Best products from r/metalearth

Thanks! Yeah sure, if you like a challenge I would for sure try the AT-ST. The legs are a little tough but it comes out looking awesome. If not the Iconx Millenium Falcon is my favorite and is $20 on Amazon right now. It is so much bigger than the original Metal Earth Falcon and looks great.

AT-ST:
https://www.amazon.com/FascinationsMMS261-Metal-Earth-Star-AT-ST/dp/B016ADE7TK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503461966&sr=8-1&keywords=at-st+metal+earth

Falcon:
https://www.amazon.com/Metal-Earth-Millennium-Falcon-Premium/dp/B017DWV6OQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503461814&sr=8-1&keywords=iconx+millenium+falcon

CHP-170 Micro Cutter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZPDG1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_NYI1AbCK4Y43D

This one works perfect for me. Never tried much cutting with the tip but never overlaps and cuts pieces out perfectly, and a very tight fit when closed. Not expensive, in fact an add on item u have to purchase with a larger order, but might be able to find the same as a stand alone. Have gotten one for my gf and brother both and they have never had overlap issues. They are flush and I highly recommend.

Edit: they say flush in the description but might be the same as the other poster u/bluetrombonium linked to idk. But they work for me well and seem sharp, but again don't use tip cutting for anything.

Edit2: I think they are exactly the same but with red handles. Also 3 dollars cheaper for some reason but out of stock on the other site, but seem to have exact same specs. Probably this is your best bet lol https://www.hakkousa.com/products/chp-tools/chp-hand-tools/cutters/chp-170-d.html

A few things to get you started:

1. A small pair of needle-nose pliers to use for bending the tabs and gripping the parts.
   
   
2. Nippers - no need to spend a lot of money here, just something basic to cut the pieces out of the sprues
   
   
3. Bending tools. These are optional but make things easier when bending long pieces. 7pcs Edges + Tabs + Cylinder Cone Shape Bend Assist Tools For 3D Metal Puzzle Assemble Model Kits https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MY984WY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nXznDbHNAS6SK
   
   
4. Additionally, something you can use to bend round and cylinder pieces. I like to use a drill bit kit since it has a ton of different sizes and I can usually find the right one.
   
   Medal Earth makes a pretty solid beginner kit that would be a good place to start Metal Earth 3-Piece Tool Set - Clipper - Flat Nose Pliers - Needle Nose Pliers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MNQ2TUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HUznDb94F45T2

I enjoyed it. I'm pretty much due for 1 mess up on each build. Sometimes it requires glue to fix. This one is glue free!!

I had the first piece (yes, #1) on upside down when I did 2 and 3. Fortunately, it was something I caught pretty quickly and was able to fix without further incident. I use gauge needles to form the cones so it went pretty well.

I have seen some builders use model scissors to cut pieces out with great success. I use wire cutters and try to cut as close to the part as possible. This has worked well for me but the finer the cutters the better. The only problem with going fine on cutters is that they will misshape if too fine so you have to find a good balance. hope this helps :)

Not anymore, as I’m a perfectionist, and I didn’t like the way a number of my domes had appeared on previous builds, so I invested in a doming kit like this one on Amazon. I got mine at Harbor Freight.

It’s useful for builds like this, as well as for builds with spherical elements. For example BB-8 or the Death Star. It also helps make the final product look more round versus having sharp corners on seams or inconsistent bends. I’ve got those two builds posted here on r/metalearth and can be found on my profile also if you want to take a look, and maybe you’ll find that you might want one as well.

