We all reach that point in our hobby where we need more tools to make it easier and more enjoyable. Maybe its extra help in holding a small part or we want to take our painting to the next level and not smell up the garage when we paint. We will find the tools to take us there.
There are some great tools available as we become more advanced in our model building techniques. There are tools for holding parts while you sand and paint. An airbrush system with a portable paint-booth. A work station to keep your hobby setup, magnifying lamp, respirator and many more tools.
Let’s take a look at some of the tools available to choose from to make model making more fun and less frustrating.
Alligator Clips For Model Making
Alligator clips that come with a stand are very helpful for painting and drying your model parts. They come in different amounts in sets that are very inexpensive for the use you will get from them. These are a great help for spraying in a paint booth or hand brush painting.
ABEST Smart Model Hobby Parts Holder Airbrush Paint Spray Gun Booth Holder – Six Alligator Clip Stand: $13.99
This is for those times you need those extra hands and fingers for those smaller hard to paint parts. Includes 6 alligator clips with adjustable flexible rods and a magnetic base.
Allows you to keep your hands free and clean while airbrushing or hand painting your hobby model projects.
This is a great help for quicker, easier, repeatable, professional work.
Each clip is removable, positionable and is also ideal for use in a hobby spray booth.
Evemodel GJJC19B Painting With 20 pcs Alligator Clip Stick Set: $18.99
This set of helping hands is perfect for all types of model building. Made by Evemodel it is made of plastic, metal and is black in color.
The base size is approximately 8 x 6 inches (L x W) and the alligator clips are about 8 cm long.
The package includes 1 painting stand base and 20 alligator clips.
Magnifying Stations With Lights For Model Building
One tool you will love is a magnifying light on a stand. They can magnify up to five times but I prefer the 2.25 magnifying. Combine magnifying with a dimmable light and it becomes a very handy tool. They start out inexpensive at about $20 up to a couple hundred dollars if you want to spend that much.
LightView Pro Flex 2-in-1 Magnifying Glass LED Lamp – Lighted Magnifier with Stand:
This handy lamp is equipped with a genuine 5 diopter glass magnifying lens that will magnify objects 2.25 or 225% larger than their original size.
The lamps life expectancy is up to 15 to 20 years. The lamp’s gooseneck measures 13.5 inches long and it lets you adjust the height of the lamp from anywhere between 6 and 16 inches tall.
The clamp can be used on a desk up to approximately 2.5 inches thick, or use the table stand.
The light stays cool to the touch so it is easy to adjust the lamp while you are working.
The lamp’s cord is just under 5 feet long.
Beileshi 2.5X 7.5X 10X LED Helping Hands Magnifier Station: $20.99
This desktop magnifier with led light is the perfect addition to your modeling work station, providing light and holding clips.
The magnifying lamp has three kinds of interchangeable magnifying lens: 2.5X 90mm (diameter), 7.5X 34mm, 10X 34mm.
The power is supplied by external adapter or 3 * AA batteries (Not Included).
The Alligator clips can be adjusted freely, so you can get your parts in a comfortable position when you use it.
Folding Tables For Model Kit Making
Having a dedicated desk with drawers for building model kits is a must for keeping all your tools and paints organized. A good solid top is important and to have foldable legs when you need to move it is a big plus in a table. A wall mounted desk will have lots of storage space without taking up a lot of space.
Techni Mobili Modern Desk with Storage: $135
This handy modeling desk is made with heavy-duty particle board panels with a moisture resistant PVC laminate veneer in pine finish and measures 30″ x 21.7″ x 45.3″.
The legs are powder coated steel painted in white. Has a full width multi- compartment drawer for tool and accessory needs.
The back storage compartment opens up for accessible cord management and more storage space.
WLIVE Wall Mounted Desk with Storage Shelves:
This is a space-saving desk that can be wall mounted at any height to make your modeling area more convenient and save you space.
Features a side compartment with 2 adjustable shelves for storage with hidden cable and wire management to help keep your hobbies organized.
This desk is very easy to assemble with overall dimensions of 40.5″W x 19.7″D x 39.4″H. The weight capacity is 100 lbs
Hobby Trays For Model Building
There are hobby trays that are extremely helpful with a light attached to the back. These are a great way to keep your tools and model parts organized if your working with a limited amount of space. These are very inexpensive for the use you will get from having one.
Tamiya 74064 Work Station with Magnifying Lens:
This large magnifying lens (15x10cm) is perfect for making your work on small parts easier.
It has two adjustable arms to move the lens to the best position possible, with 6 white LED lights for extra lighting.
Complete with a bottle holder specially designed to fit Tamiya cement, acrylic paint and enamel paint bottles.
Includes Brush and clip holders.
HobbyTrayz 12×9 Modeling Base: $49.95
This Hobbytrayz tray will be very helpful and protective of your table. It is a 12″x9″ work space modeling base with a 20″x16″ footprint.
Designed for the model builder you can use it to organize, protect and enhance your workspace.
This helpful tool is perfect for the construction and maintenance of models.
