Before You Build Your First Model Kit
I’ve been building Gundam model kits for about three years, and I want to share some beginner-friendly advice to help you get started smoothly. If I were starting all over again, here’s exactly what I’d do:
note all the links will be amazon links for you.
her is a video from a youtuber how build modle kits for a living and wantc you are done reading this you can watch his video No BS Beginners Guide: The Tools You Need For Gunpla
1. Start with a Beginner Tool Kit
- Nippers
- Sanding files
- X-Acto knife
- Tweezers
- Parts separator
If you’re building car kits or anything that requires glue, I suggest picking up Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. It fuses plastic parts together cleanly and securely, giving you a strong bond with minimal mess. wance you have a few kits under the bealt you might want to pick up a organizer for holding parts in so you don’t lose them
2. Upgrade Your Tools as You Go
Once you’ve built a few kits and know you want to keep going, it’s worth upgrading to better tools for a cleaner and more enjoyable build. Here’s what I recommend:
- Sanding sticks or pads – for smoother, more precise finishing
- Glass files – great for removing nub marks cleanly (but be careful, as they’re fragile)
- GodHand PN-95-M Nippers – these single-blade nippers cut parts cleanly from runners with almost no visible marks, reducing the need for sanding or cleanup
The Tools I Personally Use
- GodHand PN-95-M Nippers
- Parts Opener HT196 (great for safely separating parts)
- 7-in-1 Manual Pin Vise Drill Bit Set
- 10-piece Model Tools Craft Set
- Stedi Hobby Polishing Tools – especially the 4-piece set with #10000 grit glass mirror files for an ultra-clean finish
I’m not diving into painting in this guide, but if you follow this setup, you’ll be well-prepared to start building clean and impressive kits right away.
Happy building!