15 Essential Modelling Tools On A Budget - Ideal For Beginners 

"You can borrow a sanding stick from your girlfriend or wife...." Bold of you to assume that we have the kind of social skills required to get a girlfriend. XD

Lesson learned: any tool with "modelling dedicated" costs at least twice as much

Ok oncle, we want to see now how you USE this tools. We need a next masterpiece to wonder how tf it looks so good...

To apply ca glue, I use a sewing needle that I open up the eye by cutting off the end. I put this in a pin vice. The eye collects a small amount of glue and then capillary action sucks it out. I also disassemble clothes pins (pegs) and assemble them backwards so the flat ends are held together by the spring, making a better clamp.

I really appreciate that he actually goes into a bit of detail on why and how you should use these things, very well done!

For supergluing photoetch I used sewing needles with half the eye cut off, one larger one and one small one, these are in pin vise (drill) handles, they work like a tiny old fashion pen tip, they hold a small amount of glue, best part is at the end of the session run a lighter or candle under the tip and the glue burns off and your ready to rock the next session ! Love your channel Martin, you da man !!!!

One of my favorite items I tend to use allot...A good 6" steel ruler! Providing a nice straight edge for any type cutting, tape, PE etc.

Blu Tack is probably another essential. You can use it to hold parts to sticks/pegs for painting, clean paint clogged sandpaper and use it to assist in test fitting.

Im 73 and just returning to modelling. You are a real joy :)

I use old CD/DVD discs instead of cutting mat for PE parts.

I used to use nail clippers instead of side cutters. Great video!

I like the comment about "things you have laying about the house" and "items that you will keep for years". I used to make models in my late teens (mainly planes back then) but then moved away from the hobby as I grew older. Back then though, I used to make my models with my Grandfather. He was retired and a full time modeller, though he mainly built large model railways and fully rigged wooden ships (from the ground up...fully framed and planked and so on. I mean , these were not kits but honest, fully working large scale multi-decked Ships of the Line and Frigates and so on that he build from blueprints. Measuring and cutting the wood to size and carving the intricate parts by hand). He passed away in 1994 and as the family cleared his possessions and so on (the railways were donated to modelling railway societies and many of his ship's blueprints ended up with museums) I however requested his unfinished models and associated paints and boxes of "modelling things" as my inheritance from him. During the Covid lock downs, I started to finish his models and finally looked through the boxes of modelling items. I had looked before but this time I really looked at what was there. I found selections of tweezers, glue applicators, selections of knives (blades and sharpening stones) and small hand held pin drills and so on. Boxes of modelling tools, some purchased God knows when and some hand made. I am so very happy to be finishing his models and using his tools to complete them and its like I'm a teenager again and he is with me. I have even started to buy my own kits and building up a stash of models to work on through winter. Thank you so much for your channel and the videos you provide us. They are brilliant and I know my grandfather would have loved them.

wait... you're telling me you used a pair of scissors to cut pieces off sprues for 20 years...

Don’t know how he gets accurate details on his models when he moves around so much Damn he’s expressive af 😂😂😂😂

I just thought, dont you want to make "challenge" video, about doing small model with "beginner pack" - five different paints, two cheap brushes and paper knife?

I save the little plastic bits that my contact lenses come in, for brush painting and holding glue. they are small about the size of a thumb, and the foil cover seals are very useful for making things like seatbelts and straps. Reuse as much as possible.

Best thing are those inverted tweezers wich hold automatically without you touching and open if you press it

Hey uncle Night Shift, just passing to say hi and see the video. Cheerssssss

You know how last summer you took a little modelling break during the vacations... This year you could take that opportunity to do something totally off topic like show off your bike, there were comments about that in other videos... Also you mentioned guitar strings, I'm assuming you play? You look like a guy who plays a bit of guitar, show us your rig!! It could be a good "chill time" video to take a break, clean the slate and get back to modelling after the vacations are over!! Just a thought... Anyways, keep 'em coming!! We love you!!!

