Amateur Modeler, Help?

[BudaFett]

Hey guys,

After looking on these boards I've decided that I want to tackle a model kit. I've never ever built a model and I want something thats easy but will teach me. I would love to build a Vader Tie Fighter, Slave 1 or a Falcon.

Can anyone lead me to a easy place to start or easy kits and tips?! :confused

Thanks!

 

[JPolacchi]

Well,the Star Wars kits are strait forward and easy enough(not too many parts).You will also find lots of building tips in Fine Scale Modeler(pick up a magaizine or go to the web page) and look on the web pages for Starship Modeler and Cultman TV(amongst many others).Maybe you should try Darth Vader's Tie Fighter?I don't know if you have any hobby shops where you live,sometimes you can find kits in places like Longs/Rite Aid or random toy stores.

Basically what you want to do(for a basic build) is when you get the kit,look over the instructions really well,get familiar with the kit/parts and directions.You ant to wash the kit parts.Give them a good soak in some warm water&dish detergent and scrub away (preferibly with an old tooth brush) the mold release oils that are on the kits parts.Rinse them thoroughly and let them dry thoroughly. You will need at least:

an X-Acto knife w/#11 blades(be very careful with this tool)

A small sized "wire sips" for removing parts from the plastic sprues.You can find this either on line,or maybe in Radio Shack or some other hardware/hobby store?

wet/dry sand paper(different grits 400-800)

a small needle file is helpful (at least a flat file)

Gap filling super glue is good to have

liquid cement made for plastic(don't buy that Testors thick gooey **** in a tube)By liquid cement,like maybe the plastistruct stuff good for ABS&Styrene

low tack masking tape(like the drafting kind of tape)

Poly S Prep is good to have,but not a necessity

Primer,look for some acrylic laquer in hardware stores...maybe Rustoleum,Krylon...I'm not sure.Everyone has their preferences.You can also go with the Tesors Enmel stuff or the Tamiya acrylic lacquer primer I guess?I hear good things about Tamiya's primer.

Any then chose your paint(be sure to stick with one kind of paint),but you can safely use arylyic paint on a cured Enamel primer surface I believe?You might want to double check that.Do some photo research online,check out starshipmodeler.com and other people's builds like in Cultman TV


If you want to get fancy, you can weather your kit(after the paint has cured) and there are a number of techniques to do that...just research it.


So,That's all I can think of off the top of my head.Maybe I missed something or added in too much?I don't know.Mabe someone else will add some more to this?Good luck&have fun.

 

[darth_myeek]

Might add white glue for canopies. CA or superglues will craze (or frost) some clear plastics. At least they have in my case. White glue, like Elmers is supposed to be a nice stable glue for attaching canopies.


I'd also recommend snagging a few kits you don't care about, and practicing.

-DM

 

[Gigatron]

If you're truly a beginner, go to any hobby shop and pick up a few level 1 snap together kits. Cars usually have fewer parts and are easier to learn on. Planes offer a few more challenges and are good as second kits.

Forget all the fancy glues and tools. You need to learn the basics of assembly and construction. After you've assembled 1 kit, try using glue on the second kit. Get a feel for how it behaves. Learn how to clean up and sand a seam line so that it's no longer visible. Get some spray paint and learn the tricks to laying down smooth, even coats.

After you've done this a few times, if you're still interested in building kits, we'll be more than happy to give you ideas on supplies, tricks and techniques. Head on over to www.finescale.com (registration is free) and read up. You'll start getting ideas on future tips and techniques to try out.

Trust me, as exciting as it sounds to jump in with both feet, you'll be a much happier modeller if you start slow. Too many people get in over their heads, buying things they don't really need and trying techniques that are beyond their skill level. What's the point of knowing how to apply a dot filter if you don't know how to assemble two pieces together without gaps and seams? They get frustrated and quit the hobby before they ever get a chance to develop their skills.

Good luck, post your work and don't be afraid to ask questions.

-Fred

 

[Raffles]

My tip would be find something that someone has already done a step-by-step build of.

Finemoulds 1/72nd SW kits are good if you like Star wars stuff. They're relatively trouble free, detailed and a manageable size. This'll give you a good hand in visualising the processes involved.

And most importantly, patience.

That's how most kits get messed up. Not waiting for glue to dry completely, not reading instructions properly, rushing assemblies and missing steps etc.

Don't be over ambitious with finishes either. A nice clean well done finish can look a million times better than a poorly done complex job.

Just take your time. Set say 3 or four tasks to do, have a break and think about the next tasks. This'll let you spot any mistakes.

And remember if you're having trouble that's what the forum is for!

 

[SingleSeat]

And beyond what everyone on any website or in any book tells you to do, or what technique to try, or what tool to use, or whatever the instructions tell you in a kit....

