Stedi is a tool line built around Gunpla and sci-fi kits: a single-blade nipper, a water-based panel liner, tweezers in three tip profiles, a joint-reinforcement pen, metallic markers and starter sets. You do not need all of it. This guide walks through each Stedi tool we carry, where it fits in a build, and the order we would buy them in, so you can skip the impulse purchases and start with what changes your results.
Stedi at a glance
| Tool | Job | Buy it when |
|---|---|---|
| MSL-106 single-blade nipper | Clean final cut on styrene and resin | You already own a sturdy first nipper |
| Ultra-thin double-edge nippers | Thin, durable first cuts (4 sizes) | You need your first nipper |
| Tweezers (straight, curved, ultra-fine) | Placing stickers, decals, small parts | Your fingers are in the way |
| Acrylic Panel Liner (MP-10 to MP-13) | Water-based panel lines | Your kit looks flat |
| Joint reinforcement pen | Tightens loose joint balls | A joint will not hold a pose |
| Metallic dual-tip markers | Metal accents in 8 finishes | You want frames, vents, thrusters to read as metal |
| Starter and toolset kits | Bundles of the above | You are starting from nothing |
Step 1: Cutting parts off the runner
Removing pieces from the sprue sets the quality of everything after it. A bad cut leaves a white stress mark that sanding has to chase.
Stedi MSL-106 single-blade nipper
The Stedi MSL-106 is an ultra-thin sprue cutter for plastic and resin. Its single edge meets a flat face, so the cut sits nearly flush with the part and leaves very little nub. Cut in two passes: once a few millimeters away from the part, then once flush. The first pass takes the stress; the second leaves a clean surface and protects the blade edge. It is for soft styrene and resin only, never metal wire or thick rod.
A single-blade cutter is a finishing tool. If you are choosing a first nipper, read our single vs double blade nipper comparison, which also explains the two-cut method in detail.
Ultra-thin double-edge nippers
If you prefer a double-edge design, the ultra-thin double-edge nippers come in four sizes (MS-100 to MS-103). They are made of strong stainless steel and slim enough to reach connection points in tight spots while keeping the part intact. Because both sides of the blade are ground, they tolerate thicker gates better than a single-blade cutter, which is why many builders use one of each: double-edge for the first cut, single-blade for the last.
Step 2: Placing small parts
Stickers, decals and photo-etch need a steady hand. The Stedi tweezers are nickel-reinforced stainless steel in three tip profiles:
- Straight tip: general-purpose control on flat surfaces and small parts.
- Curved tip: reaching around components and holding parts at an angle.
- Ultra-fine tip: hard-to-reach spots and tiny parts.
They handle photo-etch, fine rigging, decal and masking-tape placement, and positioning small parts while glue sets. If you only buy one, take the curved tip: it does most of what the straight tip does and also reaches around obstacles.
Step 3: Panel lining
Panel lines are the fastest way to make a snap-fit kit look finished. Stedi gives you two routes.
Water-based panel liner
The Stedi Acrylic Panel Liner is a water-based wash designed to flow into recessed detail. This is the real reason to choose it: it is water-based, so it works without harsh solvents. Enamel-based liners and their thinners can attack plastic, especially around stressed parts and joints, so a water-based liner is the safer starting point on a Gunpla.
It comes in 40 g bottles in four MP-series colors: brown (MP-10), dark gray (MP-11), light gray (MP-12) and black (MP-13), plus a set with one of each.
- Shake well.
- Touch the brush to the panel line and let it flow through the recess.
- Let it set briefly, then clean up overspill with a lightly dampened cotton swab or brush; water or alcohol both work.
- Optionally seal with a top coat once fully dry.
Do not sand the panel faces first. Sand gate marks only. If you rough up the flat surface around the line, the liner soaks into the scratches and leaves a stain you cannot wipe away. Keep panel surfaces smooth, and a damp swab will clean them in one pass. Sanding gate marks is covered in our guide to sanding scale models.
Dark gray is a softer alternative to black on white or bright kits, light gray gives subtle definition on white, and brown suits warmer sand and tan schemes. For a liner versus pen comparison and the full technique, see our panel line washing guide.
Fluorescent liner with UV light
For sci-fi and mecha builds, the 365 nm UV fluorescent panel liner sets contain water-based paints that shine under the included UV light, available in ten colors. The light has three modes (strong, medium and stroboscopic) and charges by USB; avoid fast-charging adapters and use a regular charger or a laptop or PC port.
Step 4: Fixing loose joints
Some Gunpla joints end up looser than you would like. The Stedi joint reinforcement pen applies a liquid to the joint balls; in a few minutes it dries and hardens, making the joints slightly thicker so they fit more tightly. It can also be used as a clear glue for canopies and other transparent parts. Our joint strengthening pen guide has the step-by-step method.
Metallic accents
For thrusters, vents and frame accents, the Stedi metallic dual-tip paint markers pair a pointed tip (about 1 mm) for edges and rivets with a flat tip (about 1 to 2 mm) for larger areas. The ink is water-based and comes in eight finishes:
| Finish | Look |
|---|---|
| Space Aluminum | Bright silver |
| Titanium Steel | Steel gray |
| Tungsten Steel | Dark gray metal |
| Gunmetal | Classic gunmetal |
| Black Iron | Black metallic |
| Zirconium Black | Deep black |
| Red Copper | Warm copper |
| Dark Gold | Antique gold |
You can pick single colors, the complete set of eight, or the complete set plus two clear varnish pens (one gloss, one matt). Test the color on a spare part before committing to a visible surface, and keep in mind that a matt top coat will tone down the metallic sheen.
Starter sets: all-in-one options
- The Stedi Gundam Model Building Toolset packs a cutting nipper, precision tweezers, a craft knife and six sanding sticks. It is aimed at beginners and anyone assembling Gundam, mecha or military-scale kits.
- The Stedi Modeler's Toolset goes further: a single-blade sidecutter (with lubricating oil, extra spring and Allen wrench), a full-metal hobby knife with replacement blades, carbon fiber sanding pads and self-adhesive sandpapers, six semi-rigid sanding sticks, a glass file, five double-tipped pens, an eraser pen, angled and straight tweezers, and a box with two trays.
Note that the Modeler's Toolset nipper is single-blade. That is fine as a finishing cutter, but if it will be your only nipper, treat thick gates with care.
A sensible buying order
- A good nipper, or a starter set that includes one.
- Tweezers in the tip profile you reach for most.
- A panel liner in black or dark gray (and brown for tan kits).
- A joint reinforcement pen when you meet your first loose joint.
- Metallic markers or UV paint once you want effects.
FAQ
Can I use the single-blade nipper on metal?
No. Use it on soft styrene and resin only, not metal or thick rod.
Which panel liner color should I start with?
Black gives maximum contrast, while dark gray is a softer choice for white or bright kits. The set with one of each covers all four colors.
Why a water-based panel liner?
It cleans up with water or alcohol and avoids the harsh solvents that enamel-based liners use, which can damage stressed plastic around joints.
Does the joint pen work on any joint?
It is designed for joint balls on models like Gunpla, thickening them as the liquid dries and hardens. Test it on a spare joint first.
Tools mentioned in this guide
- Stedi MSL-106 single-blade sprue cutter
- Ultra-thin double-edge nippers
- Stedi stainless steel tweezers
- Stedi Acrylic Panel Liner
- Stedi 365 nm UV fluorescent panel liner sets
- Stedi joint reinforcement pen
- Stedi metallic dual-tip paint markers
- Stedi Gundam Model Building Toolset
- Stedi Modeler's Toolset