Sprue goo ( sprue dissolved in glue) is also a must at no cost

I just added a whole pile of new hemostats, tweezers, etc. Managed to slice the crap out of myself, needed 6 stitches. The hospital has to throw away the suture kit once it's been opened, so I insisted that it was coming home with me.

I’ve been in this hobby for about a year and I used a lot Tamiya extra thin cement and I like it.

Until the day I die, I will keep defending revell contacta. I find it really useful for gluing big parts, like hull halves and big armored plates.

Thanks Uncle, enjoy your weekend!

Just got back into modeling after 40 years and have learned a lot of things from watching your videos. Thank you.

*Even if i'm an experimented modeler i like this kind of video with cheap prices, 👍👍👍*

Tweezers I do reccomend the expensive “modeling” ones or just thick well made ones with different tips. I had a revlon one at home, worked OKish, bought a cheap set of 4 from the dollar store, absolutely atrocious, didn’t work at all. Bought an excel set worked decent, finally bought a Tamiya fine tweezer. Love that thing. So much better.

I would absolutely like to see another segment on more extensive (expensive?) tools. Then, a primer on the use of these tools would be wonderful. As always, thanks so much for sharing. Steve

Amazing video! I was lucky enough to inherit my granddad’s tools when he moved, So I didn’t have to buy an expensive starter kit. I’m happy you’ve been able to find low budget versions on everything I could possibly need!

Great tips for beginners - starting simple and building up tools slowly from the basics.

Good video! I think masking tape is good thing for beginners. You can use for holding the parts while gluing:)

Thank you for the tips. Really enjoying your builds.

hyped to see part 2 :)

Thanks for the info - having an overview of the basic tools lowers the hurdle to start modeling quite a bit!

Thank you for this great video!! :) I decided to make an index as i find myself trying to remember some products but having to rewatch the entire video (not a bad thing, but also not the best when youre in a hurry haha). I was actually trying to find the brand of black CA glue you use and thought it was in here but actually didnt find it in the video haha. 0:00 Intro 0:20 Picking your first model 0:45 Cutters/ scissors 1:41 Blades 3:31 Sanding 5:28 Tweezers 6:05 Plastic glue/cements 7:37 Clamping 8:19 Super/ CA glue 9:00 Super glue applicator 9:37 Putty/filler 10:18 Putty applicator (the tool you showed is not to expensive and hard to find. Search for clay or wax modelling tools ;) ) 11:02 Drilling 12:54 Cutting mat / cutting surface for PE 13:28 Total price and Outro 15:05 You patreons rock!

That dentist part was brilliant! 😂🦷

What an excellent Primer for people starting out, but it's good to see what you use and recommend. I'm fairly new to the hobby and have learnt heaps from you and Plasmo. I'm truly grateful that you take time to show excellent work and how we can achieve similar results. Thanks Uncle!

FWIW, I'm new to the hobby, but I've got 30 years of experience in adjacent hobbies (miniatures and terrain.) After years of using Xacto knives (which are basiclly mass-market scalpels marketed to hobbyists), I went to the source: I started working with actual scalpels. I picked up a professional scalpel handle (which was cheap) and a pack of replaceable blades. I haven't touched my Xacto since. They're sharper than Xacto blades, hands-down. The blades are also a lot cheaper ('marketed to hobbyists' generally means high prices.) They're slightly more flexible, which can be both good and bad. They're thinner, more prices, and give cleaner, thinner, neater cuts. The only downside is that they dull a little quicker (but not that much quicker.) For tougher materials - like metals - I'd stick with the Xacto. But for regular use, I love my scalpels.

Anytime I see an expensive miniature tool, I'm like "hardware store" it will have the same and better stuff at a cheaper price and is well better made. When a company is in a specialisation market the price always gets jacked up. Hell I got a set of different twezzers from a local euro store had 3 different ones in it and was 1.50 or 2 euro, id pay that over the 12 euro ones in a box that says "miniature"

Awesome video as always!

