I guess I need more tools...

You've got the basics covered. Some different grits of sandpaper, perhaps sprue cutters. All these things can be added as you go so as not to cause a shock to the budget. I figure I have $200 worth of tools, but others have thousands!

Just remember that while tools can help you be a better modeler, they won't all on their own. It is the user, not the tool!

You will end up with a lot of tools if you stay in this hobby very long.

One day your bench may be a mess of things like mine here:

WOW!!!! I don't even have a bench. LOL I work on mine at the table. Although, I can definitely see the benefits of a bench. I always have to pick mine up when I am done and put it out of reach of the kids. If I had a dedicated bench that was off limits to them, that would make my life a little easier. 

Lots of tools missing from your bench.  A few others that come to mind:

Razor saw, a set of Jewelry files, Pin Vice, Set of small Drill Bits, Scissors, Sanding Sticks in various grits, 6 "Steel Rule,,  CA, Scribier, Masking Tape, alternate blades for the Hobby Knife, & Sprue Cutter.  I wont even mention an Air Brush & Compressor. .

Regards,  Rick

05Warrior

So I have been reading a lot trying to get some ideas for this new found hobby of mine. I am amazed at all of the specific tools there are out there. I figured I would post a pic of everything I used on my first model, the paint not included.... I think that I need to get some more tools! 

Everybody needs more tools...

Depending on how serious, or how involved you want to get, your tools will grow...

I've been back in the hobby about 3 months, and I went from the basics like you have, to a few additions:

-scribing tool, to re-scribe panel lines lost from sanding

-A tube of filler putty, to fill in gaps, etc. I've found that the more you test-fit before gluing parts, the less filler you use.

-Needle files, to remove large areas of filler, removing molded-in detail, etc.

-Pin Vise, for drilling out gun barrels, opening holes for parts, etc.

-Glue tips, for precise applications of glue.

-Suoer Glue, both thin & thick.

-Liquid Cement and a Touch & Flow(which I picked up Thurs., haven't played w/ it yet)

The T&F is an applicator of liquid cement.

Like BGrigg mentioned, sandpaper and sanding sticks in a few grits, like 400 - 1200;get yor sanding sticks in the cosmetics aisle of your local grocery store - buy the good ones, not the cheap ones.

As you get into it, you'll find some tools really handy, and others used only occasionally.

As

You gotta start somewhere...

Add a nice pair of sidecutters. Testors sells a set of 3 small files in a plastic tube that's a good start. A larger set will come in handy but I reach for them as much as anything. If there's a Sears in your area stop in the tool dept and look for the aisle with the *cheap* stuff. You may find a little aluminum handled pinvise with a hollow handle that you can store your bits in. And the cheap pink and black sanding sticks in the cosemetics dept at WalMart work pretty well. A couple of knife handles that you can change blades in and an assortment of blade styles are handy too. You can also find small saw blades that you can use in those handles. They aren't as fine/thin as a razor saw but they'll work for a lot of things. One of those little metal double ended cuticle things in the cosmetic dept can be handy for applying putty. I use coffee stirrers and straws for transferring paints and cheap pipettes for adding thinner. A box of round toothpicks is indispensable. A variety pack of sewing needles can be used in your pinvise for scribing and such. A pair or two of small scissors and a nice pair of small, fine scissors for trimming decals. Little clothes pins can be used for clamps and just holding stuff. And a small tool or tacklebox can be used to keep it all in. Or most of it at least.

And, Tamiya tape! In all sizes...

Tony

You would be surprised some of the tools you can find just lying around your house already.  Coffee Filters for polishing, Windex for paint thinners, Q-tips, Clothes pins for clamps and such. Point being no need to spend a ton of money on Tools.

If you still are having to put the stuff up from "wandering fingers". Might I suggest buying/getting a Fishing Tackle Box from any discount store. You can store everything you need in their own compartment/slots. They are not that expensive, some you can put a little lock on, and most importantly it portable.

I ended up doing this when I had curious fingers and no bench as well. Now if I am traveling and I feel like bringing some of my stuff I pack the box and I have a mini traveling workbench with me.

Paul

I found this to be rather interesting : http://www.shopnotes.com/issues/108/extras/hobby-bench/