51L: The finely detailed railway model. Suggested toolkit for completing kits including resin components

Standard tools & equipment for completing resin kits

Many large kits such as bogie wagons, include a number of resin components. Resin is a name used by modellers to refer to a two part epoxy resin similar chemically to Araldite. This list is intended to be a guide for those modellers building such a kit for the first time and is aimed at the novice modeller.It may be regarded as a basic list to allow you to complete your model to a good standard. We would welcome any suggestions that you feel should be included. Please email 51L with your suggestions.

Depending on your preferred method of assembling resin based kits:

Degreasing solvent such as cellulose thinners, essential to remove all traces of mould release agent (silicon spray) when starting work on a resin kit.
Use a Superglue or an epoxy resin such as Araldite, other glues such as UHU, Multibond or thixofix may also be used but they are not recommended. Solvent can be used to attach micostrip to resin.
A known flat surface such a piece of plate glass which for you safety has been ground at the edges to remove sharp surfaces.
Work top with cutting matt.
Engineers rule, 6" but 12" comes in handy, if possible obtain one marked in scale 4mm feet.
Engineers squares, 2" or less ideal but 3", 4" and 6" come in handy, 2 minimum.
Adjustable 12" engineers square, ideal to cut plastic sheet.
Glass fibre brush, preferably two one reserved for 'clean' work.
'Wet and dry' fine emery paper grades 800 - 1200 grit, 1200 grit is best. Use this wet perhaps with a small amount of soap this improves the surface finish.
Set of fine jeweller's needle files. For resin or plastic finer files are required than those suitable for metal work.
Fine wire brush or card to clean needle files.
One or more scalpels, or sharp knives such as modellers knives or perhaps Stanley Knifes. The type for which a range of blades may be purchased is best, such as the Swann-Morton surgical type. (It may be useful to have a range of knifes set a side for different tasks eg removing flash, cutting plastic, preparing transfers etc.) In general we believe Stanley knifes are to 'bulky' for stock building.
A set of small drills, including 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1mm should prove sufficient for most modelling tasks. Either purchase drill bits with a shank or consider a pin chuck to hold drill bits. Eventually two pin chucks, a small and a medium, may be required.
Solvent such as MEKPAK or equivalent and application brush. Bottle stand is required with tall containers. Ensure solvents are only used in well ventilated rooms.
Suitable two part filler such as Milliput or equivalent eg Plastic Padding.
A fine tooth saw.
Primer paint such as Halford's grey primer or an etching primer. Better still a primer designed for use on 'glass fibre' car repairs, again see Halford's or reputable Motorist's shop.
Range of fine art quality paint brushes.

Note: most resin based kits also contain white metal or etched components, and you may wish to view our recommended white metal or etched brass basic tools list.

Most of these tools are readily available however cheap is not always good value. We suggest using a specialist supplier for details click here tool suppliers. Alternatively try your local hardware store. Our sister company, Wizard Models, supplies a range of adhesives, glues and solvents, brushes and paints.

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