Most Useful Hobby Tools

[malachi]

List your key items that help you in this crazy hobby

Hydroponic scissor: I can't remember where I saw this tip, but I've been using these for a few months now. I use them for most of my decal work - able to trim them close and much more easily than a hobby knife or larger scissors.


Flatbed scanner: if you make your own decals this is great. Produces some high resolution images that I sometimes do some simple editing on to make the tiny images sharper at small scale. Mine is a Canon CanoScan LIDE 400.


Magnifier: I'd be lost without it - for close paint work or decals. There are all kinds, mine is a YOCTOSUN brand.


Tweezers: basic but necessary. I've tried all kinds and they each have their uses but I usually avoid the super-pointy ones and the risk of jabbing a finished paint job. I like these Vallejo ones.


Painting stand: I think I first saw Dave (dak21) using this, but it's very handy for priming and clearcoating planes. Just a chunk of wood with holes drilled - I glued a "stopper" piece of plastic on the bottom, or don't drill the holes all the way through. Some spare pegs glued together and the nib trimmed off the bottom one and you have stands to elevate and keep planes clean while priming or spraying clear coat.

[zenlizard]

Probably my most useful when I need it (which is often) is the Hobby Vise: https://www.woodcraft.com/products/b...th-vacuum-base is the type I use.

[predhead]

For me, it is a pair of 1.5 reading glasses. My eyesight is overall very good, but adding that little extra makes a clear difference. Another tool is the trusty X-acto knife, and of course one has to have a frosty adult beverage!

[camelbeagle]

Mine are a set of Tamiya Decal Scissors! Makes trimming decals a whole lot easier!

[OldGuy59]

Cause my workbench, currently, is digital:



Also, because my fingers go numb after extended use with a standard mouse. I can do hours of work without issues using a trackball, and it never moves off my keyboard holder. Also, I don't need a mouse pad.

[Bishop33]

Interesting and useful to know.