I use Pringle lids for super glue. The plastic is soft enough the it’s easy to make a small depression with the end of the handle of a needle file or a paintbrush, which makes a perfect spot to deposit a small puddle of the thin types of super glue. The cool thing is that when you’re done and the leftover glue dries, it very easily peels right off. One Pringle lid will last ages. For application to the model, I use beading type of wire that they use to make jewelry. It comes in different gauges which is handy. I take a small length and use smooth jaw pliers and I squish one end and then I take the squished end and I fold that into a V shape down the length and when I dip it in the glue it’ll draw up a nice little bead for precision deposits. If I want to put on more glue I use thicker wire for less I use thinner wire. It’s my own little system I came up with years ago. Try it.

I really like these new : beginner / how to / preference video. That is really why i sticked to your channel in the first place : cause you are always why you are doing this and not that, how to use things and all. That is really helpfull for beginners or just people wanting to learn new things of the hobby and all. I hope there will be more video like that in the future, like some good beginner model / brands and things like that. Continue the great work and can't wait to be next week !

Super glue tip: Get a jar - a condiment jar will work. Fill it half full of dry rice. Keep your superglue in there with the lid on. Superglue cures in the presence of moisture. That's why it gets thick or goes bad so fast - the moisture in the air causes it to cure, and as soon as you open the tube, the process starts, and superglue lids are not air tight. A closed jar full of rice doesn't have any moisture. Bonus feature: you can store the super glue upside down so that the glue is always near the top.

My first 2 models where just completed on the weekend, I only had 3 tubes of superglue, a kitchen knife and eyebrow tweezers (the wide tip ones). And it worked perfect. Cost $4 aud so like 2 euros.

keep up the AMAZING model content!

Thanks for the tips👍

I love your channel! I have been getting a lot of info and great techniques on how to detail and paint.

I really like your videos. Thank you for being entertaining!

Great tips, thankyou for sharing.

I do all my modeling on a sheet of (clear) plexiglass. Bought at a home store and cut to the size of my desktop with a box cutter. You can cut on it, use it as a paint pallet, and spill glue or paint on it, and wipe it off. Easily replaced, about once a year, with a new, clean one... And it protects your desktop, which might help save your marriage...

Thank you for sharing your tips, I appreciate this very much.

Wonderful video mate, As a 40yr veteran scale modeller I was curious as to what you'd recommend and I believe you got it just right. Not to few tools, not to many but spot on. Only wish there was RU-vid and good advice like this 40 years ago for oh I don't know.. Maybe a 10 year old kid growing up on a tiny tropical island in North Queensland Australia with only 1500 residents, 2 pubs, 1 small grocery story and a post office.

Love these kinds of videos, would like to see more!

My first tank is a 1:35 scale M48 by Revell. Probably not the best starter for me but I think it turned out well for me

Very good ideas, Uncle Night Shift. Recently I had to replace my Tamiya sprue cutters. They lasted 20+ years, so no complaints. I replaced them with a set of electronics side cutters meant for doing small soldering jobs. They appear to be EXACT copies of the Tamiya's. Got them for $6 US off Amazon. Another thing I have done is to buy medical scapels to augment the standard hobby knife. Much finer cuts. They are less than one would think. I got a handle and 7 blades for about $7 US. Again off Amazon. The thing to do, is just keep an open mind. Just because it isn't meant for modeling; doesn't mean it can't be repurposed for it. Use your imagination and you would be surprised at what you can use.

I haven’t built a Proper kit but this is really gonna help me

What a great video for new modellers I use a wall tile for mixing paint I clean after use good as new.

This was excellent!

Great work keep it coming brother

Blue Tak ( or Blue Tack) - good for holding and placing photo etch and securing for soldering .- it's "pretty ok".

Very informative. Thank you

Nice video. Great advice 😊

Great video, very informative. I've got a few store bought sanding sticks but mostly I make own by gluing sand paper on to pop-sickle sticks with spray adhesive. It's very cheap and if I need a rounded one I can make it with dowel or some other shaped piece of wood.

