Expensive tools are the really worth it??

I try to get what I can at the dollar store or the like. I have never been one to have to have the approprita tool for the job any way. I just go with what works.

As a scratchbuilder I really appreciate some of my more specialized tools. After using my lathe for a while now I wouldn't be without it. My bandsaw, disc/belt sander, and mini drill are very useful as well. I have a hobby mill as well but truthfully haven't used it too much. You don't need high dollar tools to enjoy the hobby but they allow me to worry less about the how to do it and concentrate on the creative part.

i stradle the fence on this one myself. for example, i paid a little extra for the iwata HP-CS, but i'd gladly pay it again because of the relationship i have established with this wonderful tool. i'll gladly pay extra for sanding sticks, as i've never really found a fingernail file with the right grain to it. and, i just gotta have the xuron snips for cutting spure, and chipping away extra resin hunks. but, on the other side of the coin, i've never came across the use for a PE bender. i'm not paying $65 bucks for something to bend PE with. i just take 2 straight razor blades and bend away. but, i'm not scared to pay for a tool, or kit for that matter, if its worth it to me. its just a personal thing i guess. just listen to the still, small voice inside you and make your decision.LOL people steered me away from the iwata airbrush and i ended up buying several airbrushes before finally and ultimately settling on the one best for me...........the HP-CS, best modelling money i ever spent. later.

Some tools are worth it. When it comes to basics, it's all up to how much you want to spend. If you model/scratch a lot, then power-tools I believe are worth it as well. What really irritates me are the new bunch of "purpose built for modellers" tools. Things like the Etch-mate ,Hold-n-fold, the brass assist, and worse than any of them, the "multi-tool". For godness sake, it's just a piece of rod!!! And they're asking $30 USD for it!!! Basic tools like these, that are meant for very simple manipulation and forming are WAY overpriced. To be honest, it kind of angers me, as they're ripping people off. And it irritates me even more when I see these things endorsed and applauded by publications, such as TMMI. Geez, what you're too stupid to use a round pencil or something of the sort to perform the same function. It just seems to be a "YES YES YES, BUY BUY BUY" mentality, and I for one will not endorse or support such a poorly hidden effort to rip you, the modeller, off.

Some pricey hardware is nice to have. I would not want to be without my Dremel, in fact when the brushes went I was really shut down for a lot of my scratch work. A good airbrush is money well spent. I started with a POS Aztec that was cheap, what a mistake that was. I spent a C note on a good Badger, was doubtful at the time but not anymore. Xacto knifes? Oh yes, I have five, all with different style blades loaded. Expensive? I don't think so, not when I can buy 15 blades in a pack for 2 bucks. I don't own a lathe but am considering the benefits of a fixed belt sanded. Admittedly some tools are not that necessary and the money might be better spent on plastic but I for one can appreciate a well-stocked toolbox.

In short, the answer is - yes - if you really need the tools.
I'm an engineer and production manager - without specialised tools and jigs, the job we do would be much harder, take more time, and the repeatable accuracy reduced.......
I will never buy cheap tools - but then again I will not buy fancy, fad type tools when simpler tools or systems work just as well.

Like all "Is/are (fill in the blank) worth it?" questions, this one is entirely up to the individual. Depending on skill level and motivation, a modeler should use whatever tools he or she feels are necessary to do obtain the results they desire. For some people this may mean expensive routers, lathes, sanders, airbrushes, Hold-n-Folds, Grabhandlers, and X-Actos, and for others it may mean just a cheap pair of nail clippers and an emory board.

"Worth" is in the wallet of the beholder.

Personally, I've always tried to do as much as I could with the simplest and cheapest tools I could find (heck, I've only had an airbrush for five years now! And a motor tool for only a year!), so I feel a lot can be done with a little. The only "expensive" tools I have are a Tamiya HG Trigger airbrush, a Wave motor tool, and a Hold-n-Fold. I also have a selection of X-Acto, Olfa, and Tamiya knives and cutting tools.

I also have a lot of stuff from the 99 Yen Store!

Everything I've purchased thus far has been worth it to me.

I have a large collection of tools that I've gathered over the years, but I think some of the fad tools are a waste. Buy the best AB & compressor you can afford, a good pair of sprue snips, several good modeling knifes, a good set of Swiss files, lots of sanding sticks & micro mesh sanding pads, a couple of quality scribing tools, a good 6" steel rule, a few rolls of Dymo tape, 2 or 3 varieties of quality scissors, some tweezers, pin vices & precision drill bits, and that's about all you really need.

Regards, Rick

Interesting topic and discussion!

After moving my larger-than-I-realized unbuilt kit collection a few years ago, I switched my hobby-budget focus. I stopped buying new kits (mostly, anyway) and instead started putting that money toward tools and supplies -- things I could use to build the kits I already had at home, or ones that I'd build for the magazine.

It was a great move. I haven't invested big money in anything (no lathes or milling machines) but I have a great selection of files, picks, and hobby knives, a Panavise, a punch-and-die set, a couple of magnifiers, motor tools and bits, and not surprisingly, new tool organizers. Nothing spectacular, just plenty of good, basic tools.