Nice! Something you could add instead of the black backer is this:

Magnetic Project Mat Showpin Large Size Small Parts Work Mat Peg Board with A Board Marker - Preventing the Small Screws from Getting Lost and Unorganized - Great for Writing Notes(9.8x11.8 inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F58KL96/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_P1p0BbQE834MB

It is magnetic and dry erase. It keeps your parts together and has made repetitive assembly so much easier for me. It won't work for the gold pieces which aren't magnetic for some reason, but it is awesome! It might be better because bumping into the case won't scatter everything

I have included a couple links to some good small magnets on Amazon. The rare earth magnets are very strong for their size.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LQNEYMO/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_os64ybSE1WZFG
Then there us a cheaper option that i also bought that work good.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AKS06W/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_5v64ybDMGZBW0

When using tweezers for the tabs OR scissors for cutting you are using the muscles closer to the tips of your fingers. This can cause fatigue or soreness at your extremities.

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Instead use cuticle clippers or nose pliers. These primarily use the muscles of your palm, or your grip strength. Much easier on your fingers and takes advantage of your grip strength which is far more than adequate.

Cuticle Clippers and Nose Pliers.

This is the tool. I got it from Amazon here.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GXGNMV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_AKU6CbGCBEAKC
And yes, I've got a whole tool box worth of items to help me fold, spindle, and mutilate and this tiny tool under 5 bucks is my most used tool as well.

I got [these lights] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HSF65MC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) with [this power adapter] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DKSI0S8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) from Amazon. The lights are sticky on the back. What I did was run it up the front corner on the left, across the top, and down the front corner on the right. It does a pretty decent job of lighting everything up. I can take a picture when I get home if you like.

Took me a little amazon searching but here's the link for the ones I bought. They work great but I recall needing to WD-40 the hinge right when I got them. Ymmv.

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VUFXZOM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I recommend the permanent marker.
https://www.amazon.com/Monami-Permanent-Marker-Assorted-plastic/dp/B07S299SLX/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=monami+marker&qid=1570156609&sr=8-15


It's very stable so u can minimize the repainting but glance color.

if you want matt color surface like this model, smear the 'Gesso' before the painting

I used to have that problem as well. There are small clippers that work well for this purpose; you can get a look at them here:

https://www.amazon.com/Tool-Kit-Metal-Earth-Models/dp/B00MNQ2TUI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503058205&sr=8-1&keywords=metal+earth+clippers

The pair I'm talking about is on the far right of the item pic. I bought my pair from Aliexpress for $4~ with free shipping; just search for "metal earth" and the clippers are often one of the options when you are looking at a listing that offers lots of different models. Downside of Aliexpress: it takes 2-3 weeks for that free shipping to get from China to the US. But I wasn't in a hurry so the wait didn't bother me. Hope this helps!

Here is a pretty good starter tool kit that has some decent cutters for getting the pieces out successfully.

Oooo, something like this? I hadn't considered, but now that I'm thinking about it, this would definitely help catch those tiny parts that tend to jump around.

Michael's has coupons for one item at 50% off from time to time so I was able to get the cases for $30 each.

Here is the light strip that I got:
https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Non-waterproof-Christmas-Decoration-Daylight/dp/B00HSF65MC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1500094562&sr=8-5&keywords=led+light+strip

This is enough to do both cases. For the power since I do not have them hung up where I would like them to be yet I just got a battery pack. This is the one that I am using now:

https://www.amazon.com/Octopak-2-s-Tm-Battery-Supply/dp/B00LH31OC2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1500094692&sr=8-3&keywords=led+light+strip+battery+pack

I then bought the a Y adapter so that I could power both strips at the same time.
https://www.amazon.com/ESUMIC-Power-Female-Splitter-Adapter/dp/B00G6G5DJ0/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500094769&sr=8-2-fkmr3&keywords=led+light+strip+battery+pack+splitter

For those looking, search amazon for metal shaping tools.
for the specific balls on a stick, https://www.amazon.com/Dapping-Doming-Jewelry-Making-Forming/dp/B00FBP2HGO/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1518492859&sr=8-18&keywords=metal+shaping+tools

For the lazy

$16 in Canada :| https://www.amazon.ca/Hakko-CHP-170-Stand-off-Construction-21-Degree/dp/B00FZPDG1K