Beginner priorities?

To get started I'd say

A good xacto knife (#11)

A good set of nippers - I just got a new tool Tamiya 74123, very nice

Maybe an optivisor, very handy

Tamiya thin cement

Super glue of choice - I like extra thick from spruebrothers.   Also accerlator comes in handy something like zip kicker or Sureflite insta-set

Various sand paper/sanding sticks

Tamiya masking tapes are great

Couple different tweezers

Invest in good paint brushes - I like Windsor & Newton series 7 sable

decal set - I like microscale micro sol & micro set

putty/filler of choice.  I've been using tamiya white and like it

I'm sure others will add to this list. 

If you buy tools with a model company’s logo affixed, be prepared to spend a few bucks extra for the privilege.  

Check places such as Sally Beauty Supply for sanding sticks,  the hardware or auto supply shop for fine wet-n-dry sanding sheets.  I have a nice pair of sprue nippers from the electronics shop (use them only on plastic - never on wire).   Check the auto supply shop for body filler/putty 

There have been some very good suggestions posted above. First off start with the basics and don't go crazy buying stuff just cause.

Harbor Freight sells a decent set of tweezers that I use all the time. HF also sell a very cheap but good optivisor for like $5 or $6. I actually have two that I bought on sale for $3. I have been using one for several years and have the second one as a spare.

Please stay away from cheap air brushes. They save you money in the beginning but you will be replacing it in a short time. You don't have to go with an expensive one but something like a Neo from Iwata will run you under $50 at Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon and they are great. I have several Badgers and one Neo and all get used.

Walmart, the Dollar Store and other discount shops have plenty of goodies to use like clippers, sanding sticks, etc. Once you get deeper in the hobby you will eventually move up to specialty tools line rivet makers, scribing templates, etc but that comes later.

For now just go with the simple basics and enjoy the hobby.

Drugstore reading glasses, 2X or 2.5X are pretty low priced and work well. Any time you are in a large grocery store, such as Wallmart or Giant, always check out the womens beauty section for sanding sticks, tweesers, cotton swabs, reasonable nippers(toenail cutters) all kinds of good stuff cheap. Eyedroppers for mixing paint. Just keep your eyes open.

Jim    

Thank you for your replies. I am following. 

I'll recommend you consider an airbrush. You don't have to buy expensive to start. There are kits on Amazon that include a compressor and 3 different styles of airbrush to use for around $100.00. It only took a couple of months after I got back to this hobby before I purchased one of these type airbrush kits last year and it was the perfect thing in my book to get started. It's a great way to learn and see if you enjoy using one. I still use it and it's going strong, haven't had a need yet to buy better, though I know I will eventually because airbrushing to me has made painting the model my favorite part of the build. It just opens up a new world of model building we didn't experience as kids when it was just paint in a bottle and a brush. Just my humble suggestion.

Good luck and look forward to seeing some builds from you.

I wouldn't call it priorities for a beginner because this hobby has zero priorities. Definitely must-haves. keavdog already covered good pointers for tools and supplies.

Tickmagnet

I'll recommend you consider an airbrush. You don't have to buy expensive to start. There are kits on Amazon that include a compressor and 3 different styles of airbrush to use for around $100.00. It only took a couple of months after I got back to this hobby before I purchased one of these type airbrush kits last year and it was the perfect thing in my book to get started. It's a great way to learn and see if you enjoy using one. I still use it and it's going strong, haven't had a need yet to buy better, though I know I will eventually because airbrushing to me has made painting the model my favorite part of the build. It just opens up a new world of model building we didn't experience as kids when it was just paint in a bottle and a brush. Just my humble suggestion.

Good luck and look forward to seeing some builds from you.

 

 

I second this comment.  At first it was overwhelming all the zillion parts of the airbrush and what everything does. You'll figure it out pretty quick though.  Google (and this forum) are your friend. 

I bought a compressor kit from the amazon that came with 3 brushes. The manuals that come with it aren't worth the paper they're printed on but anything you need to know is on the internets.

Don't skimp on cleaning up parts before you paint. 

Have fun! 

T e d

Go here and decide which airbrush is best for you:

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/

Don't rely on other opinions and/or recommendations  on this site because that's what you will get... opinons. Check out the site and choose what's best fits your budget.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

Go here and decide which airbrush is best for you:

https://sites.google.com/site/donsairbrushtips/

Don't rely on other opinions and/or recommendations  on this site because that's what you will get... opinons. Check out the site and choose what's best fits your budget.

 

 

 

Hey thanks a lot black sheep.  

T e d

Supplies are important too (and most of them not that expensive).  Have a roll of paper towels handy.  Toothpicks come in handy for many things.  I also keep Q-tips on hand.  Lots of thinner and brush cleaner for whatever type(s) of paint you use.

Patience.  Very important.

Buy an optivisor. 

GMorrison

Buy an optivisor. 

 

The one I use is from Harbor Freight and got it on sale for $3 A long time ago. They are usually $6 or $7 and work VERY well. Don’t let the cheap price raise a flag of it being junk. I’ve had mine for over 10 years and got a second one as a spare.

Just recently a friend left modeling and gave me a ton of supplies, paints and an expensive optivisor. I tried it out and guess what, it does the same thing my cheaper one does.

Don’s airbrush link is very useful and has great info about ab types.

I would also suggest getting a mid level kit. There are many high end, high priced kits to chose from. I'm not saying get an older kit or a simple kit designed for children, but don't bite off more than you can chew.

If you get a kit with hundreds of minute parts, that is tedious to build, you may get discouraged and decide model building is not for you.

There are plenty of high quality kits with fewer parts for the casual model builder. Dragon has "Smart Kits". Tamiya has newer 1/48 scale armor kits that are less complicated than 1/35 scale kits.

Rob Gronovius

I would also suggest getting a mid level kit. There are many high end, high priced kits to chose from. I'm not saying get an older kit or a simple kit designed for children, but don't bite off more than you can chew.

If you get a kit with hundreds of minute parts, that is tedious to build, you may get discouraged and decide model building is not for you.

There are plenty of high quality kits with fewer parts for the casual model builder. Dragon has "Smart Kits". Tamiya has newer 1/48 scale armor kits that are less complicated than 1/35 scale kits.

 

When I first started building kits, I took up the challenge to do a complex kit with high number of parts. I'm not one to shy away from a challenge. So if he wants to build a complicated high number parts kit, I say go for it. Nothing like pushing yourself to try.

Sometimes specially in the beginning it’s best to go with simplicity till your feet get wet. I remember my first RC kit, a Dynaflight P51D. My buddy who was teaching me how to fly suggested a high wing simple trainer but not me, I went for that pony. I built it fine and looked fantastic in chrome Super Monokote. The flying was another story.  The pony went into storage till my feet got wet later on.

I think the Tamiya Me-262 I am working on is quite an easy kit. Granted I screwed alot of it up and had to find fixes and stuff but how else would I learn?

My current plan is to do another Tamiya kit (the He-162) after this one and then a Me-163. I believe (having checked out the instruction sheet online) the 162 should be easy after the 262. The Me-163 depending what kit I manage to find may have worse kit engineering but is a very simplistic aircraft in any case. Will give me a good chance to do extra stuff if there is bad fitting or I want aftermarket stuff. 

I am holding on buying too expensive stuff until I get these 3 done just to make sure I stick with the hobby. 

I also want to thank all of your that shared your knowledge. I'm a 70 year old kid just starting back in the hobby. What great advice. 

I have a badger 150, it is a real learning curve.