Where do you guys find these gluebombs and other models for cheap?

[John06]

I’m working on a scratch bash project and while I have a ton of spare parts from failed projects but there’s still stuff I need (it appears that my good engines have no transmissions… oops ?)

[av405]

Ebay is #1 for me. As a buyer, you can find some real gems there at good prices. I'm also on various facebook selling groups.

[Zoom Zoom]

The best place to look for good deals on parts kits/gluebombs is in person at a model car show. 

[Mark]

The model car specific events and IPMS shows are usually good, in my recent experience better than toy shows and flea markets.  The model car guys usually have realistic expectations of what they can get for something, especially if they want to thin the herd.  Flea markets and toy shows always seem to have vendors who saw what those "screw-bottom cars" sell for on eBay, and in their minds their busted-up piece should fetch the same money as the best price they ever saw on the best possible example of that item.

[John M.]

I got some nasty glue bombs and nicely made rebuilders on the cheap from E Bay. I mainly use the glue bombs for parts.  I was able to vastly expand my collection courtesy of the rebuilders. I never had the the skills to build really nice models that others here have.

Edited August 26, 2023 by John M.

[SfanGoch]

41 minutes ago, Zoom Zoom said:

The best place to look for good deals on parts kits/gluebombs is in person at a model car show. 

That only applies if there are any model car shows near where you live.

[Zoom Zoom]

1 hour ago, SfanGoch said:

That only applies if there are any model car shows near where you live.

Near and far, if you travel to shows outside your local area, which I do several times per year. Go with a list. Or just stay at home and click away and pay for shipping. Either works, but it's worth going to shows for more a lot more than scouring for gluebombs and parts kits. I've found many very nice fully-restorable kits at various shows for a fraction of what they go for online. Same can be said for unbuilt kits. But seeing the models on display in the show and talking w/other builders who often are your friends or become friends? Priceless.   

[OldNYJim]

I just found a bunch of stuff at the 1:1 swap meet for a buck up…

 

[RSchnell]

Like others have said, 1:1 car swap meets, model shows- especially if it's an IPMS show, the rivet counters don't care about the stuff we like. I've boycotted Ebay due to their shady practices when it comes to sellers so no ebay for me.   

I enjoy the hunt just as much as I do building/rebuilding. 

[Lunajammer]

Glue bombs seem to find me. Most from model shows, swap meets, friends unloading junk and rummage sales. My biggest grab was from an antique and collectibles store near me that wanted to unload vast boxes of them. $50 filled my pickup bed. Lots of garbage in there though.

[TarheelRick]

On 8/28/2023 at 11:38 PM, Lunajammer said:

Lots of garbage in there though

No such thing as garbage in a box of model parts. Somebody, somewhere can use it.

[Lunajammer]

6 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

No such thing as garbage in a box of model parts. Somebody, somewhere can use it.

Glue coated engine halves, broken rims, melted rims, every form of single part with chunks missing. Want ‘em? ? I guess I could make a sculpture. Honestly, I watch the wanted section closely and just mail stuff out when I can. I’ve already gotten my fifty bucks worth.