Tools 101

This quick list will provide all the tools you'll need to get started in the fantastic hobby of Gundam plastic models (Gunpla)!

Side Cutters:









Xuron 410 Micro-Shear Flush Cutter





These are your bread and butter tool (sometimes called nippers), you use them to remove parts from the spru (the thing all the individual parts come on). Side cutters are sharp and neatly cut through the plastic, nail clippers, pliers and scissors crush the plastic instead, leaving rough, stressed plastic.





X-Acto Knife













You use a Xacto knife to remove the nubs on parts leftover by the nippers. Change blades often, and be careful not to cut yourself.













Buy your blades in larger packs to save money. This is how I buy mine, I'll typically use 3-4 blades per kit!





Sandpaper









Sand paper is used to sand an remaining evidence of the nub off of a part. I like using fine grades of sand paper because they leave less visible scratches in the plastic. This is crucial if you don't plan on painting your kit!

Spudger





This tool has a funny name, and about a dozen uses. I use mine to seperate parts, move decals and adjust tiny gimmicks on my kit. The spudgers are made out of Nylon, so they shouldn't scratch your plastic up.

Cutting Mat





A cutting mat will protect your table top and can prolong the life of your xacto knife blades.





Gundam Markers













If you're new to Gundam and modeling and general you might want to start out using Gundam markers instead of painting. You can use these to cover up any marks leftover from removing nubs. You can extract the paint from the markers by pushing down on the tips, you can then paint it onto a kit with a brush.









Panel Lining Markers











