Disclaimer: This list was updated in October of 2024. At the time Kalmia is not sponsored by any brands or stores. There are no affiliate links or Amazon storefronts. If any are added they will be labeled as such. Not every tool will have a link; Kalmia has bought tools from various stores in-person and online over the years. She links to products she has used or alternatives she is aware of.
Before you go on an online shopping spree, please visit your local hobby/craft/hardware stores and see what brands/products they offer.
Safety & Ventilation
The PeaceKeeper 24-Inch Super-Mini Spray Booth: The electric components are separate from the air vent which means it’s safer to spray flammable paints like lacquers. The booth uses 12×24 HVAC filters that are available to buy in most hardware stores. The customer service is excellent, when a switch broke the owner sent me a replace for free with free postage.
There are other fancy options like the Kaizo Waterfall Spray Booth that circulates water in the back of the booth to collect particles instead of solely relying on a filter. Kalmia has not used this product and can’t comment on how well it works, but it sure looks neat.
Dust Collector: An inline duct fan, intended to ventilate grow houses that is hooked up to vent out a window or duct vent.
Sculpting & Prep
Drills & Dremels
8220-N/30H 12V Max Lithium-ion Cordless Rotary Tool
A powerful, wireless drill used for 100% of my drilling. It is quite big and heavy, but I have gotten used to it with my medium-small sized hands. There are newer, smaller versions, but I have not tried them.
Ultima Auto Torque
A wired drill that is smaller and less powerful than the Dremel above. Which might not be ideal for a lot of drilling, but is great for using Zirconia bits to remove seamlines in hard to reach spots.
Zirconia Bits are used to smooth and sculpt resin in hard to reach areas. Argofile sells a wide variety of shapes, but there are cheaper alternatives marketed as dental tools.
Sanding Tools
As of 2024, Kalmia has upgraded to the Artima 7. After over a hundred of hours the power plug is still secure and the motor doesn’t heat up as quickly as the Artima 5.
Artima 5 (top) is a wired tool that sands in a back-and-forth motion. It comes with 10 different shaped heads to sand any crevice you need. NOTE: Argofile is based in Japan, but the US-based company DavidUnion sells most of the same products under their own branding. It might be a cheaper alternative with a reduced shipping cost.
Mr.Polishing Pro (bottom) sands in a circular motion. A great entry-level sander that’s battery powered. Kalmia no longer uses this tool. Replacement sanding pads
Sanding & Polishing
3M Softback Sandpaper (top)
Easier to handle than regular sandpaper and makes it easier to sand smooth, round surfaces. The 3M product is easier to get in the US than the GodHand softback sandpaper and twice as thick.
Tamiya Polishing Compounds (bottom)
A coarse, fine, and finish polishing pastes. After buffing clear pieces with sandpaper they need more polish to really shine.
Glue
Starbond White Medium CA Glue:
It is easier to get in the USA than the glue that’s popular among Japanese hobbyists: Cyanon. It’s an opaque, white glue that’s great for filling gaps and gluing small details. When sprayed with the accelerator liquid it dries in seconds; which speeds up workflow and makes it easier gluing delicate pieces. It also comes in Clear Medium-thick and thin.
UV Glue:
Used for gluing clear parts and many other things. Needs a UV light to cure. Gel base used for nails might be cheaper than UV glue sold to craft hobbyists. Check out what might be available in your area.
Putty
Polyester Putty: 3M Bondo Professional Putty (top) & MoriMori Revolution putty (middle) A 2-part putty that’s 90% putty and 10% added hardener. Dries in about 30 minutes. Morimori is a Japanese brand that’s hard to get overseas. Bondo is a pretty great dupe that’s easier to find in the US (at most auto stores), but it does have an incredibly strong smell compared to MoriMori.
Tamiya Poly putty is comparable to MoriMori. Gaia*Modo poly putty is similar to Bondo.
Tamiya Epoxy Putty: a 2-part putty you mix 50/50. Dries in 2-5 hours. Great for sculpting details. Apoxie Sculpt is another alternative.
Detail Tools:
Sanding Bow (left)
A tool that holds sandpaper for easier access to sand between narrow parts of a kit like strands of hair or fingers. The one shown is made by Dispae. Get the free 3D printer files at Thinkverse.
Wave Diamond Files (right)
Files in various sizes; great for sanding details in hair or other small crevices. Buy at HobbyLinkJapan
Paint & Thinners
Airbrushes
GSI Creos Mr. Airbrush Procon Boy PS-275 (left): A trigger airbrush with a exchangeable large cup. I use it for spraying primer, clear coats, or any other large coverage job.
Iwata Custom Micron CM-C (right): a superb airbrush that I use for detail work to medium coverage.
Paint & Thinners
Gaianotes, Mr. Hobby, Neo Color, and other are the main Lacquer paints Kalmia uses. Most lacquer paints can be mixed together. Gaia*modo has unique paints, but don’t mix with other brands as well. SMS also offer a wide range of specialty colors.
Many of the online stores she used before 2020 rarely restock or have closed. As of October 2024, the stores she uses are Volks USA, Robokai (free shipping on orders above $89), and USA Gundam (flat rate shipping)
Start with the thinner that matches the brand you are using and then try out cheaper alternatives that may be in your local hardware store for much less money.
SMS Metal Etching Primer is her go-to primer. You can buy direct from the company in Australia, but unless you are buying bulk it is hard to justify the shipping. Some hobby stores may carry it.
Masking
Tamiya Masking Sheet (top): A big sheet of masking tape with grid marks. Can cut to any size needed.
Liquid Masking: Used to fill in mask areas easier than tape or to fill possible gaps between tape. Gaianotes‘ is water soluble and dries the slowest. Mr. Masking Neo dries quickly. Komatsu Model Shop‘s masking liquid is similar to Neo, but comes in various viscocities for different uses.
Masking Tape: Various sizes of tape are sold at most hobby stores.
Hasegawa Masking tape (Bottom Right)
Thin tape made of crepe paper in a variety of sizes. The crepe paper allows the tape to be flexible for masking curved edges. Purchase at Sprue Brothers Models.
Painting Jigs
Tools used for holding face pieces while you paint them. They create a larger surface area to hold the piece without risking touching the paint. The wooden one by TGIF has magnets to hold a metal paint tray. The mini-vise gets a stronger grip on the piece, but some face pieces don’t fit very well.
Clean Stick
A foam-tipped swab used for soaking in thinner and wiping away paint. Very useful for painting fine details like eyes. Kalmia has used the Gaianotes and Mr. Hobby versions. Hobby Mio also makes a version.
Electric Dish Dryer
Kalmia bought Spt SD-1501 Electric Warm Air Dish Dryer after reading stories about the “not great at drying dishes” dish dryer getting high reviews on amazon. That was the cheapest model available in the USA. She cannot attest to how well it dries dishes, but it does speed up drying time by gently blowing warm air for a set amount of time. The Hobby Mio rack fits well inside.
Caution: make sure nothing flammable, like cardboard, is touching a heating element. Each dish dryer function differently. Some have a heated base or others blow air.