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Beginner's Corner
Modelling
Painting
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Making Scenery

Tools & Equipment
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TOOLS FOR SCENERY MAKING

You don't need a huge selection of tools for scenery making, and if you already model and paint, you'll probably find you have most of them to hand already.

Most projects on this website tell you what tools and equipment you'll need, so you can check you've got everything before you start.

Nearly all of these items can be purchased from Games Workshop and hobby, toy and art stores, or just found around the house.

MODELLING KNIFE & CUTTING MAT

Modelling knives are used for removing tiny pieces of excess metal or "flash" from models prior to painting. Be very careful when you are using a modelling knife; the best kind to use is the type with a rectractable blade that be withdrawn when the knife is not in use. Clippers are often a safer option, and are perfectly serviceable for cleaning up metal models, and snipping plastic models from their sprues. The Citadel Modelling set includes a safety knife

Be very careful when using knives, they can be dangerous. Please read these safety guidelines

Cutting mat: Use one of these thick plastic mats to protect the work surface when you're cutting, and as a solid base for any modelling work.

Steel rule: Rulers are useful for drawing lines and measuring when you're making card buildings. To obtain a perfect straight cut, place the rule on the line and cut down the side of it with a knife, using the edge of the steel rule as a guide. If you're cutting through thick material, it's safer to use several light cuts than trying to press down hard and do it all in one go. You can't use a wooden or plastic ruler for this purpose, as the knife will shave the edge off them.

CLIPPERS

Also known as side cutters. Clippers are great for snipping off small bits of metal, and removing plastic models from their sprue. As you can guess from their name, they're also useful for cutting wire. It's not a good idea to use scissors for cutting wire, as you'll spoil the blades, and they're not very good at it anyway.

GLUE

You will need three types of glue for scenery making:

• PVA (for basing, and general modelling and scenery work)
• Plastic glue, also known as liquid polystyrene cement (for gluing plastic to plastic)
• Superglue (for gluing metal to metal, and metal to plastic)

Glue can be dangerous. Please read these safety guidelines

PAINT: Games Workshop's range of Citadel water-soluble acrylics has been specially formulated for painting metal and plastic miniatures. There are over 50 different colours to choose from, available in single pots or boxed sets.

More about Citadel paints and inks; Paint colour chart; Ink colour chart

BRUSHES: Brushes are come in a variety of sizes, from tiny fine detail brushes to large brushes for painting vehicles and scenery. You will need a selection of good quality brushes such as or own Citadel brushes, which are made from fine quality sable.

See the range of Citadel brushes; More about brushes

PLIERS

Handy when you're using wire, and for gently bending metal models. When adjusting the pose of models with pliers, it's a good idea to wrap masking tape round the jaws first, or you might damage the metal.

TERRAIN CUTTER

Also known as a hot wire cutter, this simple tool allows you to cut through expanded polystyrene quickly and easily. Batteries in the handle heat a wire when the cutter is turned on.

Using a terrain cutter; Working with expanded polystyrene

OTHER USEFUL EQUIPMENT

Mixing palette. You can buy a plastic palette from an art shop, but most people just use an old plate.

Water pot. An old mug or a jam jar will do just fine.

Some kitchen paper or tissues. Useful for cleaning or drying your brush, and mopping up spills.

Scissors for cutting paper, card and other stuff

Pencils, pens, eraser for marking card, paper, balsa wood and other materials

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