Open your mind to the possibilities. Think deeply: what is it out there that could possibly help gain the appearance I'm looking for?? Don't settle for the first answer you find, and don't ever feel discouraged that there is someone making better models than you...there will always be someone better in anything you do. Know that the world is full of possibilities waiting for you to discover them. Creative possibilities outnumber websites in terms of resources for the modeler, and a good idea that pays off is worth a thousand forum threads. The real satisfaction in modeling comes when you are making your own ideas and creativity work for you and creating a stellar model from the mastery of your own techniques -- a model that you can admire for yourself. Good luck.

 

[masterjedi322]

I have a bunch of old FM magazines. I could send you a few if you're interested. They have a bunch of different builds, but the overall process is the same.

Sean

 

[NAZGÛL]

The real satisfaction in modeling comes when you are making your own ideas and creativity work for you and creating a stellar model from the mastery of your own techniques -- a model that you can admire for yourself. Good luck.

Oh so very true!

As for tips on kits for a beginner, Revell Germany has Vader, Slave and MF. They are cheap (here in Europe anyway), easy to build, and can with som TLC be made to look nice.:thumbsup

Here is my Revell Germany AT-AT:

 

[division 6]

Spend some time looking through The Fine Scale Forum.
Read through the different sections, even ones yous have no interest in since there is a wealth of information in each area that can be applied to different projects.

D6

 

[porteador]

Hi rnbuda.
Many good advices here. Try, make experiments. Find your own techniques But don´t forget to have fun and post here your progress.

 

[BudaFett]

Thanks Guys!

I think I'm going to start out with a Revell Slave I model kit and a toy car model kit my neighbor is giving me. Let the advice the toy car will help me learn to sand, glue and paint. The Slave I is a snap together no glue model but I want to work on weathering techniques first.

Does anyone have a link to a good/inexpensive airbrush?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[NAZGÛL]

My nephiew built it. Its good for starters.

That way you can choose to just leave it with the prepainting (if so some weathering would make it better).

I would however use glue anyway to secure a good fit, and the Revell kits often needs putty and sanding to get rid of the gaps. Doing that you would need to paint it however.

Good luck!

 

[Gigatron]

Does anyone have a link to a good/inexpensive airbrush?

Thanks for all the help!

I don't know if there are inexpensive airbrushes anymore.

Now normally, I do not advise people to buy expensive tools, but, I'd recommend an Iwata Revolution CR. It's fairly easy to learn on and makes a great beginner's and advanced modeler's airbrush. Unlike some brushes that you would outgrow as your skill increases, you can keep the CR for the rest of your natural life. If you maintain it, you can probably pass it on to your kids.

Now here's the tricky part; you don't have to pull it apart after every use, (but I would after every five uses or so) but you do have to really clean it after every use. Run thinner through it to make sure the nozzle isn't jammed and use some micro brushes to clean any paint out of the tips. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but with proper care, the airbrush can, litterally, be a once in a lifetime purchase. BTW, I get my stuff from here http://www.dixieart.com/Iwata_Revolution_Airbrushes.html. Good prices and great people to deal with.

And along with an airbrush, you're going to need a compressor. You can get one of those airbrush specific ones and, while quiet, are often pricey for their lack of versatility. If you have the space and can handle 45 seconds of noise, I'd look into a Craftsmen 3 gallon, 1hp compressor. It has a built in pressure regulator, so you get continous, constant pressure. Plus you can use it to power small air tools and put air in your car tires. I've had this one for 2 years and never a single issue http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...Compressors+&+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors

The last thing you'll need is ventilation. If you don't have a large, open area (I mean like a garage with an open door, or a back porch), you have to start looking into a spray booth. They sell premades for as little as $120.

Airbrushing isn't an inexpensive endeavor, but thankfully, most of the costs are one time deals.

-Fred

 

[Basherthrasher]

Does anyone have a link to a good/inexpensive airbrush?

Thanks for all the help!

Here's a truly inexpensive one: www.bearair.com

If you've never tried an airbrush before - I suggest a Paasche. These are fairly inexpensive,easy to clean,and don't require a lot of maintenance.

 

[division 6]

I second the Iwata.
I have a HP-C for over 15 years.
http://www.coastairbrush.com/categories.asp?cat=10
D6

 

[Bizarro Lois]

I will soon be putting together my first model kit as well. It's one of those Revel re-releases of the old kits. Mine is Robin, and I think it's supposed to have skill level of 2. I've never tried these before, but as a huge comics fan, especially of the Boy Wonder, I couldn't resist trying it for $10.

 

[JPolacchi]

I have a double action Paasche,but I paid too much $ for it.Oh!You might want to reconsider gluing the Slave I kit.Well,I haven't worked on a "snap" model in a great many years,but it had always been my experience to glue snap kits unless they have greatly improved on the engineering and the way the parts fit together.All the snap kits I remember never fit right and often,the parts would not even "snap in".

 

[SingleSeat]

Even if you become a very skilled model builder in the years to come, it might surprise you to go back and revisit the snap-tite kit that got it all started...and knock it out of the park. If a kit is deemed to be flawed, inaccurate, too basic, or damaged, there's A LOT to be said for taking it and turning it into a master piece instead of taking the best kit in the world and making it shine.