Games Workshop Citadel Sub-Assembly Holder: Paint & Tools

Keep Your Models Steady While You Paint

Every painter knows the moment — you've basecoated a model, the detail work is calling, and you need a third hand to hold the thing steady without smudging wet paint or leaving fingerprints on freshly sealed surfaces. The Citadel Sub-Assembly Holder is the answer to that problem. Designed specifically for the miniature painting workflow, it lets you work on individual components and sub-assemblies before final glue-up, giving your brush access to recesses and contact points that would be completely buried once the model is assembled. It's one of those tools that sounds minor until you try it — and then you wonder how you painted without it.

How It Works

The holder is built around the sub-assembly approach to painting: assemble your model in sections, paint each section to completion, then glue the finished pieces together. This technique is particularly valuable for models with complex geometry — Space Marine torsos with arms attached, cloaked figures where the hood obscures the face, cavalry where the rider covers the horse's saddle. By painting before final assembly, you reach every surface cleanly. The Citadel Sub-Assembly Holder gives you a secure grip on individual components while keeping your hands clear of the paint surface. It works alongside Citadel's existing handle range and is built to the same standards as the rest of the Citadel tool line — robust enough for a hobby session, compact enough to fit on a crowded paint station.

Who Should Pick This Up

Any miniature painter who has wrestled with complex multi-part kits will see the value immediately. Experienced painters who already work in sub-assemblies get a dedicated tool that replaces improvised solutions — cork blocks, poster tack on sticks, alligator clips on dowels. Newer painters who haven't yet tried the sub-assembly method will find this an accessible introduction to a technique that dramatically improves paint quality on detailed models. It's equally useful across game systems — Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, Warmachine, or any other miniature wargame that uses multi-part plastic or resin kits. Pair it with a good wet palette and a comfortable brush, and your paint station is genuinely well-equipped.