What are the best hobby tools you can have? And most importantly, how can you tell the ones you need from the ones that are cool but utterly useless?
Besides what’s covered in our hobby essentials lists, how do you make sure you have all the tools you need to hobby properly?
From dull and rusty x-acto blades to “airbrushes are too expensive”, we’ve all encountered poorly equipped hobbyists. At one point or another, I’m sure we’ve all been the poorly equipped hobbyist of the story.
And really, all you need is 10%.
Don’t be fools, buy good tools!
When it comes to tools, I have found a system that is a complete game changer. I always spend 10% of my gaming budget on tools.
Not 5%.
Not 50%.
10%.
Tools, whatever they may be, make your life easier and your hobby far more enjoyable.
This 10% takes into account everything. It’s large enough of a number so you can afford the common things right away, like glue or fresh Xacto blades, or save it over a couple of months to get something big like a new camera to take pictures, a fancy new airbrush or straight up buy a new chair for your desk.
Whatever floats your hobby boat.
On the other hand, 10% is also a restraint, keeping you from going overboard.
You don’t have to buy every single thing and doodad all the time, even if you can, keep the 10% ratio to keep you grounded with buying what you need instead of trying to get everything.
The best part of this rule is it takes away all excuses.
Ever noticed that a lot of folks that complain that buying an airbrush set is to expensive often have 2000$ and more worth of miniatures. Yet, a good airbrush setup costs barely more than 150$.
To make thing simple, or how I started myself, is to keep track of everything that I complain about (to myself most of the time) or that I feel like I’m missing when I paint.
The first thing I 10%-ed out on was a Tamiya Electric drill, because I was bummed out of drilling bolter barrels in metal grey knights.
Starting with the best hobby tools
Let’s say you’re new to all this, you want to spend your 10% the following way most likely:
First buy is Basic Hobby Tools – stuff to get you started assembling your miniatures.
Second round of purchases is painting supplies-
- Paint Starter Set or couple of colours,
- Spray primer,
- Brushes
Because you now have the essentials and can get going, look at what is missing and go from there.
Hate assembly with a passion? Look for new tools and toys to make what you hate simpler, like a flash remover or an electric drill.
Not having fun with painting and what to get done fast? Quickshade and Anti-Shine Spray. Or Markers.
Do these steps as your budget allows you and you’ll always be one step ahead of your hobby needs.