Beginning SS Modeling?

[wooten]

Hello all,

I've read with interest for a long time around here and I am at a point where I can look no longer! I have to get involved with these beautiful kits some of you guys put out. Everyone here seems so accomplished that it's hard to know where to start. I have the interest in spades, I just don't know where to point it...

I'm an average model builder, nothing close to folks here without any doubt.

My interest is primarily in star wars items. Would anyone have a recommendation as to a good kit for a start just to see where I'm at in skill level when beginning to understand and build homemade kits?

Some things I'm too impatient on to wait for my ability to catch up, so on something like a neisen TIE, I understand that if I want it to look jaw droppingly good, I will need to commission a build. What's the best way to go about that? How does one find folks offering such services? Better still, how does someone find out how good their work is beyond just a photo album? Is there a recommendations or feedback thread on this or another forum?

Of course, I can't afford to do that for every piece I want and what fun is that really anyway? So I do want to learn eventually. Maybe studio scale modeling is too much for me to handle, who knows, but man, I absolutely love the way this stuff looks compared to the stuff put out in mass production...


-John

 

[Guy Cowen]

Welcome aboard John, I can highly recommend the E wing kit from Frank & mo for a beginner, its not original trilogy & never even appeared on screen anywhere but it is an extremely well put together kit that will bring great results & I'm sure you could still get one. If it has to be studio scale or screen scene then I would try & pick up a captain carboard X wing or Salzo X wing, again a very classy kit & it was my first venture into this mad world, the Salzo V 3.1 X will be on sale again soon & you can pick up older ones on ebay or in the junkyard if you look about? Hope this helps?

 

[ralphee]

Could always bag one of the ESB probe droid pod kits i mastered for Rich to cast, shameless plug, but it is a very cheap, very simple entry into studio scale, and its very unique too!

lee

 

[Watson]

Could always bag one of the ESB probe droid pod kits i mastered for Rich to cast, shameless plug, but it is a very cheap, very simple entry into studio scale, and its very unique too!

lee

I concur this is a great launch pad for you.

 

[Robiwon]

Welcome to the boards! SS is an exciting section of the model buling community. You don't mention in your post if you have experience working with resin kits. Most SS kits are at least all resin and a lot are multi media. Multi media are kits with resin, metal and sometimes plastic parts. If you have not done a resin kit yet I would suggest a small resin kit first. There are a ton out there in the $20-$40 range. SS kits require different build techniques than plastic kits. Note that I said techniques and not skill level. One thing I found out after my SS X-Wing build was that it was actually pretty easy. Nice big parts to work with. But different techniques. You will do a lot more sanding and dry fitting with a resin kit compared to plastic. You will use epoxy and super glue as opposed to plastic model cement. You may also need some new hobby tools like needle files, drill bits, and bits of stiff wire for pinning resin parts, etc.

But, don't let any of this intimidate you. With a little bit of planning before you build and a good selection of tools on your desk, you can put together a great looking SS model! Your in the same boat I was, and my first SS build ever took a Merit Award at this years Wonderfest for Blue Leader. YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

 

[wooten]

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty :^)

 

[Aurianna]

Hi I'm trying to get back into SS modelling myself (was very junior when I started way back) in my teens I modified both a kenner Hoth Probe Droid with working lights, as well as re-crafted a kenner speeder bike. Sadly both the models and pics have been lost to time. I'm now in my early 40's and after years of learning to hand-paint & kitbash with miniatures, I want to try to get back in the game with some of the really fine toy sculpts that Hasbro has been releasing. My current dream is conversion of a Legacy Edition Wedge Antilles X-wing in Jaina Solo's Stealth X-wing. So far I've only found one reference pic done as a basic idea, which at least helps with the idea of removing & scratch building new exhaust thrusters. But if anyone can point me to any other pics or even builds of the expanded universe Stealth X-wing I'd be really grateful. Thanks guys Auri

 

[-... . .- --..]

First you'll want to make sure you're posting in the right place. This forum was created for all of the builders interested in replicating the physical miniatures built by the studios and their special effects shops for use in film and television productions, hence "Studio Scale".