I know a lot of a model's success or failure is related to the skill of its builder, but there really is something to be said for having exactly the right tool for the job at hand. If I need to remove a seam from a tight spot, I have a selection of riffler files that will take care of things quickly and easily. I find that with a better selection of tools to choose from, I enjoy model building a lot more, and I'm able to build a whole lot faster. And I always appreciate the fact that once I invest in a good tool, it'll always be there, ready for use.

Matthew Usher @ FSM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Matthew Usher Interesting topic and discussion! I know a lot of a model's success or failure is related to the skill of its builder, but there really is something to be said for having exactly the right tool for the job at hand.

I have invested more in tools than kits over the past few years and one tool I still waffle on is a Waldron Punch and Die set for aircraft instrument panels. I have several 1/32 kits I'd like to use it on but it's hard for me to get past the $60.00 price tag. I could understand paying $200.00 plus for and airbrush and compressor but such a specialized tool for that much money still spooks me. And as far as I know, there is no other similar tool at a lower price. I guess it just costs a lot to machine those little rods and template.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Aurora-7 I have invested more in tools than kits over the past few years and one tool I still waffle on is a Waldron Punch and Die set for aircraft instrument panels. I have several 1/32 kits I'd like to use it on but it's hard for me to get past the $60.00 price tag.

I hear that. I just broke down and bought a Waldron punch set from GM for $49.95. Got really tired of cutting reheat decals out with a straight razor not to mention all the other applications I can see for it.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Aurora-7 QUOTE: Originally posted by Matthew Usher Interesting topic and discussion! I know a lot of a model's success or failure is related to the skill of its builder, but there really is something to be said for having exactly the right tool for the job at hand. I have invested more in tools than kits over the past few years and one tool I still waffle on is a Waldron Punch and Die set for aircraft instrument panels. I have several 1/32 kits I'd like to use it on but it's hard for me to get past the $60.00 price tag. I could understand paying $200.00 plus for and airbrush and compressor but such a specialized tool for that much money still spooks me. And as far as I know, there is no other similar tool at a lower price. I guess it just costs a lot to machine those little rods and template.

I have the Waldron set. I found one for sale in the vendor room of a contest a couple of years ago.

At first, it seemed a little specialized to me, too, but now that I have one I wonder how I worked without it. It's very handy for a lot of different tasks.

Matt @ FSM

Brushes, a good quality soft brush can make all the difference in the world. Becuase the building I live in will not allow me to use an AB inside, I am limited to the warmer months of the year, thus I have come to appreciate a good red sable brush :)

they say that you buy a cheap tool twice.
could be more true. I found a set of swiss type files sold by the bucket.
the reason being that you needed a whole bucket just to make a decent complete set.....
but in general as the wise men said apart froma good cutting and scribing tool
the rest are cheap.
I dont have a dremel, at the moment my 10 buck drill works just nicely.
I control the revs by adjusting the voltage from the transformer but I can live with it.

I wasn't really so much tallking about your everyday tools like dremels, knifes, etc.
But more of the specialised tools like etchmate and similar.

Looking at my workbench I see plenty of expensive tools(Compressors, airbrushes, router, helping hands, etc) but those are all high-end options of what I consider everyday tools.
Said that I found that I use more stanley blades(Box-cutters for the US guys) than x-acto style blades.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Model Museum I wasn't really so much tallking about your everyday tools like dremels, knifes, etc. But more of the specialised tools like etchmate and similar.

In that case, the only "specialized" tool I have is a Hold-n-fold. I had been getting along just fine bending PE with pliers and whatnot, but the H&F seemed like a good idea, so I bought it. And heck yeah, it was worth it! Its stability alone saves me a lot of headaches. Not only is the functionality of it worth it, but it is a very high quality piece of equipment. Worth the price no matter how you look at it.

By the way MM, a Dremel (motor tool) wasn't an "everyday tool" to me until just last year! I'd wager there are many modellers here who don't have one. I had gotten along just fine with sandpaper, files, and knives until Wave came out with their inexpensive but excellent motor tool. And it was worth it!!
It has become one of my "everyday tools," along with my Hold-n-Fold and everything else.

And as I mentioned before, "worth" is in the wallet of the beholder...

i have a dremel, but i can't find a "smooth" enough grit wheel to suit what i'd like to do with it. i do grind down hunks of resin and such, but as for sanding a kit with one, i don't do much of that at all. what do you use your dremel for? later.

I was actually extremely lucky on my last visit to Japan.
Managed to pick the following bit set at VOLKS(getting a 2nd one when I am there in Feb.) for about $18.


Methinks those are diamond tipped. Excuse the poor picture quality.
Those are for the rough work, fine detail & smoothing I still do with sandpaper and sanding pads.
Flaws tend to show up easily on 200mm and bigger figs.

The ball tips are great for adding damage to kits.

Don't mind me... just moving this from General Discussion to the Tools forum.

