Recommended Tools and Supplies
There are so many tools and products out there for us modelers! Which ones work best? This collection includes our honest recommendations of items that we actually use and not paid endorsements. Try them! Simply click on the links below to go to Amazon (or another on-line store) and purchase these directly. As an Amazon Associate, Aero Rarities earns from qualifying purchases; a great way to help support us while getting a proven quality product for yourself! Do you have a favorite product we should try? Let us know!
Cyanoacrylate (CA) Thin Glue: 
We've tried many brands of thin, instant-setting glue over the years, and they seem pretty much the same. So how can Aero Rarities recommend one strongly over the others? Think about what virtually all brands of CA glue have in common: They come in narrow, oval bottles with tall, push-on caps; they tip over easily and, once they spill, their plastic cap is either stuck on for life or gummed up with dried glue so it never fits. And has anyone ever used up an entire bottle of thin CA glue? Guoelephant K50 Jewelry Adhesive is different, thanks to its bottle design! It has a traditional screw on cap for a tight fit so the glue won't dry out, and there is a channel around the opening that catches any drips before they get on the threads and stick the cap on for good. Eric's current bottle has lasted over a year, even after getting knocked over frequently and left on its side for days. It's still going strong! It's also a good size, with 20g of adhesive that sticks nearly instantly, sets quickly, and holds strong like any thin CA glue should.
Shop Guoelephant K50 Jewelry Adhesive on Amazon
Easy Airbrush for small spaces: 
Many modelers don't have the space (or the budget) for the full airbrushing setup... the compressor, the regulator, hoses and cords, let a lone a spray booth. Paul is particularly proud to report on this super handy airbrush used mostly by aspiring fashionistas: I-BEAUTEE portable dual-action airbrush. It simply charges via your computer and needs no hoses! Being adjustable, it pushes paint properly at just the right amount for all of Paul's unfinished projects in his tiny apartment. This particular version features a high pressure air flow, and enough accessories to keep you spraying with ease.
Shop I-BEAUTEE Portable Upgraded Dual-Action extra battery Airbrush kit on Amazon
Flexible belt sander: 
Paul also swears by the Flex-I-File belt sander from Albion Alloys. It's a lightweight C-shaped hand sander which he has been using for over 20 years! Great for rough filing and fine burnishing surfaces the Fles-I-File can be used to remove annoying raised panel lines, reduced exaggerated wing ribbing, and conquer hard-to-reach areas of flashing. Lately we've experienced a few belts lose their adhesive that bonds their end loops, but this problem can be solved DIY style with a little drop of Guoelephant CA glue, as recommended by Aero Rarities! You might not appreciate it's usefulness as first, but after a little practice, the Flex-I-File sander will become indispensable. Sanding belt refill packs are also available.
Magnifying Goggles: 
Did you notice the amazingly stylish magnifiers that Eric wore in our Grand Opening video? Of course you did! Eric has tried a few different goggles and we think these YOCTOSUN Magnifying Glasses with 3 LED Lights and 4 Lenses are the best. They are comfortably similar to regular glasses, and don't put all the weight on to the bridge of your nose like those other ones that sit high up on your forehead with the flip-up lenses. There's also an elastic strap to ensure these glasses stay put when you lean forward over your model. Its three LEDs can be adjusted from 'Bright' to 'Very Bright'. The goggles come with five lenses, each with a different magnification level. The lenses are very clear, swap out easily, and have a good depth of field. The goggles are also rechargeable so you don't have to wear bulky AAA batteries on your face. Eric even bought stubborn Paul a pair, who previously didn't use any magnifiers!
Shop YOCTOSUN Magnifying Glasses on Amazon
Primer: 
Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 primers by GSI Creos are our absolute favorite primers and are suitable for all types of paints. Thin 3 parts primer with 2 parts Mr. Color Leveling Thinner for a super smooth and durable base. Mr. Finishing Surfacer Black 1500 helps you to easily spot surface irregularities before painting, and provides a great foundation for darker colors and pre-shading. Use Mr. Finishing Surfacer Grey 1500 for lighter colors, and Mr. Finishing Surfacer Pink 1500 when painting yellow. Pink? Seriously, give it a try!
