How-to Guides
Tools and supplies
Find tools, supplies and parts for your next build. Browse by task and check your guide for what you need.
Choose what your build needs. Check your guide for sizes and parts. You do not need every item on this list.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Some links open an Amazon search. Short links use the destinations recorded in our build guides. Similar tools may have more than one link.
Hand tools and blades
Hand tools and spare blades for shaping and fitting parts.
- Flush nippers — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Hobby knife with fresh blade — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Needle-nose pliers — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Spring clamps — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Needle files — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Plastic spreaders — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Inspection light — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Flush cutters — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Hobby knife with replaceable blades — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Needle files (Stage 02 pick) — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Sculpting tools — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Utility knife blade refills — Open Amazon (#ad)
Shop equipment
Equipment used across more than one build.
- Low-heat gun or hair dryer — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Soldering-iron plastic welding — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 3D pen welding — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Hot staples — Open Amazon (#ad)
- UV curing light — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Filament dryer (2-spool) — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Soldering iron for plastic welding — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Cordless heat gun — Open Amazon (#ad)
- DeVilbiss spray gun — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Spray gun cleaning kit — Open Amazon (#ad)
Sanding tools and supplies
Check your guide for the grit and backing you need.
- 120/180/220 sandpaper — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Sanding blocks and contour sticks — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Dremel sanding disc/drum — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Detail hand sander — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 220 grit sandpaper — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 400-800 Grit Sandpaper — Search Amazon (#ad)
Glue, fillers and tape
Materials for joining parts and filling gaps.
- Painter's tape — Open Amazon (#ad)
- CA glue — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Two-part epoxy — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Bondo spot putty — Open Amazon (#ad)
- UV resin — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate) — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Bondo glazing and spot putty (Stage 02 pick) — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 2-inch blue painters tape — Open Amazon (#ad)
- CA glue 3g packs — Open Amazon (#ad)
- CA glue activator — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Baking soda (CA activator/filler) — Open Amazon (#ad)
Paint and cleanup supplies
Check the label and safety sheet. Use a cleaner that is safe for your tool and material.
- Plastic adhesive promoter — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Clean microfiber cloth — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Gear floss and white grease — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 99% isopropyl alcohol — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Microfiber or blue shop towels — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Lacquer thinner — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Paint mixing cups — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Shop towels — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Surface cleaner degreaser — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Filler primer — Open Amazon (#ad)
Protection and storage
Match protection to the task and the material.
- Safety glasses — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Safety Glasses — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Nitrile Gloves — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Anti-Static ESD Shielding Bags (100pc 8x12cm) — Open Amazon (#ad)
Electronics tools and supplies
Tools and supplies for small parts, wiring and soldering.
- Dremel with Cutting Wheel — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Precision Screwdrivers (Flathead & Phillips) — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Nippers/Flush Cutters — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Precision Pliers — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Needle Files — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Hobby Knife — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Digital Calipers — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Soldering Iron — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Helping Hands/Third Hand — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Solder — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Flux — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Brass Wire Cleaner — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Digital Multimeter — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Fine-tip Tweezers — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Precision Wire Strippers — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Hot Glue Gun & Sticks — Search Amazon (#ad)
- Tungsten Electrode Sharpener Attachment — Open Amazon (#ad)
Build parts
Check your build guide for the right size and type.
- 1.5mm Fiber Optic Cable — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Reed Switch — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Heat Shrink — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 30 AWG Wire — Open Amazon (#ad)
- JST 1.25mm 2-Pin Connectors — Open Amazon (#ad)
- JST 1.25mm 3-Pin Connectors — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 180 deg 9g Metal Gear Servo — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 2mm Metal Rod — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 3x1mm Neodymium Magnets — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 20x10x3mm Neodymium Magnet — Open Amazon (#ad)
- 20x5x3mm Neodymium Magnet — Open Amazon (#ad)
- Hook and Loop — Search Amazon (#ad)
- 100kOhm Resistors — Open Amazon (#ad)
- USB-C Cable — Search Amazon (#ad)
- 13mm Latching Power Switch — Open Amazon (#ad)
- JST Connector Set (2-pin pairs) — Open Amazon (#ad)