Hobby tools for building miniatures

Clippers, knives, files and glue: the kit you actually need.

Four tools build almost every kit: sprue clippers, a hobby knife, something to remove mould lines, and plastic glue. Add a pin vice and super glue for metal, resin and conversions.

What to look for

Flush-cut clippers leave a flat cut, so there's less to clean up.
A scalpel or hobby knife with spare blades: blunt blades slip.
Plastic glue that welds parts (thin glue with a brush applicator is easiest).
Super glue for metal and resin, which plastic glue won't stick.

Essentials

Sprue clippers Also on AmazonCitadel, Green Stuff World and Tamiya all make good ones. Prices from the shops we track are below.
- Tool - Precision Side Cutters £10.35 at Element Games
- Super Fine Detail Cutters £26.00 at Lvl Up Gaming · 14 shops
- Redgrass Sprue Cutters for Miniatures £26.09 at Element Games
- Citadel Fine Detail Cutters Out of stock
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Also on AmazonThin plastic glue applied with a brush; a hobby favourite.
- Tamiya Extra Thin Cement 40ml £4.49 at Element Games
Hobby knife or scalpel with spare blades Also on AmazonFor mould lines and clean-up.
- Tool - Precision Hobby Knife £8.23 at Element Games · 2 shops
- Citadel Tools: Knife £15.29 at Zatu · 13 shops

Nice to have

Pin vice (hand drill) Also on AmazonFor pinning metal models and drilling gun barrels.
- Citadel Tools: Drill £16.88 at Gaming Frome · 14 shops
Sanding sticks and files Check AmazonFor smoothing joins and resin.

From the UK shops we track

Live prices, cheapest shop shown; click for every shop.

Product	Cheapest	Shop
Citadel Tools: Mouldline Remover Lowest price we've seenHobby tool for building kits	£12.38	Gaming Frome
Citadel Tools: Drill Lowest price we've seenHobby tool for building kits	£16.88	Gaming Frome
Super Fine Detail Cutters Lowest price we've seenHobby tool for building kits	£26.00	Lvl Up Gaming
Citadel File Set Lowest price we've seenPaint set: a good way to start painting	£10.89	Zatu
Citadel Tools: KnifeHobby tool for building kits	£15.29	Zatu
Warhammer Underworlds Rivals Deck: Edge of the Knife Lowest price we've seenHobby tool for building kits	£13.99	JustPlayGames
Warhammer Colour: Tool Set Lowest price we've seenHobby tool for building kits	£10.00	Lvl Up Gaming
Citadel Plastic Glue Lowest price we've seenHobby tool for building kits	£4.00	Travelling Man
Plastic Glue Lowest price we've seenHobby tool for building kits	£4.50	Mighty Lancer Games
Vallejo Xpress Color - Khaki Drill 18mlHobby tool for building kits	£2.80	Goblin Gaming
Tweezers SetPaint set: a good way to start painting	£8.09	Element Games
Tool - Precision Hobby KnifeHobby tool for building kits	£8.23	Element Games

Tips

Cut parts away from the sprue a little way out, then trim flush: it avoids pale stress marks.
Dry-fit parts before gluing, especially on characters.

Prices are the cheapest in stock at the UK shops we track, checked every hour; click a product for every shop. Amazon links open an Amazon search; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. We don't take payment to recommend products.