For me, the right tools for any job goes a long way towards the success of it and that is certainly the case with model building. I am opening a thread that shows the "Go-To Tools" that I use and hopefully the thread will be a "live" one and others will chime in about the tools they find that are "must-haves" for their work.
Cutting-
Sprue Cutters, high quality scissors, a razor saw with fine tooth blades, Exacto knives with an ample supply of blades (you need to change those blades a half dozen times just during a build sometimes- STOP with the dull blades!), wire cutters and tiny photo-etched saw blades are all a must for me.
Sanding and Shaping-
Sanding sticks, spring loaded sanding belts, sanding sponges, and an assortment of files.
Working in the Round-
A pinvise and a good set of bits and a punch set I picked up from Harbor Freight are great.
Marking and Holding-
Good metal rulers, squares and pattern markers are a must. Tweezers of all kinds, manual, holding and locking, and small clamps of various kinds are real handy.
Bending-
I have two tubing benders and one of my favorite tools is a small hammer type bending tool I picked up from a jewelry making site. Small needle node pliers are real handy too.
Glues-
I use extra Thick super glue (with extra tips as they get clogged), model master needle tip plastic glue as well as the clear glue and Microballoons.
I use all of the items shown (many the exact thing shown) and I;m not sure I could soldier on without any of them! Hopefully this will spark some input from the other builders here as to what tools they absolutely use and think are "must-haves" for good building! Thanks!