Unlike traditional plastic models Bandai’s line of Mobile Suit Gundam kits do not require cements or much paint to create a stunning display piece. You will need some basic tools that are, almost entirely, available at your nearest hobby shop or big box retailer. For an introduction to the kits themselves please read the article: What is Gunpla?
Gundam kits are entirely of a snap or screw together design. There are no incredibly toxic cements or solvents required. All you really need to get started is a way to remove the pieces from the parts tree, a way to clean the rough edges left, and the screwdrivers needed for assembly of some more advanced kits.
To remove the parts you will need a pair of side cutters. Hobby shops will have a good selection of these available. Side cutters are designed to get close to the part and remove it from the tree quickly, easily, and without any damage. They are specifically designed for this purpose. Some advice: spend the extra to get a good set of cutters. Much like a set of mechanic’s tools you will get what you pay for. The cheaper cutters will do the job, but will misalign and dull quite quickly. Due to the nature of a Gundam model some of the Master Grades and all of the Perfect Grades have thousands of parts. A few extra dollars at the beginning will allow for the enjoyment of far more kits. If you do not have a hobby shop near you can use a set of small wire cutter pliers available at any big box retailer’s hardware department or any auto parts store. These are not quite as easy to use. Modeler’s side cutters are spring loaded to an always open position while wire cutters are not. They will do the same job, but at a cost of twice the effort. The wire cutters should only be used as a last resort.
For parts cleanup you have several options. The preferred method is to use a sanding stick or sand paper to gently remove the little nub that remains on the part from the tree. Sanding sticks are available for under a dollar at the local hobby shop and are the perfect tool. If you must use sandpaper then please choose a very fine grit. The extra patience will produce a far better looking kit.
You will need a hobby knife. These are available in many brands and have several different blade shapes and options. You will be able to use this tool to remove large nubs left by the cutters, place very small sticker type decals, and cut the rub transfer decals from the sheet. This is probably the most versatile tool in the modeler’s toolbox.
If you are building a 1/200 scale, 1/144 scale, or non Master Grade 1/100 scale kit these tools should be all you need. If, however, you are building a Master Grade or any 1/60 scale kit there are 3 additional items you will need to add to the shopping list.
You will need a small set of screwdrivers. Master Grades and Perfect Grades assemble many of their frame components using small screws. These screws are always Phillips head so you may not need the full set. These screwdrivers are available in any hobby shop, hardware department, and some auto parts stores.
Lastly, these advanced kits sometimes include rub transfer markings. These need to be cut from the sheet using the ever handy hobby knife, held in place on the model, and rubbed with a tool to transfer the marking. There are many different techniques for accomplishing this task. The one that seems to be the easiest is to remove the marking from the sheet, hold it in place with cellophane tape, and rub it with a rounded object like the end of a paint brush. You already have a hobby knife on the list and you probably already have a roll of cellophane tape. You don’t need a paintbrush per say, so search your home for a suitable replacement before buying a brush that may never see paint.
That is the entire basic list. With these few tools you will be able to create complete Mobile Suit Gundam display that will make you proud and your friends jealous.
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