I had a 5 year break from the hobby from 2003 to 2008. I was already useing PE, resin an airbrush and the internet before then. Since coming back i have noticed big improvments in those areas. We now have coloured PE, less brittle resin, much more internet and new paints for the airbrush (though i still swear by my tried and trusted Xtracolor enamels that i have been useing for over 30 years). But there are 3 things that i have found since coming back that have made a huge differance.
1) Magnifiefying headband. Before my break, i was in my earky 30's, i had no problem seeing what i was doing, even when working on really small parts such as 72nd PE. But the first thing i noticed when i started up again was how hard it was to focus my eyes. I tried a few things but finally found the magnifieying headbands, thanks to this forum. I am now on my second and its hardly ever off my head when at the bench. And as i know need glasses to read, it even helps with that when checking referances.
2) Plastic weld. Similar to Tamiya thin i would guess, but i use EMA Plastic weld, a UK brand. A huge improvment over this Revell Contact bottles with the really small needle tube that always clogs up. Though of course i have learnt the hard way not to let the weld run under my thumb or fingur when holding parts together and also not to knock a bottle over so it sopills onto the model. A bottle stand is a must.
3) Sanding materials. I know have a nice collection. Flexi file sanding sticks and their tool for doing curves plus the full range of Flory sanding sticks. They have made a huge differance.