What do you you folks us for hexing?

Try Nifskope.

I using nifskope, but how does one scale pieces instead of just enlarging them

Actually, I don't know how to use nifskope. :(

with nifskope you can scale vertices on editable meshes,   right cliock on the editable mesh - transform - scale vertices.  however this is kind of a permanent change (i.e. no undo)  so i usually copy the piece i want to change first,  then remove branch if i screw up.

for actual hexing,  i recommend using Nashex or XV32 (i think that's the name).  theres also the mesh editor program a little program built specifically for hexing FF1 meshes,  its available on the fxforce page.
i really only use nashex now for changing fx nifs,  i used to use it a lot for keyframes,  but m25's program has completely changed that (THANKS M25!)

I always used XVI32.  A bit of a learning curve, but its free and powerful.