Best Hobby Painting Handle for Miniatures, 3D Prints & Scale Models
In the world of miniature painting, 3D printing, and scale modeling, precision is paramount. When it comes to painting small and delicate models, having a reliable painting handle or painting system can make a significant difference in the quality of your work. You are able to have a secure platform to paint your smallest details. A painting handle the best way to improve your techniques and these essential tools provide stability and control, making the task of bringing your miniatures and models to life much easier and more precise.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best hobby painting handles available in the market and let you know which one is the best. Whether you're a seasoned hobbyist or just starting in the world of miniatures and scale models, this article will help you find the perfect painting handle to enhance your crafting experience.
Why You Need a Painting Handle
A painting handle serves as a stable platform to hold your miniatures or models while you paint them. It offers several benefits:
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Stability: A handle provides a steady grip, minimizing hand tremors and ensuring smoother brush strokes.
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Control: With a handle, you can rotate your miniature easily, allowing access to all angles without touching the painted surface.
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Comfort: Painting for extended periods can strain your hand. A handle's ergonomic design reduces fatigue.
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Reduce Shaking: Some of us painters have hands that shake a bit and the painting handle makes it easier to paint in the fine details like eyes and buttons on figures.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Painting Handle
Before you make your choice, consider these important factors:
Size and Compatibility
Ensure that the handle you choose is compatible with the size of miniatures or models you typically work on.
Comfort and Ergonomics
Ergonomic handles with padded grips are more comfortable during long painting sessions, but they often will not stand up on their own and fall over when set down.
Material and Durability
Choose a handle made from durable materials that can withstand the rigors of your hobby. A lot of the handles on the market are made of cheap plastic and will not last. If you are serious about your craft, then it is recommended that you get a system that will last.
Types of Painting Handles
There are different types of painting handles available:
Basic Handles
These are simple and affordable handles that provide basic stability.
Adjustable Grips
Handles with adjustable grips allow you to customize the fit according to your hand size and painting style.
Adjustable Clamps
Some handles come with clamps that will hold different sized figures. Many will require that you mount your figure to a presized base so that it will fit in the holder.
Top Picks: Best Painting Handles for Miniatures
Let's dive into our top picks for painting handles:
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Redgrass Games Everlasting Wet Palette and Handle: This option not only includes a handle but also a wet palette, which keeps your paints moist for extended periods. The handle is sturdy and adjustable to fit different base sizes and made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene...which is a fancy name for plastic. You can get it for about $17. Cons: Seems cheaply made and the handle is pretty small. It is ok if you are doing small figures. It is made in China.
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Jococi Painting Handles: Includes a metal handle to rest your hand on. Multiple caps to mount your figures on. Comes in banana yellow and red. Cost is $15 Cons: It looks and feels really cheap, it is a bit awkward to change the caps that hold the figures, some users state that is hard to put together and it is also mass produced China plastic.
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Citadel Painting Handle: Produced by Games Workshop, this handle is a favorite among many miniature painters and it does a good job. It has an adjustable clamp that can hold various sizes of bases, and the ergonomic design provides comfort during long painting sessions. Cost is $17 for a small basic handle. Cons: you need to buy multiple handles for batch painting, sometimes it is hard to open the clamps, the center of gravity is off and will fall over....often.
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The Model Painter: This is a painting system by SoMiniBricks and works as a handle as well. The system is made here in the USA from solid wood. Unlike the other painting handles, this one uses magnets to hold the hex nut to wooden blocks. The hex nuts allow the figures to be held securely to the embedded magnets and they can be moved as needed for painting. The entire system is the most expensive, but in the end you get a superior system the will let you paint up to 12 figures at a time. It also includes a great rotating wooden stand that you can use with the blocks to paint most any model. Overall it is a superior system and it really does not have any cons other than being a bit more expensive, but what you get and how it is used...it is really a bargain in the end. Oh yeah, it is made here in the USA out of solid wood. We will do a complete review of this awesome system so you can see all the cool features
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DIY Solutions: If you're on a budget or enjoy crafting your tools, you can create a simple painting handle using materials like cork, foam, or even empty spools of thread. There are plenty of tutorials available online for making your custom painting handles.
In conclusion, a high-quality painting handle is an indispensable tool for any miniature painter, 3D print enthusiast, or scale modeler. It enhances precision, control, and overall enjoyment of your craft. The overall number one choice is The Model Painter by SoMiniBricks because it is a complete painting system that will let you do so much with your models and figures and it will last a lifetime. By considering the factors mentioned in this brief article you can make a better decision on what you would like to purchase to make your painting better.
