Best Scale Modeling Supplies for Beginners | 10 Essential Tools to Get Started

In this video, I'll show you my top ten recommendations for the gear you'll need to get into the hobby of scale modeling. These are good quality tools that will last you a long time & help you break into the world of scale modeling (without breaking the bank)!

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[richardbedard]

I'm 76 now, and I remember when paying $5.00 for a kit was expensive! Now I have several unfinished models(that are probably older than some of your channel members)and I look forward to getting them to the finished stage once I get my cabin finished, and my shop in order.

[ytsusan]

My 13 year old grandson is visiting and he's really into WWII model airplanes. As a Grandma who has always loved hobbies, I've bought him about 10 airplanes from the hobby shops. He lives in a very rural area of WV and had never been in the kind of shops we have here in Spokane WA, he's loved every minute in them. Now I'm getting myself educated on building them in order to assist him better. I even got two models to build alongside him. I've made a list of the products from your video we still need to get. Thank you so much for this video!

[php]

By far the most difficult modellers tool purchase was an airbrush and compressor setup. It was also a very difficult learning experience for me to get good with the airbrush. However, I was super fortunate to have a brother who was a true hardcore advanced modeller move back to my hometown he allowed me unlimited access to all his professional airbrush equipment but taught me some good quality of life air brush hacks and open a whole new network of friends in the Canadian IPMS. Rest his soul and may he always be patrolling the heavens in his BF -109G. The most important secret of owning an airbrush is to clean, clean and clean it very thoroughly between paint sessions, this cannot be emphasized enough and eliminate so much frustration.

[mikeandalicescott]

72 years old now, have lots of hobbies and keep very busy, but I thought that I might like to try modelling. Haven't done models since I was 15, but I figured what the heck, it can't be too hard. Was I ever wrong. Foolishly I got my wife to buy me a Tamiya 1/32 Spitfire Mk IXc for Christmas, because I love WWII planes. After reading the instructions, and watching several YouTube videos, I'm now really worried that I'm going to have a lot of trouble just trying to get it together, let alone painting. And some of the painting videos I watched just had me shaking my head in complete confusion, with their washes, weathering, etc. My model has over 50 paints required! But I found your videos; tools to get, easy models to try at first, how to paint, etc. What a relief to have someone explain the craft as well as you do. Thanks so much. I'm going to get the Airfix 109 and ease into modelling, then tackle the Sherman, and maybe the Panther, and maybe then I'll be able to try the Spitfire. It looks like so much fun after one gets good at it, so I'll work my way up. And after every session modelling I'll relax with a good craft beer, cheers to you. Thanks!!

[garyginn]

Like so many of us "older" guys I started out building car, plane, or ship models. Then as I got older my interest switched to hanging with my friends and girls, then college, a job, marriage, kids, 2.3 — two girls and 3 dogs, can't forget the dogs😄. As my life starts to settle down and my oldest off to college, I found time to come back to the hobby I missed. With retirement on the horizon, I need to build up my stash!

With any job or hobby, you need the right tools for the job. I used your video as my checklist, and I have all of your recommendations as my basic setup. You are correct, of course, brushes are nothing to skimp over. I transformed all of my old watercolor brushes for models, and they work great! The paint we use is another tool, which many will have their favorite type and brand. I still have several bottles of Testors enamel a few bottles of Tamiya, but my go to is Vallejo acrylic paints and washes, easy to work with a paint brush and airbrush really easy cleanup without paint thinner wafting through the air and house - pew!🤢

This is a fun hobby and there is always something to learn from everyone in the hobby. Watching Hank of SpruesNBrews gives a lot of tips and tricks I have learned to incorporate into my builds (and an adult beverage or two).

Thank you for your well put together and informative videos! 👍

[maquettemusic]

Hey, I'm pretty new to modelling, and find your channel super accessible and easy going. There's no pushy videos, nothing difficult to follow and it's a lot easier to watch your personality than a lot of others. So, thank you!

[PrtectAndSurvive]

Unlike most people, my parents don’t really have the money to buy me modeling tools, for example. For sanding I use nail file that my mother gave me that she found in one of her packs, for glue I’ll use some glue I found at a flea market, and for brushes I use some that I got at dollar tree. for cutting sprews I use some hobby knifes I got from my grandparents and my cutting Matt is just a sheet of rubber that I found on my uncles house that he let me take home and the models are mostly starter sets so I don’t have to spend a lot of money. Anyways I’m just gonna try to get a set of model tools, paints and higher quality brushes for Christmas.

[Ty-erok]

This is great! I'm 61 and started built my first kit, a Land of The Giants "Spindrift" in the late 60's. Really got into it from there. One of my proudest accomplishments was building a Space Odyssey 2001 Orion orbiter and lighting it up by painting the interior flat black and inserting a penlight through the bottom. I don't think anybody other than special effects people were doing anything like that back then.

The hardest thing back then was the Testers glue we had. It was crap and took the longest time to dry and if you were not careful, went all over the place. The glue available today is such a game changer.

Anyway, haven't built one in years and getting ready to get back in which is how I came on your video. Definitely picking up the glue for sure and possibly an airbrush and compressor.

[cr-ux]

Man I just started modeling all you begginer vids help me so much there’s not much I have found for beginners on yt but you have taught me a lot just 30 mins! Can’t we wait to see you grow on yt much more

[Kozzzmozzz]

My uncle was a WW2 model builder back in the day when i was young, it looked amazing his diorama's. Now im 42 and I'm getting the itch to do this. thank you for your very helpfull channel, my itch is growing 🙂

[gerhardmoeller]

Great…. I am newly retired and looking for another hobby (along with photography and amateur astronomy). I built many model airplanes as a kid… And your videos have reinvigorated my enthusiasm for the same. And, you have given me the tools, to potentially do a much better job. Anxious to get started. Thank you so much.

[ingramdw]

I'm looking foward to getting back into modelling after I retire (soon). I have a feeling I'm also going to need a magnifying glass and a bright light, my eyes aren't what they were the last time I built a model - around 50 years ago!

[jimmychengdu]

Without a doubt a fabulous communicator AND easy to follow step by step. I can’t tell you how many times I started a video that was going to be good and informative, but it was just to different to listen to, you have a keen and witty sense of humor without "trying " to be funny-your a natural teacher and master of communication, Im happy to have found your channel.

[YallMFsNeedJesus]

As a fella who’s been modeling/ building for over 30 years and made his way into the Special Effects industry, this is good advice.

[AlpenaAthiest]

I loved modeling as a kid, now at 61 want to do it again only stepping up the game. I watched this video and ordered everything from your links. Bought a few cheap, easy models to get started before I tackle my Jupiter 2, Spindrift, Enterprise etc. Thanks for the info, very helpful for a beginner.

[marksaenz]

Thanks for the video! I'm working my way back into the hobby after being away for probably 30 years, with the exception of the airbrush, these were my gotos as well.

[geoffreyentwistle]

Exactly what I was looking for - I always love seeing people who can explain WHY they recommend something; I also appreciate knowing where pros find they can cut corners, as opposed to where they highly recommend a particular product or brand.

[ricksrealpitbbq]

One more plus for an air brush is that you can spray any color you want. When I first started building models my spray choices were limited to what colors I could find in aerosol cans. I’ve been into modeling since the 60’s.

[efandapp]

I agree with all of your suggestions. The nippers, Tamiya glue, thin masking tape and sanding sticks were the biggest game changers for me when I was first starting out.

[marksixofone]

Thanks. A great range of tools to start out with. I would suggest wooden tooth picks/cocktail sticks and cotton buds/Q-tips as absolute modelling essentials.