How to Get into Gunpla: Essential Tools to Start Building [Tutorial]

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Bare essential tools and materials that will get you started in the hobby of building Gunpla
'Gunpla' is essentially a shorthand term that is now commonplace; which means 'Gundam Plastic Models' or 'Gundam Plamodel'. 'Plamodel' also being a shorthand term Japanese modelers coined in earlier days to refer to Plastic Model Kits, or Plastic Scale Models.
Unlike traditional plastic scale models, Gunpla can be built straight out-of-the-box without too much exhaustive work and painting to achieve nice results. Making them excellent for newcomers to practice or try plastic model kit building. Aesthetics therefore can be taken as far as the individual would like, making the hobby of model building more accessible to all skill levels and age groups.
It's also super enjoyable if you're a fan of the Gundam franchises they come from.
Watch this video if you are thinking about trying the hobby, or maybe have already bought your kit and want to know what tools you will need to to start building.
Enjoy!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:58 Nippers
06:59 Knives and Blades
10:27 Basic Parts Removal
12:25 Abrasives and Sanding
17:06 Dust Brushes
18:53 Tweezers
20:09 Cutting Mats
23:29 Lighting
25:53 Conclusion
Listed below are the products featured in this video (or similiar/affordable equivalents).
[DISCLAIMER: Some of these are affiliate links which I will call out for each item. If you'd like to support me with a small commission; using those links and making a purchase helps me and the channel grow. Obviously use these at your own discretion :D]
NIPPERS:
Hakko Nipper CHP TR-20-M (affiliate link):amzn.to/44AeTOI
Tamiya Sharp-Pointed Side Cutter (affiliate link): amzn.to/3pJawlg
GodHand Ultimate Nipper 5.0 GH-SPN-120 (affiliate link): amzn.to/43kqboL
DSPIAE ST-A 2.0 Single Blade Nipper (affiliate link): amzn.to/3DaN97c
HOBBY KNIVES & BLADES:
Tamiya Modeling Knife w/ Blades (affiliate link): amzn.to/44lpvRc
OLFA Spare Blades (affiliate link): amzn.to/3YvjnDP
X-Acto #1 Precision Knife (affiliate link): amzn.to/3NGajao
Z-Blades Spare Blades for X-Acto (affiliate link): amzn.to/3ro7PWD
OLFA Graphic Art Knife (affiliate link): amzn.to/47nXjPJ
OLFA Knife with Spare Blades (affiliate link): amzn.to/3OxAWyu
OLFA 18mm Heavy Duty Utility Knife (affiliate link): amzn.to/3pJM437
OLFA 18mm Blades (affiliate link): amzn.to/44D4cug
ABRASIVES & SANDING:
Tamiya Sandpaper Sets (affiliate link): amzn.to/3OBL8GC
Tamiya Sanding Sponge Set (affiliate link): amzn.to/3NJONlb
INFINI Model Softback Sanding Sponge Stick Full Set (affiliate link): amzn.to/443r8Cb
Generic Sanding Sticks (affiliate link): amzn.to/3OQdGgI
GodHand Sponges Assorted Pack (affiliate link): amzn.to/4400bPP
GodHand Sponges Rough Grits (affiliate link): amzn.to/3s2Ofj4
GodHand Sponges Medium Grits (affiliate link): amzn.to/3QBkQ9Q
GodHand Sponges Fine Grits (affiliate link): amzn.to/3OPRnI5
HobbyTown Sanding Stick Set: www.hobbytown.com/hobbytown-a...
3-Way Nail Buffer (affiliate link): amzn.to/3OT1YlG
Thin Sanding Sticks (affiliate link): amzn.to/46IzLon
Harbor Freight 10pc Needle File Set: www.harborfreight.com/needle-...
10pc Steel File Set (affiliate link): amzn.to/3O98qEE
BRUSHES FOR DUSTING AND MORE:
Generic Toothbrushes (affiliate link): amzn.to/3s3ARLJ
Tamiya Anti-Static Brush (affiliate link): amzn.to/44EHIsP
'Elf' Fine Bristle Makeup Brush (affiliate link): amzn.to/3rt9Mku
3-inch Flat Brush (affiliate link): amzn.to/44j0xBv
TWEEZERS:
6pc Precision Tweezers Set (affiliate link): amzn.to/3QrYJTk
Tamiya HG Angled Tweezers (affiliate link): amzn.to/3KBgWdr
Tamiya HG Straight Tweezers (affiliate link): amzn.to/45m4c2d
CUTTING MATS/WORK SURFACES:
Mr. Hobby MT801 A3 Size Cutting Mat (affiliate link): amzn.to/3PW33d9
Double-Sided A2 Size Cutting Mat (affiliate link): amzn.to/3pMIo0z
LIGHTING:
My Lights [x2 IKEA 'TERTIAL']: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/tertial-...
My Lamp Covers/Diffusers: a.aliexpress.com/_m0z8YMm
5000K Daylight Bulbs (affiliate link): amzn.to/444b0jK
Budget Lamp (affiliate link): amzn.to/47nmO3z
Decent Lamp (affiliate link): amzn.to/45pyhxZ
High-End Lamp (affiliate link): amzn.to/3s75fot
X-ACTO KNIFE COMPATIBILITY CHART: assets.jasco.com.au/pdfs/x-ac...
CONTACT:
[e-mail]
#howtobuildgunpla
#gundam
#gundammodel
#tutorial
#tutorials

