and often they work better than the $20 tool.

Most important HAVE FUN!

8

I have quite a few tools I guess, but I never have more than 1 of anything. I mean, I have 1 sprue cutter (Tamiya brand). I have a few kinds of tweezers, but they each are for different applications (one for decals, one angled, etc).

I see a lot of Youtubers with a dozen of different sprue cutters, etc. It’s not for me, but everyone is different.

I only stick to Tamiya for most of my tools and paints, glues, etc. Their quality is top notch, and I don’t need anything else.

9

I feel like I should have edited my original comment, but here goes…

99% of the youtubers use an airbrush. You don’t need it. At least, not until you feel you can’t progress without one. It’s a big purchase, you need a compressor and a regulator, hoses, thinners, spray hood…etc, etc. You can accomplish very stunning results using just a rattle can or a delicate hand and a thinned paint on a brush.

Plus, unless you’re a savant, you’ll suck at airbrushing at first. It took me the better part of a year to get decent at controlling my own airbrush. It’s the type of tool that you only want to get if you’re serious about models and want to dedicate the time to learn it.

10

To follow on the others’ comments…

You don’t need all those tools. There are threads here in the forum that talk about the basic tool kit, and we’ve all offered our opinions. Starting out, you’re probably best off getting yourself a Nr 11 hobby knife, a razor saw, a pair of tweezers, some fine grits of sandpaper, a small file or emery boards, and some rubber bands. The tweezers you can get in the cosmetics section of a grocery store, or drug store. While you’re there, you could pick up a cuticle cutter and use that to remove parts from the sprues.

You don’t all those paints, either. Get yourself some basic colors.

An airbrush is useful, and if you use one and get comfortable, you can achieve great finishes. But to start, you might just use rattlecans and practice applying light coats, to learn how to have a gentle touch. Work your way up.

Keep it simple, and remember that the way to improve is to build, and to practice. No tool will replace the experience you acquire as you build.

And remember that every one of us here, and throughout the hobby, has made, and continues to make mistakes. That’s how we learn, and you never stop learning.

11

And as Scott Glen said in “Sucker Punch”, “One more thing…”

Look for any clubs in your area, and join one. Even with the lockdowns, the human interaction is invaluable. You cannot get that from YouTube. If you can see other people’s work, and show yours, and talk about it, you will get a lot of good information, advice, and comments.

12

Curiousity is a good trait to display. It should be rewarded, so just know that I’m not ranting, either.

Some of us have gadgets to open stuck paint jars because we’ve been building since we were kids and we’ve grown into old men. Arthritis, nerve damage, neurological issues, and the general wear-and-tear of time makes these “unnecessary” tools a blessing to those who need them. If you’ve ever had a square bottle of Testors explode in your hand when the vice-grip pliers came into play or if you’ve ever nearly severed a finger using a dull hobby knife to pry off a crusty Pactra cap, those gadgets could have potentially saved you from learning those hard lessons about how to properly store your paint so stuck lids aren’t a concern to begin with.

Why do I have purposed scribers and gravers? So I don’t have to use the back of my hobby knife. When I do that, I wind up with lines just as wide as the tip of the knife, which is often far out of scale; the lines tend to be a bit on the rough side because the tip likes to skip as it catches and grabs at the plastic; the knife has a hard time rendering circles and ovals; and I sometimes have to deal with the tip breaking off the blade and embedding itself in the plastic. With my scriber, I cut smooth, clean curls of plastic, which leaves little or no clean-up;: I have finer control over the width and depth of the lines; and it can handle shapes such as ovals and circles with far greater ease than the knife. It’s simply the better tool for fine details.

Why do I have a lot of different brushes in different sizes? I have a lot of reasons for having an assortment of brushes. For instance, I have a set reserved specifically for metallic paints. There is another set reserved for working with pigments and weathering powders and others reserved for use with glues or solvents. There’s a big mix of sizes, because every size fits a specific job or function. Beats the hell out of using the square bristle nylon brushes I used as a kid for every job at the bench.

Why all the paint? Depends on the effect I want. For instance, I prefer enamels for metallic effects, where I prefer to use acrylics for cloth and skin tones. I use artists oils for washes and weathering applications. Because I literally use only a few drops of paint at a time, there are quite a few bottles of different paint sitting on my shelf, but that’s a bit of a blessing in its own way. The closest hobby shop is 250 miles down the road, so there are no quick trips to get more.

