Hey

i was thinking about starting to create custom figs, and wondernig what stuff (materials) i should have and where to get them cheapest. Here's the list i've compiled so far that i think i'll need:

-Paint (what type of paint should i get?)
-Sculpy (or that clay stuff you all have)
-X-Acto Kniffe (i already have one but want to know if there's a "better" or "higher quality" one)
-Glue (what type of glue should i get?)

also, if any of you know what else i should have, please let me know. Also, custom tips in general would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Paint- The best is definitely Citadel Colour by Games Workshop. Goes on very smooth and doesn't obscure fine details. The only problem is that the colors are rather specific. I haven't seen a primary/secondary color set, so mixing a color to match is tricky. For that I use Golden Acrylics, but there may be better brands.

Sculpy- I've heard most get better results with a 2-part epoxy (like Green Stuff or ProCreate) than Sculpy.

X-acto Knife- X-acto brand is fine. I'd suggest getting one that feels comfortable in your hand and has interchangable blades, so you can swap out dull ones (because you'll apply more pressure, you're more likely to slip and cut yourself with a dull blade).

Glue- I just use Krazy Glue. If you can, try to get the single-use mini-tubes, since any size Krazy Glue tube will dry out quickly after it's first use, so you won't likely get more than one use anyway.

Other tools that will help would be a small file to trim and smooth out surfaces before gluing, and a push-pin or sewing needle to scrape away tiny bit of excess paint and such.

I would suggest getting a little tupperware tub or even wash out an old philidelphia cheese tub and keep as a "Bitz Box" all the little bits that come off or your about to throw away after doing a conversion put into the box.

I've made 3 really good customs out of just scrap I had in my customs box, a leg from a swm an arm from a heroclix guy etc

Also everyday stuff around your house can be used to, tiolet roll tubes, pringles tubs.. lots of stuff, toothpicks work wonders!

I used to collect warhammer 40k and Lord of the rings by games workshop, the best conversion I ever did was go to the learning centre and buy a plastic toy elephant then some modeling putty at walmart and made a mumak... beat paying the $100 bucks or however much it was and it looked awsome!

I just got the head for my Master Thon conversion from a kids dino playset at walmart

i recently bought a testors acrylic starter set (came with 12 paints) and also some various enamel testor paints too. Inadditon; i mostly use a toothpick to paint my figures--is this normal?

Tooth picks work for very small details, but I would definitely pick up some brushes. They can work just as well, and will work a lot better when trying to paint slightly larger areas.

I don't know if I'd use the enamel Testor paints. Haven't tried those before. Personally, I don't like the Testor's paints at all for miniatures. For cheap stuff, I like to stick to Folk Art or Apple Barrel paints. But I've been slowly updating my paints to GW/Citadel stuff, and I definitely notice the difference.