John Tapsell Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 I'm posting this question a number of forums so my apologies in advance if you have seen it elsewhere. I want to get a broad overview of what our community thinks and whilst there is an overlap in membership in many forums, there are also many modellers who stick to one modelling forum. If you had to reduce your modelling toolbox to just six 'essential' construction (not painting) tools, what would they be? My pick would be: -craft knife (my weapon of choice is a Swann Morton No.3 handle with a 10A blade) -needle nose tweezers -Metal ruler -sprue nippers -pin vice with a selection of drill bits -sanding stick (I started using glass/crystal sanding files recently) Your responses much appreciated. Thanks, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
echolmberg Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 Interesting topic! I'd have to say my six "must haves" would be (in no particular order): Flex-i-File (I know I said "no particular order", but this one would be definitely #1 on my list) Xacto knife polishing cloths sprue cutters Emory boards (the kind made with foam and found in the ladies' cosmetics aisle) Clamps of various sizes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 *Sprue Cutter *Magnifiers - glasses or Optivisor *Cross locking tweezers *Xacto handles with #11 blades *Strong lighting system *Variable Speed Rotary tool with appropriate bits Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 (edited) The scribers and point punches made from a worn out navigation divider of Dad's he gave me in the 1970s Xacto #11 blades Xacto #17 small chisel blade Sprue cutter - would probably take my model train rail cutter instead since it also cuts metal Pin vise with #56 to #80 drill bits --> and then we have a warp 5 head-on collision with the 6 tool limit because the kind of modeling I do can not be done without an assortment of files from mill file to watchmaker file sizes; plus multiple grades of sandpaper. --> Plus the large Xacto chisel blade which fits the big red #5 handle --> Plus a steel ruler/straight edge --> plus drafting triangles and circle templates All of the above, including 4 different files, were employed just a few minutes ago. Edited September 12, 2022 by southwestforests forgot a couple tools I'd just used Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 (edited) money internet connection beer band-aids a soundproofed room to suppress the cursing a Very Understanding spouse /s . Edited September 12, 2022 by habu2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 Its changed over the years. I remember getting along with a sharp knife and a metal file Side cutter File/sander tweezers PE parts bender (either pilers or a folding plate) Mag-glasses Airbrush setup Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FAR148 Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 I've found all I need is... A desk or workspace A light source Sanding sticks Super glue My airbrush And my compressor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Tweezers Hobby Knife sanding sticks super glue applicator liguid cement applicator sprue nippers I need more than 6 things 🙄 (maginifying goggles, pliers for opening paint bottles, paper towels, files, clamps, rubber bands, plastic strip, drills and pin vice, don't need photo etch it all goes into the carpet (see below) Things I don't have but I need: Anti-gravity device to put all the things that fall in the carpet back on the workbench. Football stadium lighting Happy Modeling Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Roof Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Almost all of my modeling is done with these same six items. The only thing that may change is the grit of the Infini sanding stick used. While I have a bunch of other tools, it's very rare that I use them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 (edited) A tube of glue black paint white paint red paint blue paint green paint, specifically RLM81 (brown version) Edited September 15, 2022 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swimmer25k Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Flat nose pliers for PE PE bending tool Punch and die set Mini razor saw mitre box for razor saw Dspaie circle cutter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eraucubsfan Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 (edited) As @habu2 said, an understanding spouse is #1 2. Would be some kind of background noise, I usually watch the Simpsons 3. Clear mind 4. A drink 5. Motivation 6. Have Fun and relax Edited September 15, 2022 by eraucubsfan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Hegedus Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 1. Time. 2. Motivation. 3. A comfortable chair. 4. A LOT of light. After that come the physical tools. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfgun33 Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Xacto knives (#11 and the curved one) Opti-visor Xuron sprue cutters Rescribing tool Flex-I-File Self closing tweezers Honorable mention: Sanding sticks from Hobby Lobby and tooth picks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parche Posted September 18, 2022 Share Posted September 18, 2022 On 9/12/2022 at 1:38 PM, habu2 said: money internet connection beer band-aids a soundproofed room to suppress the cursing a Very Understanding spouse /s . You win Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 (edited) The glue drawer The clamp drawer The sandpaper drawer The knife blade drawer The tape drawer The fancy schmancy tool drawer you know what, screw it. I need the whole double 4 drawer cabinets that hold up the ends of bench. Rick L. Edited September 20, 2022 by Spruemeister Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Smith Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 Tough call. I’ve always been a “tool guy” for anything I’m doing. Automotive work, yard work, household projects, woodworking and models. Modeling is my least expensive tool kit. going to skip my awesome bench and organization setup. But it’s a necessity for my success! 1). Optivisor. I might as well be Ray Charles without it. Some guys put on an apron as soon as they walk in their shop. Me? Optivisor. 2). Lights. I need lots of light. Very bright light, all LED. 3). Exacto hobby knife 4). Sprue cutters. 5). Assorted jewelers files and sanding sticks. 6). Cotton swabs with the 6” wood handle. Spray Zip kicker on then apply to CA glue while holding a part, burnishing down Bare Metal Foil, cleaning the tip on my airbrush when disassembled, applying and smoothing putty after dipping in lacquer thinner. And when done, I snip off the tip and save the dowel stick. I really put those to use a lot. Mixing sticks for epoxy or paint, carve the tips for burnishing tool when applying tape, combined with Ticky-tack to hold parts for painting, carve the tip down to hold wheels for painting. I place a small clamp on the other end to hold the stick upright with the part I’m painting standing upright. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spejic Posted September 28, 2022 Share Posted September 28, 2022 in order of how often I used them, it would be: knife handle with #11 blade knife handle with square #17 blade knife handle with round #13 blade knife handle with dull #11 blade electrician tweezers sprue cutters I have like 7 knife handles. My modeling became more enjoyable when I decided to get a bunch and not keep switching blade types. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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