That's going to be of great value to someone starting out Martin. Good video. 👍 cheers

mate i just started with modeling and so you are very helpful, thank you

Old CD's and DVD's are good for squirting super glue onto.

Cutting: Side cutters are great, I don't use a particularly fancy one either, altho I'm kinda tempted by fancy tools. I have 2 surgical scalpels (no.4 and no.3 Handle) with those blades that you have to click into place, mostly because I found these kinds of blades to be more securely mounted and also cheaper. Sanding: Sanding sticks are great, I only use sanding paper for really big things (like larger fdm prints) since they are way cheaper, than sanding sponges. I'm also using very thin files, that were originally bought by my dad in east Germany. Tweezers are a must have, but I always seem to loose mine somewhere, idk. I should probably get a pair of good ones once, so I hold on to them longer. Cements: I've been searching for a cement, that I like for a long time. I did use the thin Revell cement for quite a bit, but I wasn't that satisfied with it, I'll give Mr.Cement S a try. I haven't had great experiences with brush applicators and therefore stuck with the needle applicators, maybe you could mix the needle applicator with a very thin glue, might also be a thing I'd try. I have always been using grocery store grade superglue and toothpick combo. I absolutely can't stand the gel kind of super glue though, it's just awful to work with imo. Puttys: Tamiya Basic putty all day for me too. I've tried a bunch out, including Revell and a few others, but I've always returned to Tamiya. I've always used old short hobby blades for application, and I'm doing that since my dad taught me how to do it, when I was 6 years old or so. Drills: I've scooped up a hand drill for a very low price somewhere, it's not great, but it does it's job decently. For bigger model modifications, I use a Proxxon Micromot 50/E (the same one, that Plasmo uses iirc) it's light and easy to handle and isn't that expensive. That extra PE cutting pad is a great idea, thanks for that.

THANKS. GREAT VIDEO! MODEL MASTER BLADES SEEM THE SHARPEST OF ALL I'VE TESTED.

I use a curved nail chopper for the spruces and it is handy to use for diorama . Otherwise I must say I agree with all what was said and will try out that Mr Glue next time. Thanks for all your great videos, I’m learning tons of stuff about all the things that didn’t exist when I was a child and how they should and could be used. Like the casted armor surface . Been doing this for two years and my models looks so much better after taken your advises not mentioning the inspiration and humor you out in. Thanks for every thing Uncle Nightshift!

Martin, Vaše posledné videá sa mi naozaj veľmi páčia, veľmi dobrá práca, snáď Vás neurazí, že je to najmä kvôli minimálnemu množstvu sarkazmu. Ďakujem i za fajn tipy. Teším sa na ďalšie Vaše videá.

I'm just starting out. This was very helpful. More videos like this would be great for beginners who watch your channel.

uncle NS pls, start a new model. maybe one with full interior. you can talk about the tools while building ;)

Thank you for your very useful and informative tips, especially for me as a beginner 👍👌

I’ve used the same nail clipper to cut the sprues for 45+ years. It’s snips the sprue close enough to where you only need a cursory swipe with a nail buffer. I “borrowed” some stuff from my sisters make-up equipment.

For Americans with very expensive dentists' appointments, Harbor Freight sells sets of dentists' "pusher tools" for putty as "PITTSBURGH Stainless Steel Carving Set, 6 Pc." and "pick tools" as "PITTSBURGH Hook & Pick Set, 6 Pc."

Finally, someone that DOESN'T say use a piece of glass or tile to cut PE on. A small slab of 1mm/40 thou plastic card is all you need. Don't use "sandpaper", use good quality wet n' dry paper sold in DIY or car parts shops, will last 10 times longer and available in many grits. Go for known makes from US or UK, not the Chinese or Indian stuff, doesn't flex and lower quality grit. Just my tuppence worth, as a professional model master maker. Humbrol made the best liquid poly cement,until they changed the recipe (thanks EU) but MIG is pretty good, or Tamiya/Mr S as you showed.

Great video.