[@rq2757]

Thank you so much for this guide! I'm starting my first kit today (HGGTO RX-78-02) and this helped boost my confidence to cut and sand pieces.
Your production quality is excellent and the information is clear and concise. I hope more beginners find your channel!

[@plamomancer]

Glad to provide some useful info! Thank you for the kind words. And happy building!

[@joshtucker256]

Awesome info and entertainment to boot! Cant wait for the sequel.

[@plamomancer]

Thank you! Definitely more to come.

[@benjaminnguyen5239]

This is exactly what I needed! Getting into gunpla and just subscribed

[@plamomancer]

Thank you. I hope you found some of the info useful! Welcome to the hobby!

[@ThrowTheDice11]

Hey bud, great video!!! Love the fact that you included the list of materials and links in the description. But I have a question. Why hasn’t anyone created a tool kit? Like a beginner set of simple tools to be expanded upon as someone’s skill increases. Amazon has kits but they are not quite what you need for Gunpla. Maybe be that first tuber that provides tool kits for your subscribers. You give so many great ideas and tips that why not just create the tools kits and provide new builders the ability to get started with a tool kit groomed for Gunpla.

[@plamomancer]

I know Tamiya, and I believe Mr. Hobby has starter tool sets. Personally I haven't used these myself, as I like to pick all my individual tools. But that's not a bad idea. Maybe I'll review those sets if I can get my hands on some and see how it compares to just picking your own toolkit using this video as a quick reference. As far as making my own, that's definitely a possibility if I can partner with manufacturers and sort that out, but I will cross that bridge when I get there. Thank you for the suggestions and the praise! I'll be posting more tutorials going forward.

[@ThrowTheDice11]

@@plamomancer
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Just like your thumbnail, I would pay for a kit already built, maybe make it with two nippers. A runner nipper and a clean up nipper. I’d pay for that!

[@sainssaint]

look up for dspiae departure set for 35 dollars it will get you covered @@ThrowTheDice11

[@Hanfree85]

Nice tips thanks so much!!!

[@plamomancer]

Happy to help!

[@Pibbmasta]

8:19 nononono - OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOO~

[@fritz_gassmann]

😂

[@plamomancer]

🤣 my foot still has the scar

[@deffikE05]

Cool pin, lol, also thanks for the informative vid

[@plamomancer]

Lol! Thank you.

[@Eleven7D7s]

Which model is in the thumbnail?

[@plamomancer]

BANDAI HG 1/144 Messer from Hathaway's Flash

[@Garrett.1111]

Just completed this one. My 7th and favorite build yet.