Mineshima's affordable price or Tamiya's stability and trustworthiness? Thorough comparison of tool sets for beginners!

So, what did you spend your New Year's Day doing? Making plastic models? Or, did you go to a hobby store and buy a bunch of stuff? Some of you may be beginners, "I bought my first plastic model kit with my New Year's gift, so I want to start building it right away! I want to build it right away!

So, the first article of the new year is a review of tool sets for beginners!

I want to buy my first set of tools, but I don't want to spend too much money! I don't know what to buy, so I want to buy a set from the beginning! We introduce two types of tool sets that are easily available in the hobby section of model stores and electronics retailers!

The Tool Way! No. 23 Tool Sets for Beginners

A-2 Tool set (Mineshima)

Official price: 1,078 yen including tax

This 4-piece set includes baby nippers, a flathead screwdriver, tweezers (straight), and a flat file. It is nice to have all the minimum tools needed for plastic modeling for about 1,000 yen!

A-2 Tool Set (Mineshima)

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This palm-sized nipper is easy to handle, even for small children.

I tried cutting a plastic rod with a diameter of 2 mm. The cross section is not so beautiful, but it is cut properly.

Mini size flathead screwdriver. It is not often used in plastic model making, but it is a good tool to have.

A fairly fine flat file. Since it is a metal file, it can be used to sharpen a variety of things.

Tweezers, essential for precision work. It is a straight type and has a non-slip surface engraved on it.

The tip is not thin, so it is suitable for gripping slippery spheres rather than tiny parts.

The instruction manual that comes with the tool. It describes how to use the tools.

Mineshima's tool sets come in a total of four types. Check the contents of the set carefully before buying!

Basic Tool Set (Tamiya)

Official price: 2,640 yen including tax

Six-piece set includes nippers, flat file, tweezers, cutter knife, Phillips screwdriver, and flathead screwdriver.

The size of the case is about 135 x 93 x 23 mm, making it perfect for carrying around.

Basic Tool Set (Tamiya)

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Slightly larger in size, these nippers are sturdy.

I cut a plastic rod of 2mm diameter. It is sharp enough for the first nippers.

Flat file. The flat design makes it suitable for cutting a wide surface.

Crane-neck type tweezers.

The thin tip allows me to grab brass wire with a diameter of 0.4 mm.

The cutter knife is made of stable Olfa. It is useful for cutting into plastic, cutting masking tape, etc.

The Phillips and flathead screwdrivers are designed for small screws (around 2mm) and other small screws, so they will be useful when you start mini 4WD!

I assembled the parts!

Using the Mineshima and Tamiya tool sets, we actually tried assembling plastic model parts. This time, I used the parts for the manipulator part of Bandai Spirits' "HG1/144 Ball".

First, let's start with Mineshima. Cut out the parts with nippers.

I tried to cut twice, but the cut-out marks remained a little.

I tried to clean it up with a file, but the file is not that coarse, so the sharpening is not so good. There is no handle, so it is not easy to use.

Next, Tamiya. I was able to cut out a fairly clean cutout.

The file has a large area, so it is comfortable to use.

A cutter knife can be used for areas that are difficult to handle with nippers and a file (be careful not to injure yourself)!

Parts assembled with Mineshima tools on the left and Tamiya tools on the right. It is a little hard to tell, but the latter is a little more nicely finished.

Basic Tool Set (Tamiya)

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A-2 Tool set (Mineshima)

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Which one should I buy?

In conclusion,

If you want to try your hand at plastic model making, but you are looking for the bare minimum of tools, don't care about quality, and want to buy a cheap set for around 1,000 yen, then Mineshima is the right choice for you. If you want to experience plastic model making, but are fine with minimal tools and don't care about quality, I would recommend Mineshima's A-2 tool set.

On the other hand, if you are new to plastic modeling or mini 4WD production, but plan to continue with it as a hobby, then Mineshima's A-2 tool set is recommended. I can't afford to buy high-end products, but I want to buy a good quality tool set for less than 3,000 yen! Tamiya's basic tool set is perfect for those who can't afford to buy high-end tools, but want to buy a set of tools of reasonable quality for less than 3,000 yen.

However, there are other types of Mineshima tool sets, and I think it is a good idea to buy tools in the lower price range individually instead of buying a set from the beginning. If you buy tools individually, it would be cheaper to buy the most important ones (nippers) for 1,000 to 2,000 yen, and to get files, tweezers, and cutters (design knives) from 100-yen stores!

*Note that 100-yen nippers are not designed for plastic modeling!

Now, what do you think?　Let's purchase tools according to your own production style and budget. Well, we will see you again~♪

Kariyasu

Entertainment and hobby writer. A big fan of models, dioramas, and figures, she is in charge of tool reviews and various interviews as well as examples of plastic models and miniatures. Her future goal is to hold a solo exhibition!