'ools a good Mek only needs a 'ammer an a wrench! Well maybe a couple of grots to use as fodder. hur! hur! hur!
The main set of tools can be found at any decent hobby store and will more than likely survive the life of your scratch builds. There are some specialty tools that are not necessary, but make life so much easier. Below we will get into the many different types of tools and there uses. First off the basics.
X-acto knife - This comes in a variety of flavors, from slender handles to fat ones for easier gripping. It also comes with different types of blades, from your standard blade to your key saw blades. It will also is one of the most important tools in your box.
Scissors - Just like the X-acto knife, scissors are used mainly for making your templates or cutting really thin plastic card sheets.
Micro Miter Saw - This tool is useful cause it gives you a good 90 degree cut as well as a 45 degree and on some of the miters there is a 30 degree cut as well. Since cutting sheets and strips of plastic card can easily be done with a X-acto blade. Cutting tubing be it square or round is really difficult to cut with the basic X-acto blade, hence the miter saw.
Circle Cutter - Allows you to make circles out of plastic card. Just use it like a compass to draw a circle, there is a blade on one end that will cut the plastic card.
Hand Drill - This is also known as a pinning drill. It will allow you to use smaller sized drill bits to make holes in your miniatures. Since your just using your fingers to turn the drill bit, it is very precise in the depth and location of the hole. It will be a very important tool in your arsenal.
Vise - used to hold the miniature or materials so that you can do what you need to do. Its much like a third hand.
Cutting Mat - This is essential if your working on your kitchen table. You don't need to have wife aggro for ruining a beautiful piece of wood. They come in all shapes and sizes. I recommend a large one that allows for not only protection from cutting, but paint as well.
Ruler - Comes in all sizes and materials. Although metal ones last forever.
Sandpaper - Many varieties to choose from. Generally I keep a mixture from about 120 grit to 400 grit. Then I have specialty grits for doing finishing work, they range from 2000 grit to 10,000 grit, but the majority of your work will be done with 120-400 grit sandpaper.
These tools will get you started for some good conversions. Although there is some tools that are considered specialty but can also fit within the basics as well. But we are going to list there in the specialty section for now.
Die Circle Punch - This tool is a godsend if your doing a lot of circle cutting. There are two main varieties, one being from about 1/8" size hole to 3/4" and then a micro version from 1mm to 4mm size circles. Anything bigger will have to be done with a circle cutter. Basically you slide in the plasticard and whack the die with a hammer and out pops your perfectly sized circle bit. Although I strongly recommend you use a arbor press to prolong the life of your die.
Arbor Press - Arbor presses are things that allow you to apply a lot of force to something. Its mainly used in seating bushings by hand fro small parts, but they can be used with the die punches to prolong the life of the punch.
Electric Drill - A excellent tool what more could I say.
Chop Cutter - A chop cutter will allow you to make precise cuts in plasticard or wood so that you can cut many the same size. They can be expensive, but they are a life saver..
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