by Castor Troy

Created on: September 27, 2007

Car modeling has come a long way since its inception and now offers a myriad of choices in kits, tools, detailing parts, paints and glues. A great way for parents and kids of any age to bond is to pick and build a model together. My daughter started building models when she was a young teen and it always gave us a common interest until she moved away but even now we talk about them on occasion.

If you are new to the hobby and just want to get your feet wet with a couple of basic kits then you will only require basic tools and materials to start. As you progress, you can add more advanced tools to accomplish everything from chopping bodies to drilling pin sized holes. Below are what I consider to be the tools you need as a beginner.

Your first kit should be a basic kit. Almost all kits now have an age range and skill level marked on the box. Don't be macho and try to start with an expert kit or it will end up on a shelf gathering dust, in a pile at the base of a wall or on eBay. If you are an older person then maybe start with a skill level 2 and if you are a younger modeler then maybe a level 1.

A tool that I'd like to mention here is a set of sprue cutters. This tool looks somewhat like a pair of wire cutters but has one big difference; the back side of the jaws is straight. This is to allow cutting the sprue flush with the part when removing it from the tree. This tool is not necessary for a beginner since careful use of a knife will accomplish the same task, but it is a nice to have tool.

The first tool you will need is a hobby knife. The most popular names are X-Acto, Excel and Pro-Edge. All of these companies make a selection of knives and cutting products suitable for modeling. You may also find good hobby knives at your local Dollar store. I have a set of 6 dollar store knives each with a different blade so I don't have to spend time changing blades (which can be hard if you're trying to hold a couple of pieces together).

With this large selection of cutting tools which do you choose? I would recommend starting with a "light duty" (X-Acto, Excel, Pro-Edge #1) which is about the diameter of a thick pencil. I prefer the knives with a rubberized handle because they are easy to control and have a hex nut at the top which helps keep the knife from rolling. Knives usually come with a #11 blade which is perfect for most modeling, so get a couple of spares.

Another knife that is handy to have is a snap-off blade utility knife. These come in small and large sizes,

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