Some current threads that embody the spirit of this forum's original purpose include:

Harryhausen Cyclops stop-motion puppet replica
Building the 8' Star Destroyer (superstructures done)
StarshipBuilder's Studio-Scale Galactica #2
Studio Scale TOS Enterprise(11.25 feet)
Building the Sandcrawler

and there are many others.

The project you describe more appropriately belongs in the General Modeling Forum.

 

[qcfoundry]

if you'd rather go a more "purist" route and avoid filling your lungs with resin, perhaps you could try the jedi training remote. fairly straight forward construction, simple geometry, not lot of pieces/donors. but above all, do a kit that you're really interested in -- i find this is the best motivator.

 

[JPolacchi]

I've got some Star Wars MPC kits I've been hoping to off load,but these of course are "commercial kits" and to a perfectionist....most of the MPC kits are not very acurate.

 

[Smiling Demon]

I have been wanting to start this as well and what do I want to start with? The Star Destroyer of all things.
I know that all the detail work will be overwhelming for me but it is a craving, if you will, that I have had for some time!!

Kenny

 

[Smally]

I have never touched a SS model, or any resin model for that matter, before in my life. I jumped straight in at the deep end and got a AT-ATRon as my first. I have started on this kit and am having great fun. I prefer these large scale resin kits as it feels more like DIY which for me is easier than sticking little bits of plastic together.

My advise would be - don't be scared of any SS model kits as all you need is some patients.


Smally.

 

[Jeff Herne]

The key is to not get overwhelmed by the scope of a project. Oftentimes, a modeler will decide that he wants something that is outside of his skillset, or a model that is so physically large that he can't see it through to completion. The solution is simple, and there isn't a scratchbuilder in the world who will argue this solution.

Modeling is modeling - whether you're working a 3" long Star Destroyer or a studio scale scratchbuilt monster. Obviously, there are techniques that you'll use - and not use - for each, but you'll learn those along the way. The key with any project is not to look at the sum of the whole (especially with scratchbuilding), but rather each subassembly you create. Break each subassembly of the model down into its most basic shape, then go forward from there. Stay with one subassembly until it is complete, or keep different types of subassemblies going if you get bored with repetition. If you look at the immensity of a SS Star Destroyer, it appears to be an overwhelming project.

Don't dive into an initial project that's too large. Try your hand at a smaller project and actually finish something. Like the Calvin and Hobbes strip in your sig, finishing something goes a long way in building your confidence and giving you the experience you need to tackle a larger project.

I can't quote from experience in doing scratchbuilt sci-fi models - its not what I do for a living, but I have done some overwhelming projects - and regardless of what it is you're building, its applicable.

This is a cruise ship model we did for a client (thats not me in the photo). The model is 9' long, made predominately of brazed brass. It weighs in at nearly 300 pounds. We built this model (2 guys) from plans in 8 weeks, from the signing of the contract to delivery at the AMEX HQ in NYC. All of the big shops turned the job down because of the deadline. We broke it into subassemblies and had it done ahead of schedule. Every conceivable technique was used in this model, from welding and automotive body-shop techniques (on the hull) to laying individual planks for the decking. There was machining, resin casting, vacuforming, photoetching, and a ton of scratchbuilding, stairs, railings, doors, davits, etc...

If I can do it - anyone can.

Jeff

 

[Gus76]

I am wondering if anyone is still offering Salzo kit... Looks like it is not going to be for sale any more...:confused
Ebay doesn't count - there is a great chance you will end up with a recast.

Welcome aboard John, I can highly recommend the E wing kit from Frank & mo for a beginner, its not original trilogy & never even appeared on screen anywhere but it is an extremely well put together kit that will bring great results & I'm sure you could still get one. If it has to be studio scale or screen scene then I would try & pick up a captain carboard X wing or Salzo X wing, again a very classy kit & it was my first venture into this mad world, the Salzo V 3.1 X will be on sale again soon & you can pick up older ones on ebay or in the junkyard if you look about? Hope this helps?

 

[Loiza1227]

I want to start building models like the one you made. Great job by the way. Do you have any information about how to get started? I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you