Ultimate Guide to Gunpla Tools and Supplies: Everything You Need to Start Building Gunpla Models
Introduction
Gunpla, short for "Gundam Plastic Model," refers to the popular hobby of building plastic models based on the mechas from the "Mobile Suit Gundam" series. If you're new to Gunpla, this guide is the perfect starting point, covering all the essential tools and supplies you'll need to begin your Gunpla building journey. Now these won’t be all the tools you could use but it is definitely the ones you need to build your first kit. Later as you expand within the hobby you will add more skills and tools to your tool arsenal.
Understanding the Basics of Gunpla
Before diving into the tools, it's important to understand the basics. Gunpla kits come in various scales and grades, each offering different levels of complexity and detail. The most common scales are 1/144 (High Grade) and 1/100 (Master Grade), with Real Grade and Perfect Grade offering more detailed and complex builds. High Grade (HG) is the best starting point in my opinion for cost especially when just starting out you do not want to shell out a lot of money at the beginning.
Essential Tools for Gunpla Building
Nippers: These are specialized clippers used to cut plastic parts from the runners (the plastic frames where parts are attached). Invest in a good pair of nippers for clean cuts, which reduces stress on the plastic and minimizes the need for additional trimming. When building my Gunpla kits I like to use two different sets of nippers. One standard set of nippers for cutting the part off the runner, and the second one that will be a single blade nipper for cleaning up the part after it is freed from the runner. This combo has been great to use and I highly recommend it. Here are the two nippers I use on a daily basis and links where to buy them:
Hobby Knife: A sharp hobby knife is crucial for cleaning up nub marks left after cutting out parts. A blade like an X-Acto knife works perfectly. I found a perfect kit for this at a really great price that gives you a variety of differently style blades and handles and I love using it.
Sanding Tools: Various grades of sandpaper or sanding sticks are essential for smoothing out surfaces and nub marks. Start with a coarser grit and work your way down to finer grits for a smooth finish. Currently I have been using the Bandai Spirits Sanding Sticks its a pack that comes with 9 sticks in 400/600/1000 grit. I haven’t found a need to buy any others a this point. So you should be fine with just these.
Tweezers: Precision tweezers are useful for handling small parts and applying decals or stickers and I also use a set of cross lock tweezers as well as they can hold things without applying pressure or having to grip the tweezers to keep them closed.
Panel Line Pens: These fine-tip pens are used to accentuate the details in the model’s panel lines, adding depth and realism to your build. As starting out I would recommend getting the black and grey Gundam Markers first then expand later as you develop your skills. I enjoy using pens as it is easy to handle and if you mess up you can easily erase the pen to start over or cleanup any areas you want.
GUNDAM MARKER BLACK AND GRAY COMBO PACK FOR PANEL LINING
Building Gunpla is a rewarding hobby that blends creativity, skill, and passion for the Gundam universe. With the right tools and supplies, anyone can start this enjoyable and fulfilling pastime. Remember, the journey of building Gunpla is as important as the finished model, so take your time, learn, and most importantly, have fun!
I hope this guide helps you embark on your Gunpla building adventure. Remember, every master was once a beginner, and with these tools and tips, you're well on your way to becoming a Gunpla pro!