Great tips. I think the addition of needle files should be added to the list. Especially, if you are working with 3D printed models. Like the R2D2 I'm currently working on. Needle files get into detailed places where a hobby knife isn't feesible. Nice video.

Very interesting ; thanks !

great video!

1. Use a scalpel, handle a couple of Euros, blades 100 for less than 10 Euros, lots of profiles available 2. Get nail polishers, 6 in a pack, 3 Euros, buy wet/dry paper in various grade from car accessory shop 4 to 8 Euros. Pull off abrasive surface and stick them to the back of the wet/dry paper, 6 grades for different requirements, I did this 6 years ago and am probably 10% of the way through them, cost 20 Euros.

Another great informative video. More, we need more, videos like this, if not for the entertainment value. 👍

Great video thanks

Thanks your the reason I joined the model community

Interesting and helpful. Waiting for the next instalment uncle. Maybe something on brushes. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

One of the best purchases I've made in terms of tools was a random gundam/modeling set which was just a bunch of different sanders/files, a hobby knife, a pair of nippers and some nice tweezers. Don't think the whole thing cost more than 15€, shipping included. Of course I forgot to get cement so that was a fun month of having a model and not being able to do anything with it :v

Nice and very helpful vídeo. Thanks.

I’d like to know how much I’ve spent on cement in total. Actually I think it’s a good thing I don’t know though haha

All great tools to have!!!!!!!!!!! 👌

For sprue cutters I use flush cut nippers commonly used in electronics and electrical construction where the wire and cable ties have to be cut flat. Super cheap, like $7. I probably use files more than sand paper. A cheap set of mini files is about $10 at places like Harbour freight. I by my #11 hobby knife blades in lots of 300 online for less than $20. I also go through a box of 100 single edge razor blades a year. For fine sanding sponges I go to autobody supply stores where they are $4 for a 6 inch square pad.

Your list is the typical tool list of military modellers. I do also Wargaming, and since then I learned about Green Stuff. You can do a lot with this 2 component compound, I wish I had Green Stuff 30 years ago. I used Tamiya putty back then, but it takes so long to dry. I also find it difficult to shape after drying.

Nice info! Just a point to mention regarding the Tamiya " Basic putty" grey; It also sinks in a little after or while drying so adding a little more to make a bulge and then sanding away helps to counter this. This however does not always work especially if you have a very uneven surface with random textured detail. None the less a very essential tool.

100% agree, out of all the tools I have, these are the ones I use. The rest not so much.

Thank you for the video. It helps me a lot! I always give you thumbs up 👍🏻! Meow!

Very nice video! Thank you :)

Great vid. Not new to modelling but returning. Blu tac and toothpicks should be made a legal requirement. Real multi tools. I also have several small flexible poly glue spreaders (sometimes come with tubes of glue). Cut more narrow they can be great for squeegeeing filler into gaps

My tip, if like me you've bought many, many Revell 1/72 aircraft kits in starter packs and wound up with a ton of those Contacta tubes things is to empty them into an old Tamiya Extra Thin or Mr. Cement bottle and use with the little brush! Less mess all round, and saves space too!

I only use manicure tools for cutting, as for paint, i use standard acrylic spray paints or the ones on metal buckets that needs to be diluted with lacquer thinner

Don't know about Europe but in Canada and the US you can pick up most of these generic products in the dollar store. They also have a lot of stuff useful in making dioramas including cheap white glue, foam board, all kinds of acrylic paints and even different kinds of moss, gravel, assorted sizes of wood etc. One of their best bargains is 4 little tubes of super glue in a plastic container. You use up each little tube before it dries out as the bigger containers are prone to do and if it does dry out it only cost you a few pennies so who cares. When you're done you have a small plastic container for storing mixed paints, scenery materials etc.

i build gunpla mostly where the kits snap fit tightly together, and one of the most essential tools i have and would recommend to anyone is a little nylon spudger. its a rod of nylon with pointed ends to help separate parts and such, but i use it for much more than that. Manipulating decals, removing plastic burrs from sanding, all sorts of things. Cost a few dollars from an electronics shop and is incredibly handy