5 Essentials for Your Metal Earth Tool Kit

Technically, a pair of tweezers is all you need to assemble a basic metal model. However, a few more simple tools will significantly improve the outcomes you may attain and the pleasure you derive from the process. I have accumulated many items throughout the years, some of which I use far more frequently than others.

What are the essentials in your Metal Earth toolkit? An entry-level Metal Earth toolkit would consist of:

Clippers for removing metal fragments from sheets

Holding, gripping, and twisting tweezers

Similarly, needle nose pliers

Cylindrical tools for forming and bending metal components

To fix any breaks along the route, use super glue.

You may already have all those things in your garage, and they will only cost you a few bucks! However, consider acquiring a few additional items to make your experience more enjoyable. So, allow me to guide you through them.

5 Essentials to Start Your Metal Earth Tool Kit

The Clippers. These will be used repeatedly to extract the metal fragments from their sheets. You need a pair with extremely tiny cutting blades. Fascinations, which imports and distributes Metal Earth models as part of its Essential Toolkit, offers an excellent pair.

Tweezers. You most likely already own a pair of these. The firmer they are, the better because you'll need to be able to twist tabs with them and hold metal components firmly. Therefore, if you want to purchase some, don't cut corners. The less expensive ones are usually weak and flex excessively. Zizzilli surgical-grade stainless steel tweezers are my fave.

Pliers with a needle nose have several applications in metal modeling. They are invaluable when bending longer folds. Once more, the Fascinations Essentials Toolkit contains a good pair.

Cylindrical items. When you first start, search the house for items that can be used to roll metal components around. These items should have varying diameters. Drill bits, nails, pencils and markers, batteries, bits of dowels, and so on are a few examples. Later, consider purchasing specially designed tools.

Superglue. Technically speaking, this isn't a "tool," but you will eventually need it. Everybody occasionally breaks something and wants to do a quick fix. Therefore, acquire a tube right away and keep it in your toolbox to prevent delaying your build.

Consider a Metal Earth Essentials Toolk

The three-piece set Fascinations offers is a fantastic way to begin your metal modeling arsenal. It includes clippers and two types of pliers. The tools are priced well, of excellent quality, and the right size for our needs.

We've discussed the fundamentals, but a few more things can significantly help you achieve better outcomes. And let's be honest: having a workspace and tools to work with is half the fun of a pastime like 3D metal modeling.

Here are some further recommendations for you.

7 More Tools That It's Just Really Nice to Have

Mandrels. Jewelers frequently utilize mandrels for other purposes, including sizing rings. They are available in sets of different diameters. I have two sets: one with greater diameters made of plastic and one with smaller diameters made of steel. Possessing them eliminates the need to locate and stockpile numerous cylindrical pieces for barrel and curve shaping. Additionally, they facilitate rolling a piece from a larger diameter to a smaller one.

Enlargement. You will shape and attach some tiny metal pieces on a Metal Earth model. Seeing them makes working with them much easier, and magnification is beneficial. Consider wearing a magnifying visor on your head or a hobby magnifying glass on a stand. It has worked great since I found one at a hobby store for half-price.

Bending tool for photo etching. I bought this fantastic tool because of another interest: modeling plastic scales. Similar to the laser-cut sheets in Metal Earth kits, it is designed for bending photoetched detail elements created on a soft metal sheet. Thus, it's ideal. These bending tools will make your life a lot easier if you like to build larger models that need longer bends. They come in a variety of sizes. See how to use them in this video I made.

photoetch rolling set. This tool set complements the bending tool mentioned above. The set is for curves and barrels, while the bending tool is for straight folds. Thus, it essentially serves the same purpose as a set of mandrels.

Steel files. There may occasionally be burrs left on metal parts where they were fastened to the sheet. A steel file is an excellent instrument for getting rid of these.

Source of light. Good lighting is crucial, just as magnification aids in correct vision. Getting as near to white natural lighting as you can is what you want. Thankfully, we now have LED illumination, which is ideal for this. My wife purchased me a big desk hobby lamp that is portable and illuminates my workspace well. It wasn't costly and could have made creating my metal model more enjoyable than anything else I've purchased.

Solar-powered display stand. Alright, this final one falls under "pure indulgence." Some things are fun, even if you don't need them. You can display your newest model in your collection by purchasing one of these little spinning stands for a few dollars. As long as the stand is in a reasonably bright area, it rotates independently. I use mine to record quick videos. Similar to this one …

Here it is. Five tools are essential for your Metal Earth toolkit, and seven more are pleasant.