100 replies to this topic

[Scuderia]

That is right in line with what I asked.  Way to stick it to the bay! (I only wish this forum had a thumbs up smiley!)

For some odd reason, I never thought of raiding a kit and reselling it to recoup my money lol... That makes sense really. Hmm. nicely-done!

[2000-cvpi]

I get a lot of model supplies from dollar stores. They have a lot of stuff like q tips, sanding blocks, etc.

I also go to estate sales for the simple reason of older, well built, American made tools for way less than a new tool. I have four Dremels, three that I bought at estate sales for less than five bucks each. I have found lots of plyers, files, spools of wire, etc. Not to mention the occasional kit, promo, and paint.

Edited by 2000-cvpi, 18 January 2013 - 01:33 PM.

[southpier]

.....  it's also a great skill and imagination builder, as it often engenders creative exercises I wouldn't have dreamed of ....

 

this is what modeling is all about.   all the stuff on the hobby shop shelves is, well, just that.

 

but the essence of modeling is "creativity."

[pandamonium2112]

I'm on the wagon with Radio Shack, i've found alot of items there that work for me.

My approach to budget is a little different. I'm always on the prowl, no matter where i go (dollar stores rock!), i look at everything to see if it will work for any modeling need, not just my current build. Close out sales and Discount bins are a good place. I also like second hand stores. I can pick up old electronics for next to nothing (radios, vcr's, tape recorders, old computors, broken toys, watches) you get the idea, they are loaded with wire, tiny screws and bolts, thin metal..endless possibilities if you use your imagination. I use aluminum cans. cut top and bottom, then down the side. it works for scratch building metal stuff.

Other than that, i'm just very creative, i use my imagination and modify items to my needs.

 

"Creativity" is the key word here.

[Zarana-X]

I'm fairly broke at any given time. I've mostly been rebuilding stuff, my own and some gifted gluebombs, and stuff from the stash. My only new aquisitions have been with giftcards or Christmas money.

[Tom Geiger]

Here's one that might seem a little counter-intuitive:  Antique malls for vintage kits or even non vintage.

Examples:

1:12 MPC Bentley;              e-bay=$100-$200,         Antique mall= $30

AMT '56 Crown Victoria;     e-bay=$30 - $60,            Antique mall=$2.50

 

You're luckier than me. The models I've seen at antique malls are usually more than sources within the hobby.  I've seen models being marketed as "1950s original kit" with both a zip code and a bar code on the box.  

 

Here's the idea... take that antique mall $30 Bentley, put it on the 'bay, get that $100-200 and spend it on proper supplies! 

 

Seriously, I haven't worked in six months so I'm not into spending a lot on the hobby right now.  I do have time on my hands so I want to organize my collection so I want to buy shelving units and other materials.  I'm thinking of selling a few things I'll never build on eBay to finance it.  Might as well!

[Skip]

No. 1 If your local Wally World has auto touch-up paint the kind with the dauber/brush in the bottle, those are not cheap at regular prices so...  Watch the close outs they appear on the closeout aisle from time to time.  Normally you can paint a body with 1 - 2 of the touch-up bottles I've paid as much as .50 cents to a low of .15 cents at those prices you can paint a few cheap.  Pick up some lacquer thinner on the paint aisle.  Just make sure to get a good primer to seal off the body or else you'll end up with a wrinkled mess.  There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the times of year that they mark the touch-up paint down so you just have to keep an eye out for it.  I've seen the old stuff tossed in a small plastic tote under the regular priced stuff.

 

No. 2  While you are on the Automotive aisle looking for cheap touch-up paint look at the fine sandpaper my Wally World carries 800, 1000, 1500 and 2000 grit third sheet packages of (5) thirds for $3 or less.  For the next part of this cheap deal you'll have to go to an auto parts store to find a Mcguire's black foam sanding pad (they are approx. 3/8" X 3" X 4-1/2").  For models I like to cut them down to really small pads like 3/4" X 2"  or so which makes those sheets of sand paper last a long time when polishing paint.  You can put together a polishing kit way cheap this way, you won't polish all the way with sand paper.  To finish you will need to use a polishing wax and wax over the top of it, you can get a nice finish though.  the other trick is using the same foam pad under the cloth polishing pad when using the polish (wax), after its buffed out you can apply glaze wax with the polishing cloth only.

