When you have found what you need to visualize the model that you want to get done, it's time to start to analyse the instructions given with the kit. A model in scale, more so a mobil suit model with so many mobile parts, is a small engineering work, where every part is linked to another, following a precise logic and sequence. It's best for a newcomer neither to escape from the sequence indicated in the instructions nor to modify very much the parts of the model. There's the great risk of remaining with a series of cut out and modified parts in your hands, without knowing how to put them back together. At the beginning it's much better to build a couple of models following the project shown in the instructions, experiencing all the modelling techniques and the functionality of the parts. If you are not satisfied of the final results, you can study why and find solutions for the problems. In this way, if the problem comes up in the next model you will know how to solve it. You can always disassemble the old model and try out on it the new solutions. It's very important to acquire some experience before starting to modify a model; otherwise you risk sending it directly in the trashcan. When you have studied the instructions and found out the critical points where to act and modify in order to get our ideal model, it's time to gather all the necessary materials and prepare your tools. 2) Tools and other stuff - Everything that you need to cut, to shape, to glue together, to modify and to paint a model kit should be ready before you start your new enterprise. Modelling techniques are the most various, so my list of stuff may look too long for somebody or too short for some else. It's obvious that who knows different uses (in model making, of course) for the objects that I'm talking about, or wants to highlight some new fantastic tool is free to let us know and/or contribute to this space with an article.

	-CUTTING- Precision cutting is fundamental for a plastic model maker and tools that can satisfy such a task are the first that should be taken under consideration when you go shopping around. Knife - The knife for model making is a precise and ergonomic tool, designed for precise cutting and refining. It's not as sharp and precise as a scalpel, but just so. It's usually packed with a few replacing blades, to be able to cut every plastic surface and shape, and it's sold in most model shops. It's the main tool used for refining the plastic parts of a model. Paper shop knife - It's the knife usually found in most offices, with a retractile and multi-segmented blade. It can be used instead of the more expensive knife for model making, but it's less precise and it doesn't have replaceable blades of variable shape. Razor blade - Even less expensive than the paper shop knife, it can give surprisingly good results in the hands of an expert. It's quite dangerous and not as easy to use as the knives. Be careful to the cuts on your fingers, anyway! Nail scissors - Very useful cut some small and hard to reach parts, for example inner parts in a half built model. Cutting nippers - They are used for the gross cutting work, like separating the parts from the sprue or cutting off large portions of plastic. They can also be used to cut tubes, wires, springs and

	everything else that can use a clear cut. Model shops and hardware stores sell many kinds of nippers. Of course only the small ones are of some use for plastic model making. Razor saw - It's a small and handy tool with replaceable blades, used to separate in a very precise way large portions of plastic. It leaves two clean cutting surfaces, which can be easily refined with knife and files.

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