tico Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Hello everyone, my name is Hector i live in the Washington dc metro area. I love cars and planes, and i really like these model kits. I have been wanting to build a model car or plane for years and today i finally got my first kit. I actually bought 2, i got a 1969 Camaro z28 rs level 2 and a 1968 dodge dart hemi 2n1 level 3. I got 2 because i really wanted to build the Dart but it was level 3 so i also got the Cmaro because its level 2 and i thought it would be a better place to start. I am new so i did not want to jump into a difficult build for my first one in reality i have no clue how difficult the levels are but i just thought this would be a wiser thing to do. I do not have many tools and have no knowledge on tools so i just picked up this kit http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/deluxe-acrylic-12-color-finishing-set-553370/ . Not sure if its enough for for this model kits but its all i have as of right now. I would really love some tips/help from the community. Please feel free to comment, any tips/criticism/help/opinion ect. is welcome as i am new and really do not know anything. Thank you and look forward to talking to you guys. Here are links to the two kits i got. camaro: http://geb.ebay.com/geb/ImportHubViewItem?itemid=221423526355&SEALED-Revell-1-25-69-Chevy-Camaro-Z28-RS-Motor-City-Muscle-Model-85-7457 Dart: http://geb.ebay.in/g/ImportHubViewItem?itemid=261652649651&Revell-Special-Edition-68-Dodge-Dart-Hemi-2-in-1-Model-Kit-Sealed-85-4217
Petetrucker07 Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Welcome Hector. Right now I'm taking a break from the Hemi Dart. It's not a very difficult kit to build. What makes it Level 3, is the drag version. There's extra parts, some body modification is required. If you get your self a Drexel and a pin vise, you'll do just fine. I'm building mine the drag version. I'm not doing anything special to it, so no build thread. As far as tools besides the 2 I mentioned already, look in the tips, tricks section. I can recommend getting a decent set of brushes, from Hobby Lobby is fine, my set has 10 different brushes, I Pais around 10 bucks. A simple set of plastic drawers to keep things organized, kinda. I bought my pin vise from HL, then went to Harbor Freight and bought a set of small drill bits, I really don't know what I was thinkin not having this tool in my box. Go to the auto parts and get you some sand paper. I use 400 grit and up, anything else is too course. If have any questions, feel free to ask.
Russell C Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Welcome to this hobby. Back in the fabulous 1970s, I don't remember if kits were marked with any particular skill level, so after I got past the first few kits I was given which I could still play with in the carpet, I got into immediate trouble by purchasing kits I thought looked neat but were actually what would be a skill level 10 or 20, such as the Revell Cherry Pie '31 Ford. Looked easy enough, but that sort of thing nearly drove me out of the hobby at an early age. Tempted to get one again in my old age just to see if I can build it properly now. One tip you can use on the leftover sprue from your kits is heat stretching it - Youtube link here. Infinite uses, as spark plug wiring, color piping on seats, turn signal stalks, all depends on how thick or thin you can pull the sprue. I use the stuff to fill in shallow seams and cracks on car bodies, too, where you lay a heat-stretched string in a seam, dunk a fine paint brush (not a plastic bristle one, though) into Tenax liquid glue, and then just barely touch the brush to the sprue. Capillary action draws the glue in along the seam, essentially melting the sprue into the body. When it dries a day later, you can sand it smooth. I still use cheap body putty to fill in gaps and scratches, but sometimes the solvent-melted sprue or teensy plastic scraps just work better.
StevenGuthmiller Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 I use a lot of leftover sprue as well. I make all kinds of parts from it, from scratch building antennas & pieces like gear shifts & turn signal levers, to carb linkage. It can be very useful stuff. Welcome Hector! take your time & don't get discouraged. Remember that a lot of the guys on this forum may have 30 years plus experience. It takes some time to learn all the tips & techniques to building a nice model. And to be honest, you never stop learning! Good luck! Steve
Sidney Schwartz Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 I'm also starting out. There are tons of great videos on Youtube that show what kinds of tools you'll need and how to glue, paint, etc. I found them very helpful.
tico Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 Thank you guys for your help. I been doing a little research and it is insane the models people build on this forum. I very exited cant wait to get some experience and knowledge to try something a little tougher. Yea i plan on going back and getting some more tools, i will purchase those things u recommend petetrucker. Thank you Russel I will sure practice on that sprue technique. Yes steven im sue it does thats why im just taking it one day at a time.Yes sidney i was surprised how much info on model cars there is. Well all was very helpfull thank you guys.
Sidney Schwartz Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 A great place to buy various tools is http://www.sciplus.com/. The headband magnifiers I got from them were half the price I could find them anywhere else. They have lots of tweezers, files, etc. I've been buying stuff from them for years and they are very reliable. If you don't like something you can return it.
Krazy Rick Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 My advise is don't get too serious, keep it fun - mistakes and flaws come with the hobby, your better to learn by them, than be frustrated by them. You'll see improvement with each model
disabled modeler Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 Welcome Hector... ....best advise anyone ever gave me on building is to treat every part as if it were a model itself...makes them look great when done. Start with a easy build and work your way up its the best teacher.
mustang1989 Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 Welcome aboard Hector! You couldn't have chosen a better forum to join for all the automotive modeling needs.
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