[Tom Geiger]

 

 

No. 2  While you are on the Automotive aisle looking for cheap touch-up paint look at the fine sandpaper my Wally World carries 800, 1000, 1500 and 2000 grit third sheet packages of (5) thirds for $3 or less. 

 

 

 

I've cut my sand paper down to 1x1 inch pieces on my cutting board. I've found this size ideal to do most of my model sanding.   I got the cutting board in the first picture at a garage sale. 3M sandpaper is cheap enough, I took a pack of each grit and cut it up into envelopes.  I did this several years ago and still have plenty of sand paper. With real 3M sandpaper being reasonable in cost and lasting forever, I've avoided using cheapie brands.  I had some but it was so crummy I threw it out.

[Futurabat]

Wally world also carries a great 3,000grit sanding sponge that's awesome for pre-polishing. It's about $6 bucks for a 4x8 inch sheet which doesn't sound cost effective, but really is if you wet sand which keeps it clean and re-usable many times.  

[southpier]

maybe somewhere in the WANTED section there could be a list of people that would accept "overstock" donations? i've got a cigar box full of parts now i'll never use, but can't bring myself to toss. i model specific stuff, not building anything very fast . that, coupled with a tiny apartment and a bunch of other interests, makes me very selective what i can keep on hand.

 

when i get a kit, the first thing i do is separate 'keep', 'maybe', and 'not', parts. then i strip everything off the trees and dechrome (hate the shiney). in the process i'm probably losing 70% of the kit parts.

 

somebody can surely use this stuff. i have no kids and don't know anyone else who builds.

[Edsel-Dan]

I have never seen the Polishing grit sand paper/etc in Wally's. Only 320-400 max!

I may look again. I need to go over there. (Only grocery{or general merchandise} store in town now)

[greymack]

 Hi guys well I think everyone who has posted a comment on here has the right ideas on how to save money.Sticking with a budget is the best thing going.I like to buy bulk since I save on shipping to and take advantage of low costs of items.Also who can't resist a good flea market or yard sale I can't and staying on budget too.Times are tough so we all have to make do with what we have .I guess lots of people in the model community will be doing a lot more scratch building.Budget budget.

[OldTimer50707]

I'm with Joe. I don't have an unlimited budget but I've been blessed to be able to do pretty much what I want to do. Not getting into the "warm fuzzy" feeling we modelers that have been blessed should be able to share with others on this forum. I know some day down the road my budget is going to be limited too but right now I'm willing to help others where I can. Any ideas as to how to do this?

[sjordan2]

That is right in line with what I asked.  Way to stick it to the bay! (I only wish this forum had a thumbs up smiley!)

 

 

 

[Futurabat]

   I shoulda known Skip would have one!

 

Lee, if you want to help others here, just keep an eye on the "wanted" and "Trading post" sections. Use your best judgement on how and who to help. I do it all the time. Usually I tell the recipient to just "pay-it-forward". Keeps the cirle of modeling life going.  

[OldTimer50707]

Thanks Jacen. That is a good suggestion and I'll follow through with it. 

[Futurabat]

You're very welcom Lee, and if I haven't already welcomed you to the forum, well...uhh...WELCOME!  

[Junkman]

Dunno.
This has always been an expensive hobby and shaving off a few pennies here and there won't make you rich.

[OldTimer50707]

Thanks Jacen. One of these days I'll post some pictures of the build I'm doing. My work isn't up to the caliber I've seen on this forum but I try hard

[MAGNUM4342]

Dunno.
This has always been an expensive hobby and shaving off a few pennies here and there won't make you rich.

Christian, I don't think you get the gist. Modeling on a budget isn't about getting rich. It's about not getting poor!   I don't know what it's like in England, but right now here in the states the economy is such that alot of us want to save wherever we can, so that we can afford to keep our hobby.