We would like to share what we use to help us do our custom projects. This will at least give you an idea on on what to invest on. List below are the various tools we use, some customizers might prefer other tools. Some of the tools below are just nice to haves because of their ease of use.
Safety Gears
Of course, first and foremost, we have to protect ourselves and the people around us. These are a must.
Goggles
To protect your eyes from flying splinters and dust. To be worn during cutting and grinding/sanding down.
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Mask
To protect your lungs from dust and toxic fumes. To be worn during grinding/sanding down and applying glue.
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Gloves
To prevent toxins from penetrating your skin. To further protect your skin from accidental contact with the glue or any toxic materials. For easy clean up of hands, the use of gloves would also protect the hands during sanding/grinding from dust.
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Cutting/Sculpting Tools
To help in cutting, trimming the figure and in sculpting.
Cutters
Commonly used to cutting or trimming. In the absence of sculpting tools, could also be used in sculpting.
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Cutter Set
An effective cutting tool because of the many blades available for different angles and purposes. Very useful in sculpting too.
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Scissors
For cutting cloth, leather, paper and other materials.
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Hand Saw
Quite useful in cutting thick plastics or materials.
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Cutting Base
To protect my work area’s surface during cutting, we use this cutting base.
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Measuring Tools
Its nice to have a fine details and good measurements.
Ruler with Circle Template
Quite a useful tool. For keeping a straight line, cutting, measuring and the circle patterns for the details.
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Radius Ruler
Use to measure/compare the diameter and gaps. Especially in pegs and in replicating certain measurements.
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Pliers and other Tools
Pliers are useful in assembly and disassembly of the figure.
Cutter Pliers
For cutting thick materials or hard to reach places.
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Slip Joint Pliers
A great use in assembly especially in the joints especially the pegs.
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Long Nose Pliers
Use to pull out those pegs and for those hard to reach places. Can also be used in assembly of figures.
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Screwdriver
A very small screwdriver to pick those joints out of their places.
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Sand Down Tools
Some areas are difficult to sand down so I use other sanding tools to do the job.
File
A triangular metal file for those small and rough areas.
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Nail File
A simple tool that you can find around your house, can also be used in smoothening the figures.
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Sandpaper
Primary Sand Down tool have variable roughness and smoothness.
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Glue
A good adhesive for plastic and other materials in assembly of the figure or details.For adhesion, I prefer the glue with brush applicator for that precise amount and location application. Though, quite expensive and doesn’t last that long. A nice glue that last longer is the new Mighty Bond.
Super Glue
Any super glue will do but having a brush applicator is a plus. With the brush applicator, you could apply glue with added precision and ample amount of glue.
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Mighty Bond
With no clog feature for prolong storage life. Quite difficult to apply in small areas, but a use of toothpick solves the problem.
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Sculpting Clays
Mostly, I use Waterstop to beef up or for large sculpting but for fine details, I use Milliput.
Water Stop
A very cheap and effective clay and gives an hour molding/sculpting time. Quite sticky and best to give a few minutes are mixing before molding/sculpting. To prolong sculpting time of mixed waterstop, place it in the water.
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Milliput
Mostly for the details, but quite expensive. This is just nice to have but waterstop will do.
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Paint Tools
There are a variety of paints but mostly I use Citadel paints because of its quality and available in many colors.
Citadel Paints
With a wide selection of colors and good quality acrylic paint, I prefer Citadel Paints.
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Alcohol
Commonly, Citadel paints are mixed with water. But, I usually use a 70% alcohol together with the paint.
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Tissue Paper
Brush
Different types of brush for different type of paint application. Wide and flat brushes are good for application of primer or wide surface. Medium brushes are good for the details. Rounded brushes are good for dry brushing. Thin brushes are very effective in very fine paint details.
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Mixing Plate
For paints and mixing of paints.
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Tech Pen
Very useful in sketching details, logos or patterns to be traced by paint later on. With proper skills, could also gives highlights to fine details.
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Masking Tape
Helps in detailing and paint application.
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Other Tools
These tools makes the life of the customizer easier. Nice to haves.
Clamps
Useful in keeping newly glued areas in place tight.
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Twizzers
To hold small pieces and protect your fingers from touching the glue during application.
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Rotating Tool
A very useful tool and can be use in cutting, trimming and sanding down.
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Lamp with Magnifying Glass
A good source of lighting while doing your custom project and taking picture. Plus, the magnifying glass helps in doing the sculpting and painting details.
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Extension Cord
We usually use the rotating tool outside the house because of the dust, noise and other debris it produces, so we use Extension Cords.
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Collapseable Studio
To better present the finished custom projects, we use this makeshift studio. It can also be folded for easy storage.
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Tool Box
To keep my tools organized.
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That’s the tools we have in our arsenal. But remember, its not about the tools, its about your skills and imagination.
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