ORIGIN STORY

Beacon Hobbies was founded in 2024 by Ross Hilary. While crawling around on his hands and knees trying to recover a dropped drill bit, Ross found himself wondering why there wasn’t an easier way to hold and paint unbased models and awkward parts that didn’t sit well on a standard handle. That question led him to begin experimenting with simple, improvised ways to securely hold pieces of all shapes and sizes.
 

Those early experiments included pill bottles, soda caps, and a wooden dowel with a pin pressed into it. None of them were quite right, but each attempt helped clarify what was actually needed: a tool that could adapt to different parts, support sub-assemblies, and remain comfortable and reliable during long painting sessions.
 

Through ongoing testing and refinement, those ideas eventually became the Atlas Handle—a versatile painting handle designed to securely hold full models, unbased parts, and sub-assemblies using rotational control, interchangeable attachments, and a built-in chuck mechanism. Its successful Kickstarter launch marked the official beginning of Beacon Hobbies.
 

Today, Beacon Hobbies is a small, wargamer-run business focused on creating practical, innovative hobby tools and accessories. The Atlas Handle remains the company’s flagship product and continues to shape its approach: designing adaptable tools grounded in real use at the painting desk.
 

Following the success of the Atlas Handle, Beacon Hobbies is taking time to listen, learn, and plan carefully. Future releases will be shaped by hands-on experience, community feedback, and the same curiosity that sparked the first prototype.