Measuring Tools:

You will need a selection of plastic or steel rulers. You will use them not only for measuring but also for tracing and adding details to your model. Remember if you are a serious modeler planning to modify some plastic kits, you will need a ruler to measure reference plans and calculate scales from photographs.

Knives Set Edged Tools:

Commonly know as the "X-Acto knife" or "Hobby Knife". For most modelers it is the most used and important tool. It is a good idea to have a good set of different blades and handles. The photo on the right shows you a nice "Hobby Knife Kit".

Another type of edged tool is the "U" shape razor saw. If you are planning to make heavy modifications to your plastic kit, make sure to consider a razor saw.

CAUTION: Do not let small children operate this type of tool without adult supervision.

Clamping Tools:

Standard or cross-action tweezers are indispensable. These tools are ideal for handling small pieces or holding parts for painting.

Standard clamps are also very useful for holding components together for glueing and holding parts of different sizes for painting.

Rubber bands, masking tape, wood clothespins, and even paper clips can be used for clamping.

Airbrushes:

The airbrush is a miniature spray gun that blends a stream of air with paint depositing the resulting mixture smoothly over a surface. The required air is generally supplied by a compressor. The most common and simplest airbrush is the external mix single action (a color bottle or cup is plugged into the back of the fluid tip)

Types of paint:

• Enamel: This is the most common type of paint for modelers. Manufacturers of this type of paint are Testors, Humbrol and Pactra among others.
• Lacquer: This type of paint normally comes in spray cans.
• Acrylic: These paints can not be mixed with enamel paints, they are water-thinnable (not water-soluable)

Glue

Also known as "Cement" comes in different types:

• Tube cement: Thickened plastic that comes packaged in a squeeze tube, it has a relative quick drying time.
• Liquid cement: It requires the use of a brush for application to the seam of two surfaces held together in contact. In most cases this type of glue is more effective because when applying it flows along the joint and dries rapidly. This type of cement actually dissolves the surface of the plastic parts held together, producing a solid bond.
• The "Superglues": They dry in 10 to 45 seconds. This type og glue is excelent for glueing antennas, landing gears and other small parts.