Complete Tool Kits For Model Making
There are great selections of model making tool kits available for under $30.00. These kits include just about everything you need except for glue and paint. Look them over to see that they include side cutters, tweezers, files, and a good hobby knife as each company has a little different selection in them.
Driak Professional Model Basic Tools Craft Set:
This kit is a great tool set for model making as the tools are very lightweight and durable.
The Hand drill clamps tight and is made with stainless steel and anti-skid design.
The cutting pliers are made of carbon steels for long durability.
The tweezers are made of high strength stainless steel, anti-acid, anti-corrosion, heat-resistant metals.
This is a highly rated kit and will be a great help in completing those finishing touches.
Paint Selections For Model Kit Making
As we grow in the hobby of model kit building we need more paint colors in our selection. Buy an assortment of different colors like Vallejo 72 color basic set and they will last you for years. I’s less costly than running to the local hobby shop to buy a $5.00 bottle of paint every time we need one.
Vallejo Model Color – 72 Basic Colors Set in Plastic Case:
This 72 color paint set comes with a 17 ml. drop bottle, 3 toray brushes and a color chart that has all the color variations you will need. This color selection will take you from military to autos to airplanes or any model you need to paint.
The consistency of Modelcolor allows for an extremely smooth and uniform paintfilm, with no trace of brushstrokes.
Colors may be diluted with other Mediums for glazes and layered applications.
The water based formula of Model color has been specifically developed for adherence on difficult surfaces such as metal and plastic.
The product is not toxic, not flammable, and does not give off noxious fumes.
Exact drying time depends on the temperature and humidity of the environment, on the surface which has been painted, and on the thickness of the paint layer.
Airbrush Kits For Painting Model Kits
Airbrushes give us better control of our paint over spray cans and even hand brushing. You can buy a less expensive kit to begin with and when you fall in love with airbrushing your models you can easily sell it and move up to the more professional models. You can start with one in the $30 to $40 range.
Iwata Eclipse Hp-Cs Value Set with Hose Cleaner and Paint:
The Iwata Eclipse HP-CS is a multi-purpose airbrush for beginners to experienced modelers. It is a high-paint flow, high-detail airbrush that covers a wide range of uses.
This airbrush features a unique 0.35mm needle and nozzle combination for fine-detail spraying.
Includes a generous 1/3 ounce sized cupthat is designed with a funnel shape which makes for easy clean up and more efficient paint flow.
This is a great tool when applying heavier paints and provides precision spraying.
The kit includes Eclipse HP-CS Airbrush, a 10 foot air hose, bottle of paint, cleaner and user’s guide.
Features a handy storage case for added protection and long life.
Air Compressor Systems For Airbrushing Models
There are many good air compressors for our airbrushes. A small quiet one will do what you need as airbrushes don’t require a lot of air to paint with them. I recommend that you shouldn’t buy the cheapest as you get what you pay for in air compressors. $150 to $200 is a safe range for a good compressor.
Grex AC1810-A 1/8 HP 115V Portable Piston Air Compressor:
This Grex compressor is an oil-less piston design for low maintenance operation. This is a piston style compressor so it provides high performance for the demanding professional or beginning modeler.
The set and lock regulator prevents settings from changing in the locked position. Has a retractable handle for easy storage.
Complete with automatic shut-off that turns the compressor off when not in use to save power and wear. Quiet operation allows for use of compressor in any setting.
This unit has an integrated airbrush holder for convenient access to and storage of your airbrush.
Paint Booths For Painting Model Kits
Purchase a spray booth that has filters to draw the fumes away from you, a ducting system to take the fumes out of doors, a turntable and some type of safe lighting in it. A booth with these features start out at about $150 and can go much higher depending on size and features.
Master Airbrush Brand Lighted Portable Hobby Airbrush Spray Booth:
With this spray booth you get a fan to vent fumes, a duct that goes out to a window, a rotating tray, and lighting. There are some that may be larger and more expensive but this one fulfills the need.
This unit comes highly rated on Amazon and will work for all your modeling needs. This is a great choice for model beginners or long time builders.
Includes LED lighting, powerful 25 watt motor with a 4 cubic meters/minute fan extraction rate.
This is a low noise model at only 47 db. and weighs only 10 pounds. Has a 67 inch flexible hose to keep particles and vapors away from your work environment.
Feature 2 layer fiberglass filters, 7 1/2 revolving removable turn table allows you to reach all areas to be painted.
Final Thoughts:
These tools can be a very valuable asset in your model building. They all come highly rated from model builders who have purchased and used these tools. Yes, you can spend a lot more but all of these tools are capable of fulfilling your needs. Happy Modeling!
Related Topics:
Can you build your own spray booth? Yes, if you are a hands-on do it yourself type, or just want a high quality spray booth, creating a spray booth yourself might be the right route for you. All you need are some basic tools, common materials, and at least a few hours.
How do spray booths work? During spray jobs in a paint booth, the exhaust system must draw substantial quantities of air out of the booth in order to operate. … Airflow while spraying takes the over-spray away from the paint job and out of the booth. Air in – Air out. Air in – Air out.