FineScale Modeler: The 12 ESSENTIAL tools for plastic model building for beginners

Welcome to FineScale Modeler magazine's Scale Model Basics: The 12 basic scale modeling tools you need! In this Scale Model Basics, Tim Kidwell goes through the 12 essential tools you will need when you pick up scale modeling for the first time or as a returning modeler.

00:00 Opening
00:51 Essential tools
03:44 Glues
0 6:43 Paintbrushes
07:38 Review
09:04 Closing

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Links

Airbrush air supply | Airbrushing with Aaron Episode 2:

Clean your airbrush | Airbrushing with Aaron Episode 3:

Basic painting | Airbrushing with Aaron Episode 4:

Priming your models | Airbrushing with Aaron Episode 5:

Using Filler | Airbrushing with Aaron Episode 6:

Shading techniques | Airbrushing with Aaron Episode 7:

Masking with tape | Airbrushing with Aaron Episode 8:

Serious masking with Silly Putty | Airbrushing with Aaron Episode 9:

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Find us on socials

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[shawnkilgore]

Nice vid. Great Jump in from ground Zero.

[I-Saw-It-Online-Hobbies]

Good old Testors cement. That has been a mainstay of my model building since the very beginning.

[matthewashley]

One of the best things about modern model building, whether you happen to be brand new or returning after a long hiatus, is how prevalent information is to help you improve by leaps and bounds. I recall a lot more esoteric knowledge that people refused to share once upon time. I pass on modern techniques with my dad and uncle, both still straight up little bottles of Testors era builders, and they are constantly blown away by the technical advancements that are commonplace and freely shared from builder to builder.

[philbrown]

A great starting set of tools. I'd add cocktail sticks, cotton buds, some fine, shaped, metal files, and half a dozen small plastic cups with lids for holding parts. Oh, and clothes pegs to hold parts together.

[michaelcooke]

Very nice tutorial on what is needed to build. Thanks for sharing.

[Wild-Dad]

If one is on a budget, especially if you are starting out or getting back in and your tools are lost, and or seized from age, you can also get a number of these tools at your local “dollar” store. You can a variety of brushes and other finishing type tools there (tweezers, foam blocks, small cups to sort parts and/or to mix paints or even store mixed paints, Micheal’s is a very good place to get a variety of brushes and glues for attaching clear parts. I found a glue there that rivals mod podge and Krystal clear in both price and strength of adhesion.
Of course there are still many hobby stores (bricks and mortar and online, such as yours) where you can get all of the above and more!

[robs]

I'd say we were looking at #13 the whole time; I think a cutting mat fits right in on the list.

[davideldridge]

One thing to remember when you get tamiya cement, the brush can extend to get the cement when almost gone.

[grzegorz]

Well ...I would add decal setting and liquid mask products to be ready for everything you need to build a nice model

[AmateurScaleModelBuildi-ljso]

Great video, i started a YouTube mideling channel a few minths ago, after taking an over 40 year hiatus.
Great suggestions

[donnyswanson]

In certain cases I'll use the super glue for hiding seams instead of putty. Apply, smooth it out quickly with a qtip, let it dry, file, sand, and smooth out the seam. Not it's intended use but it works for me.. in some cases!

[ljscalemodels]

Hey Tim- cool video, thanks for sharing cheers Liam

[bobrivett]

Great, and i gree with you about basic essential tools. I built models, with exactly what you shown for at least 20 years, except the sanding sticks, i used various sand paper. I didnt buy an airbrush till 2007/2008, a badger siphon with canned air, model 200 i think. I did quite well with it, nothing phancy mind you. Anyway back to the bench. Thxs for the video.

[Jack-urin]

Do you have a set order for which to view your videos for a beginner ? I’m overwhelmed by the number of videos and I’d like to progress these videos in a logical sequence ….

[Pratt-zpmr]

Nice video and spot on! Returning to the hobby after raising kids, career, marriage, etc, Any recommendations for a good pair of scissors? I have big Polar bear hands but still need a good pair. Thanks from a returning FSM magazine subscriber!

[robertjensen]

What is the king of all tools?



The ruler.

[Ray]

I'd suggest a chrome pen, I use mine all the time.

[leonardromaniello]

Does Elmer's glue count as white glue?

[briannicklas]

The guy who invented the No 11 blade should be knighted and then get sainthood.

[rszanger]

Tamiya manufactures three to four different kinds of glues. Just like Tamiya models, Tamiya glues are better. I wouldn't want to use other glues. Side cutters are more essential than hobby knives cause side cutters cut small or/and tiny parts much easier, and cutting without making mistakes.