Shop Mr. Finishing Surfacer Black 1500 on Amazon
Shop Mr. Finishing Surfacer Grey 1500 on Amazon
Shop Mr. Finishing Surfacer Pink on Amazon
3D Resin Part Cutters
The price for our next recommendation may be out of reach for some, but trust us- it is an essential tool for anyone who regularly works with 3D printed resin, which is much more brittle than old-fashioned styrene. For example, using standard sprue nippers can cause resin to crack instead of cut, which can damage parts, or even launch them into the hungry maw of the carpet monster. The Phrozen Sonic Saber Cutter uses hypersonic technology to cut resin with hundreds of micro sawing motions per second. With this tool, you can zap 3D supports precisely without constant fear of damage The Phrozen Sonic Saber Cutter will save you from the broken heart of broken parts! For those on a budget, your next best bet is a thin razor saw made from photo etch, like the CMK Razor Saw or the Hasegawa Try-Tool (which is also great for panel-line scribing).
Shop Phrozen Sonic Saber Cutter on Amazon
Shop Hasegawa Razor Saw on Amazon
Rigging Elastic:
Modelkasten Rigging is great for 1/48 & 1/32 scale subjects as it has a round profile, where many other brands of elastic are flat or have a rectangular cross-section. It is also easy to work with, holds firmly with CA glue, and doesn't fray when cut. One drawback is that it is quite glossy, so you might need to paint over it to knock the sheen down. Use Modelkasten size 1.5 for 1/32 scale and Modelkasten size 0.6 for 1/48 scale.
For 1/72 or smaller scales subjects, the shape of the profile will be hard to see. For these recommend Uschi "Fine" rigging, as it stretches far, doesn't break easily, and you get an incredible 45m worth in length. Note that for aircraft subjects, supporting wires are generally larger than control line cables, so size your elastic appropriately.
Shop Modelkasten size 0.6 on Amazon
Sprue Nippers: 
Are you still using nail clippers or just your hobby blade to remove parts from the sprue like Paul was until last year? Cutting parts off the sprue is something you will do multiple times, on every model; don't cheap out on this important step! Indulge yourself with a high-quality tool designed specifically to make this job easier, more accurate, and minimize the chance of damaging your delicate parts. {That sounded wrong!} At Aero Rarities, we use the GodHand Blade One Nipper. We hear you say, "But Eric, it's much more expensive than other nippers! Is it really worth it?" Yes. Yes it is. It cuts through sprue like butter. There is only one cutting blade, the other side is a stopper blade. This set up not only reduces damaging and whitening of the parts, but also makes it easy to get the cut exactly where you want it. Eric has sworn by the Blade One Nipper with the red handle for years, and it is fantastic for both large and small parts. GodHand has since come out with the GodHand Ultimate Nipper 5.0 with a blue handle that features a sharper but lighter blade for very fine cuts on the most fragile parts. You can't go wrong with either one. This is a tool you will use over and over, so it's worth your money to get the best. Buy once, cry once! Once you use a GodHand, you'll never go back.
Shop GodHand Blade One Nipper on Amazon
Shop GodHand Ultimate Nipper 5.0 on Amazon
Tweezers: 
There's a multitude of tweezers available in different sizes, shapes, and lengths. We've tried several, but always return to Ol' Reliable: Tamiya HG Straight Tweezers (74048). These tweezers are finely crafted, and their two fingers come into perfect alignment at a fine, sharp point. They're of a heavy material and feel secure in the hand. Springiness is also perfect; it does not take a lot of force to hold items securely in the tweezers, and it is easy to let go of the objects as well. Finally, they are sturdy and will last a long time.