Good Tools to start modeling

Asprins and antacids for sure

I am a big  fan of X-acto and Drehmels.  That darn Drehmel really changed how I approach modding different types of models.  It is truly an amazing tool.

ALL the above PLUS an opti visor with good overhead light or lighted magnifying glass. Bench top radio, comfortable seat & solid bench to work from.

Everything mentioned takes most of us a WHILE to collect but you'll figure out what you need as you build. The spru cutter is one of my favorite tools.

There is a plethora of tools out there.... But I have to say there are a few that every modeler shouldnt be without....  I would say your best single investment will be an airbrush... my modelling took off when I got one...  I went the cheaper route and got an industrial garage compressor at a pawn shop for 35$ and went to hobby lobby with a 40% off coupon that anyone can print online and got an Iwata double action airbrush....   you really need an airbrush.... Painting is probably one of the most important skills..    then cement and building tools.... I use a load of no 11 and curved exacto blades and surgical scalpels...  some sprue cutters (to cut your parts off) ,  abrasives(sandpaper, and sanding tools),   and putty(I like the tamiya white putty)....  for glue I use Tamiya extra thin, and thin and thick CA glue......

clamps, bands, and tamiya masking tape in several sizes are always useful

The most important supply item for me is paper toweling.  Whether I am brush painting or airbrushing I use it.  Airbrushing takes many sheets of the stuff.  I clean glue off of CA bottles with it, clean up spills, etc.  I mounted a paper towel dispenser above my workbench, and never sit down to model if the dispenser is empty.  I also keep supplies of toothpicks and coffee stirring sticks handy, and a good supply of #11 X-acto blades.  They dull rapidly and using a dull knife is not cool.

One of the handiest things is a pane of glass .The reason being  is that it is optically flat there for you have a good surface for checking that the vehicles that you build have proper contact with the ground all the way around . It makes a good surface on which to mix small amounts of paint ,put down some glue to app lie with tooth picks ,and after your done you can clean up with a single edge razor. Not to mention that you can check with a machinist square that your build is square vertically and horizontally.  

Cadet Chuck

Occasionally, you will need an axe, sledge hammer, jack hammer, chain saw, and blasting caps.... 

Just kidding- good luck!

Me Bo'sun's mate - me fix, get bigger hammer.

I didn't see where you are in the world.  This can have an impact on what brands of stuff you will have access to.  Sometimes the same stuff can have different names in different parts of the world (like nappies & diapers, eh).  I have Testor's black label liquid cement, and several types of CA.  Also, white glue is still good for some stuff.  Paints are personal preference, and what's available in your country.

Another set of tools I use are dental scrapers and artist's spatulas.  these are great for applying putty.  A good set of small rifflers & files is nice.  Look into some micro drill bits.  If you get more involved, power tools such as a "Dremel" style rotary tool, a belt/disc sander, mitre box/chop saw are handy.  A scroll saw can be a nice addition too.

 I suggest you start accumulating your tools slowly as your needs arise. Slow and steady, my friend.

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  Don't go crazy buying stuff, go slow. some stuff is arready in your house, just look around and you may find something useful. For paints, glues etc I deal with

 http://spruebrothers.com/  http://www.scalehobbyist.com/index.php and http://www.squadron.com/

I'v been modeling since the early 1970's and I buy things as I need them. The most important tools for basic building are:

Miniature file set, polishing sticks in different grits, xacto knife with tons of blades, nail clippers, Testors thin glue, thick ca. thin ca, several toothpicks for glue placement, good set of twezers, good set of paint brushes, fine grit sandpaper, small clamps (clothes pins make great small clamps) just to name a few.

Paints I purchase as the project requires. An airbrush and compressor will also go a long way in creating better quality finishes. As you advance your skills the need for more sophisticated tools come up such as the Micro Mark Punch for creating tiny discs for scratch building screw heads or cutting out instrument decals to create a more realistic instrument panel.

Cadet Chuck

Occasionally, you will need an axe, sledge hammer, jack hammer, chain saw, and blasting caps.... 

Just kidding- good luck!

Yeah. Especially if you build a really bad kit. Like the Revell Tomcat.

As a tool junkie, I suggest you start accumulating your tools slowly as your needs arise. Aside from what has already been suggested, which are pretty much all you need for starters, take a trip to your local craft store and wander the aisles. See what they have to offer, BUT ... hold off cleaning off the shelves until you have a real need. I am preaching what I did not practice and now I know I have that tool somewhere (actually I have two or three similar ones, each a bit better than the last), but darn if I can remember where I stowed it. Slow and steady, my friend.

I have been modeling for several months i just wanted suggestions from more experienced modelers on tools and supplies.

I notice no one mentioned glues to you. If your connecting styrene to styrene (normal model plastic) there are lots of glues out there to use. I use the liquid ones which have a brush in the lid, makes using it a lot easier. If you looking at glueing etch or resin items you will need eithre CA glue or something like Gator glue, i've use both and they work well but if your looking at CA thin works well for glueing and think will work for filling holes.

Over time you will build up tools anyway but asking on here is a good way of getting a lot of help but remember your asking a lot of people who have bene doing this for a long time and we end up collecting things over years which are quite specific to small jobs.

Phil

You can get the pin vice at Hobby Lobby. Look in the X-acto, Excel tools section.

40% coupon too.

Occasionally, you will need an axe, sledge hammer, jack hammer, chain saw, and blasting caps.... 

Just kidding- good luck!

Okay the replies have been great for tools but I just thought what about supplies.  For weathering, scratchbuilding, and normal just plain building.  I personally do alot of WWII aircraft.

Thanks everyone I posted this in the morning here and did not expect a response for a couple of days at the least.  I will definately look for Harbor Freight and check out these sites. Thanks again.

Harbor Freight is good for some stuff, but don't scrimp on the tweezers.  Make sure they close flat & right at the point.  Get some "normal" ones, some needle points, and some cross close (one's that you have to squeeze to open).  You might also look at some hemostats, clamps & tape.  Get some everyday masking tape and some good quality painters tape in 1/4" for detail painitng.  Another must have is a good jewelers saw with assorted size blades. 

Micromark is a good source for modeling tools & supplies, but I'm not sure how taxes & import duties will be where you're at.

Reid

I am not i wish i was it is so much easier to get anything back in the states. But Thanks Any way

Don't know if you are in the US. If you are and have a Harbor Freight Tools near, go by and check them out. You can pick up a set of different size tweezers dirt cheap. They also have a cheap airbrush that is ok as a starter one. Micro Mark is a great source for specialized tools. They have often run sales that helps in lowering the modeling expense. 

Thank you very much.

This place has lots of modeling supplies

www.micromark.com

Okay I can get most of that easily but where can you get a pin vise and drills.

X-acto knife,sand paper and sticks,tweezers,paint brushes,pin vise+ drills,clampsmaybe an air-brush and compressor