I concur with most of the rest of the replies. Some tools are definitely worth the cost. One must have a good tweezers or two, good quality paint brushes, a hobby knife, and I think a good motor tool is essential. The PE folding tools and GrabHandler look like great tools and I wouldn't mind having one of each, though I really think they are way over-priced (maybe I will win a set in the FSM monthly give-away). ANd of course a good airbrush and compressor are necessary. But I can't justify $50-60 for an Etch-Mate when I've been very successful with my squared tipped tweezers and razor blades.

Most of my tools are cheap or inexpensive, only thing I spent much money on is my airbrush(first airbrush was a gift from my ex, second I bought third a gift from a sale rep) compressoer and Dremel. I think we find and buy what we need and use, cost is secondary.

Like Matt, I'm in the position where I have enough kits to be getting on with for the next couple of months, and therefore, like Matt I've turned my attention to stocking up on those tools which I think represent a good long term investment.

So far I've bought an air regulator/filter, I can't beleive the difference that has made to my spraying ability, a 4" Hold-n-fold, I've screwed up too much PE with pliers and knives, and I'm looking to get a set of Xuron cutters and some Micromesh polishing cloths.

The Waldron punch and die set looks expensive for what it is, but I know there have bee times when I could have done with it, so maybe that is one that will go on the future acquistions list.

I don't believe in buying tools for the sake of it, but can't help but feel that there are some tools out there which really do add an extra dimension to your modeling ability.

Karl

Like the rest here I reckon I got enough kits for the next 5-8yrs, which is not a bad thing as fewer kits that grab my attention seem to be released these days.

So by working through the stash and buying less kits I might hit par in 13~15yrs.

I am with most of the guys here...messed up to much in the past to even bother with cheep tools....you get what you pay fo in life.....

Now...another question....what IS a good tool.....

Iwata Airbush ...just get better and better all the time great!
Hold & Fold I diont struggle..anymore.I like the deep fingers over otherdesigns.
Micro-Detailer & Dremmel...Power tools...big and small...beats carving resin anytime.
Brass Assist Roller set...Rolls shapes and bends tiny tie dowms....all on one tool...
Zuron Cutters Just use them for every thing now...and ruduced cutting my thumb !!

All these seem to be able to more jobs than I first thought....of be better at it ! :)...so I dont mind paying for them...= GOOD TOOL=Worth it

Bad Tools
Aztec....limmited now to base and primer coats
Cutting Twezzers...just to small..
Cheep Digi Camra...had to upgrade !!


Your thoughts ?

My take on this is that if a tool makes modeling easier and less tedious, and allows you to enjoy it more, then its money well spent. Some people enjoy the things other people hate. I have a hold and folf, and I use it for most of my PE bends. Could I use 2 razor blades, sure. But the tool makes PE easier for me, and if I can afford a tool i think will work, then i buy it. I have alot of diferent tools and rarely do i think I have been ripped off. To each his own as long as it helps make you better at the hobby you love.

Among the few things I somewhat regret buying is the GrabHandler, mostly because I can't produce consistant results with it. Which is probably more the fault of bad technique on my part, but then that's why I bought it , to get consistant results without having do a lot of tedious measuring and remeasuring when bending wire. I get one side with a nice square shape to it, but the other side always seems to be bowed. Argh. It's a nicely-machine little tool to be sure, but I just don't think it fits my needs

There's nothing worse than a cheap tool that breaks at the wrong time!

I have some fancy tools, and have rightly so been accused of being a "Magpie", but my-oh-my have I ever had some good use for them!

My tool list includes

• Etch-Mate
• Multi tool
• 2 different xuron cutters
• model vise with magnifying glass
• Pin vise
• several swiss files
[hoards of squadron sanding sticks[/*]

And sooo much more. I have a Badger that was given to me (My tresured badger!) and an Aztek. I use both, I have a compressor and different scribing tools. I could probably licve without most of it, but it is very helpful.
One of my other tools that I have used over the years is Fine Scale Modeler! Have enjoyed it and have subscribed to it for the past few months.
But there will still be many years before my skill is up to what most of you that I see here..., One day...

But likae man y other things, opinions are just that. Tools are good to have, but you make do with what you have, and if that is enough, then so be it.

Tomorrow I will go to Princess Auto and buy a "Dremel-ish" tool that is battery powered for $33 Canadian!!

A good quality tool, that makes the job you are doing easier, is never expensive. The only expensive tool is the one that you don't use because it makes the job harder. I have a dremel, Aztec airbrush+compressor, and a benchtop illuminated magnifier. I don't consider any of them expensive

I have not been buying kits lately and I have no stash at the moment. To me I need to up grade my tools and have been doing so recently. I have a new scriber in the mail that I am looking forward. Another tool I have been spending a good bit of $$$ on is reference material. These new tools and reference are really helping me decide what I will be building in the near future.
I am really eye balling the waldron tools right because the way I am starting to model and my interest in the hobby is going in a direction that tools of that type will be needed.