The Best Cheap Alternatives to Citadel Painting Handles (Tested & Reviewed)
The Best Cheap Alternatives to Citadel Painting Handles (Tested & Reviewed)
Meta Description: Tired of paying a premium for painting handles? We tested 5 ultra-cheap DIY and store-bought alternatives to Citadel handles to find the best budget-friendly option for miniature painters.
https://i.imgur.com/placeholder.png Why spend $15 when you can spend $1? We put the alternatives to the test.
Let's be honest: Citadel's painting handles are brilliantly designed. They're comfortable, weighted, and grip your mini securely. But for a piece of plastic with a clamp, that price tag can be a tough pill to swallow, especially for beginners.
As The Thrifty Painter, I refuse to believe it’s the only option. I embarked on a mission to find the best cheap alternatives—both DIY and store-bought—that could hold their own. I tested them with various miniature sizes, and here are the results.
The Criteria: What Makes a Good Painting Handle?
A good handle must do three things well:
Hold the mini securely without wobbling or spinning.
Be comfortable to hold for long painting sessions.
Be easy to adjust so you can access all angles of the model.
The Contenders: From DIY to Dollar Store
1. The Pill Bottle & Blue Tack (Cost: ~$0.50)
How it works: Take an empty prescription pill bottle and stick a large lump of poster tack (like Blue Tack) on top. Press your miniature's base onto the tack.
Pros: Free if you have the bottle, incredibly lightweight, and the tack holds surprisingly well. You can also angle the mini slightly.
Cons: Not as secure for heavy models; can wobble if you press too hard. The grip is entirely dependent on the tack.
Verdict: 7/10. The ultimate cheapo solution. Perfect for small, light models and an fantastic entry-level option.
2. The Wine Cork (Cost: ~$0.20)
How it works: Stick a pin or a small screw through the miniature's base and into the top of a cork. For slotta-bases, you can often just push the tab into the cork.
Pros: Amazingly ergonomic. It fits perfectly in your hand for precise control. Very cheap and easy to make.
Cons: Requires puncturing the base. Not ideal for models without bases or with very large bases.
Verdict: 8/10. A classic for a reason. If you don't mind a small hole in your base, the comfort is unbeatable at this price.
3. A 1.5" PVC Pipe Cap (Cost: ~$1.50 at a hardware store)
How it works: This is a secret weapon. Buy a 1.5" diameter PVC pipe cap. It's the perfect size to grip. Use double-sided tape or poster tack to stick the mini on top.
Pros: Hefty and weighted, feels professional. The perfect diameter for a secure, comfortable grip. Doesn't roll away.
Cons: Requires a trip to the hardware store. You need an adhesive to attach the mini.
Verdict: 9/10. This might be the best value option on the list. It feels almost as good as a dedicated handle for a fraction of the price.
4. A Large Socket (Cost: ~$2-4 from a hardware store)
How it works: Grab a large (1/2" or 3/4") socket from a socket wrench set. Use poster tack to stick your mini to the flat end.
Pros: Durable, metal, and has a great weight. The hexagonal shape prevents rolling. The deep well can make it feel very secure.
Cons: The metal can be cold, and the edges aren't as comfortable as rounded plastic for long sessions.
Verdict: 8/10. A fantastic, weighty alternative if you already have one in the garage.
5. A Small Camera Tripod (Cost: ~$12 from Amazon)
How it works: This is the "premium" cheap alternative. Use a blob of tack to stick your mini to the tripod's plate. The legs fold up to act as a handle, or you can extend them to hold the mini steady on your desk.
Pros: Incredibly versatile. You can angle it perfectly and even rest it on the table to avoid hand fatigue. Great for photography afterwards!
Cons: The most expensive option on the list (though still often cheaper than multiple brand-name handles).
Verdict: 9/10. If you want flexibility and functionality, this is your best bet.
The Thrifty Painter's Final Verdict
For the Absolute Cheapest Option: The Pill Bottle & Blue Tack cannot be beaten. It's practically free and gets the job done.
For the Best All-Around Value: The PVC Pipe Cap is the winner. It's cheap, weighty, and feels the most like a "real" hobby product.
You don't need to spend a fortune to paint comfortably. Before you buy that branded handle, look around your house. You probably already have a perfect painting handle waiting to be discovered.
What do you use as a painting handle? Have you found a better cheap alternative? Share your secrets in the comments below!
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