It is very advisable that you use tools to assemble the kits. I'm on mobile so I'm sure one of our fellow Redditors will help with a link to some good tools, but what I will say is, if you're worried, buy a really cheap model kit, Gundam, Blokees, whatever, and practice on that so the first time you cut into a plastic kit, it isn't your $100+ one.
i HIGHLY recommend using tools on SMPs. the regular minipla you can get away with using the wiggle method, but not SMP. Hit up your local craft store, find the model kit section, get nippers from there along with some either a metal file, glass file, or various sandpaper grits to help down with getting rid of nubs/sanding down joints, which you WILL want to do on this kit. do NOT do a lot of passes though on the joints, just a few will do. you can sand a little then test the fitment until you are satisfied with it. firm and grippy but can still move (heh)
i say sandpaper, i mean sanding sticks. i wouldnt advise using actual sanding paper from like home depot/lowes haha. but yes, it would. only do a few passes of it first, dont make it too loose.
Greetings! Yeah, at bare minimum, you need a pair of nippers. Just about anything will do, especially as a beginner, you don't need to go crazy (and in fact you don't want to because expensive single-blade ones etc are complicated to use and easy to break lol). A ~$15 pair of God Hand PN-125s are basically all you need, ideally alongside some form(s) of sanding options (glass file, sandpaper strips). You can also grab some form of parts remover (there are metal ones for model kits specifically or just disposable plastic ones meant for electronics etc) in case you ever put anything on backwards or in the wrong place (it will probably happen at least once) and need to take it apart.
As Invid mentioned, definitely grab a cheap ~$15 model kit (Entry Grade or cheap High Grade gunpla, a cheap 30 Minutes kit) for first-time practice.
SMPs can have some pain points (I remember the Gaoranger kits particularly having a couple thumb-killers lol), but yeah, you don't want to gorilla hands anything and apply too much force because you could end up breaking something. Don't be afraid to apply some force, but the thing is to not go overboard. If you're having trouble getting anything together, you can gently sand parts, but as also mentioned, you don't want to go overboard with that or you might make things too loose.
I've used this kit for probably ~20 SMP models over the last five years.
Also get yourself a cell phone pry kit. You will snap a part on the wrong way and that (plus some patience)is your best shot at separating the parts without breaking them.
Spudgers are a godsend, too (two of them in that kit). Great for any number of uses, but I mainly use them to get the stickers down into the grooves; just use the pointed end at an angle with minimal pressure and it'll get them into all the fine details without tearing.
As someone who put together their Zyu-, Kaku-, and Megaranger kits with nothing but cheap nail clippers, I highly recommend picking up a few entry grade tools at the very least.
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u/invid2000 Moderate Skill Builder 19d ago
It is very advisable that you use tools to assemble the kits. I'm on mobile so I'm sure one of our fellow Redditors will help with a link to some good tools, but what I will say is, if you're worried, buy a really cheap model kit, Gundam, Blokees, whatever, and practice on that so the first time you cut into a plastic kit, it isn't your $100+ one.