looking for proper hobby tools

[dread05]

I'm well two years into the hobby now, and I think its time I get myself some proper hobby tools. In particular I'm looking for a good hooby knife (or set of hobby knives) and a file. I've been using an old set of my dad's that was lying in our basement for decades with no problem so far, but on my last problem where I had to do a lot of cutting arms etc, my blades started chipping. Also, I'm about to work with FW resin, and I'll probably need a good file too.

 

So, can anyone recomend some good tools? Some google research led me to X Acto hobby knives, but I dont know how recent those articles are. Also, I have no clue about files. Not sure if it matters, but I'm from Europe so I'd prefer if you could recomend tools I can find here. Cheers!

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

For a knife, X-Acto is definitely the most popular and does a good job. Find a handle you like, as there are numerous varieties out there, and grab you some #11 blades. I prefer to buy my blades in bulk in boxes of 100, though I get the Excel brand and I don't know if that's sold in Europe (made in America and all that). 

 

The files I have are an old diamond file set I bought about 20 years ago and they're still doing fine. The only replacements I've had to make is from losing a few. Here's a set I found at a UK webstore that looks decent: https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-diamond-file-sets-ax32487

 

I'd suggest investing in a razor saw (usually sold in the same area of stores as X-Acto blades and the like) which has separate handle and blade like this:

 

 

Great for cutting things that might otherwise damage your hobby knife edge. 

 

If you don't have a pin vise, you should get one of those as well, and find a drill bit the same diameter as the metal rod (probably brass) you use to pin models with. 

 

Working with resin, you will need to take precautions against breathing in the dust because it's toxic. I picked up a respirator at a paint supply store a year ago on sale for $45 US and it's something you should have for working with resin. Mine was almost this exact model here:

 

 

The investment will be worth your health. 

 

 

 

[Brother Tyler]

@Subtle Discord provided a great tutorial On the Subject of Tools back in 2013.

 

The only things I can add to the article I linked are:

• Something to hold your models, such as the Citadel Painting Handle, will be helpful. I have a homemade version, and there are some third party alternatives. Alternately, you can go with the old school method of using white putty on an old paint pot.
• The Citadel mould line remover is a pretty good tool. You may be able to find third party alternatives. The benefit of using this over a hobby knife are that you don't run the risk of accidentally cutting off details that you want to keep (unless you use gorilla fingers/arms, which you shouldn't be doing with this tool).
• A painting stick is really helpful when undercoating multiple models. This is simply a stick or similar implement to which you temporarily stick the models with white putty or similar. It allows you to hold/undercoat multiple models at one time while being able to twist and turn them for good undercoat coverage.

[D3L]

go to any hobbycraft store and have a ball, dollar stores, 100 yen stores, pound shops and taobao are the go to, remember everything breaks, better to replace