As you progress in the hobby, you’ll find the tools that make your time at the bench a little easier and perhaps even a little more rewarding. In the end, whatever tools make their way onto your bench will serve your purposes in a way that only you can every really appreciate. They will fit your abilities, techniques, and preferences, as well as the job you have at hand.

13

All of the above info is great info. It was all gathered over years of experiance building models by those who posted it. Sit back, relax and work with the tools and paints of your choice. You will pick up more info and tips to help you build better as you go. You will use the tools of your choice because it’s your hobby. You don’t have to use the tools others use, unless you want to. You only have to please yourself.

Enjoy the hobby.

Jim [cptn]

Stay Safe.

14

It’s an interesting question and I appreciate the post. When I think back when I was building kits as a young man you had your moms tweezers, your sisters nail clippers and nail file and a dozen or so testors/pactra paint bottles and a couple rattle cans - maybe some nail polish. The choices at the 5 and dime (look that one up lol) were limited so you built your kits with what was available. Fast forward to the OPs question and it must be overwhelming. For that matter, I took 3 or 4 years off a few years back and when I returned I had to figure out all the new manufacturers of kits, paints, supplies, after market stuff etc.

It’s awesome that the industry has answered the call with so many options, but I see where you’re coming from.
And defining ‘need’ in our hobby is somewhat subjective. Lol

15

Nail clippers???

Nah, just twist the parts off the sprue.

Later I did “borrow” my father’s SAK.

Old habits are hard to break.

Bill

16

…and use Duco Household Cement!

17

I could probably get by if I had to without an airbrush if all I used were flat paints. But I maintain doing a brushmark-less good gloss paint job is even harder than learning to use an airbrush well. I consider myself competent on an airbrush, but my freehand gloss paints certainly do not have the master’s touch.

18

A lot of input here. If you watch Plasmo (I do and still learn from him) You’ll see some of his vis showcase on how to make your own tools. Do you need them, no. As most of us, I started out with a tube of glue (1965) and grew my tools over years and years of collecting. Plasmo and many of the other “professional” YouTube modlers are given much of what they have as advertisments. The manufactures figure, rightly, that we who watch will see the ease at which the spotlighted modlers build or paint with their new shinny tools and will want said shinny tool. It is true that after watching sain new shinny tool, I have myself Googled the name and price. Sometimes I get it and sometimes I don’t.

A lot of my “toolbox” is also made up of regular household items. Nail files, clipers, old toothbrushes, sizzors ETC. are all fine additions. You may also run across items you find in your everyday life. Tweezers, old dental picks, silly putty, toothpicks, cotton swabs, wire, solder…

If you watch Plasmo then you will see a demonstration (replication) of his first kit. He explains that when he started all he had was oil paint and a brush. My paint collection has grown over the years as I, who have been building for 55 years now, still can’t find a paint I like. I will usually buy a bottle or two for an upcoming build and voila! In no time a paint collection. As has been stated, don’t worry about air brushes fancy paint brushes and the like, just enjoy, look through the forums, FSM as well as others. Don’t be discouraged or turned away from the hobby by someone elses beautiful seemingly impossable to learn skill and masterpiece, it will come…in time. Remember, most of us have been building since the 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s and are still learning. David Danek (Plasmo) is a phenom, and it comes naturally to him.

19

Speaking only for myself, it’s because I’m half nuts to begin with and just love tools and gadgets…a dangerous combination!

I take no offense from your question at all, I think it is perfectly reasonable! [Y]

20

This is interesting to me as years ago I resolved to spend less on kits and more on tools (let me qualify that by stating that I build mostly older kits – not the modern shake and bake stuff).

Some tools are gimics for sure. For example, I bought a CA Glue applicator years ago, turns out it was just a sewing needle cut off half way up the ‘eye’ to create a small ‘fork’ at the end to theoretically hold a small amount of glue. It never worked great and was always clogged with dry glue anyway. Now, I just use stretched sprue–Best CA applicator I have found.

On the other hand, I spent most of my modeling journey just using the old #11 xacto blade. Now I have Xacto #11, xacto chisel blade, a curved scapel and a regular scalpel blade. I can never go back to just a #11 blade now.

Last comment: I don’t know where this idea comes from that an airbrush is hard to learn/master? It’s really not a complicated tool at all.