new here, not sure where this goes.

[wwpms6]

i just signed up, i've been browing these forums for the last reading up on building models. looking for some help and idea's on a contest on a real truck forum. so i went looking and found this site, seems great so far. i have also bought a few kits to do. hopefully they turn out all right. its been 11 years since i have built a model and most of the time i didn't finish, the rest of the time if i did it was done crappy. i always wanted to build nice ones but when your a kid youd rather be out playing. the contest on the truck forum and the forum has got me thinking maybe i should try again, so that i can build models instead of having 15 real car projects. so i am going to give it a try!

i was wondering if you guys could give me some tips and tricks, and maybe a list of stuff i need to make a model building tool box?

Thanks Timmy Turner

[george 53]

1st, WELCOME Tommy! 2nd, Man have YOU hit the mutha load! If THESE guys can't help you, they AIN'T NO helpin you!

As far as supplies go, not knowin what you may have, getcha a nice new x-acto knife, with NEW no.11 blades, a few Fine to Course Emery Boards, maybe some small clippers(for removein parts from the trees). If you can find some really fine sandpaper that would help too. There's SO much stuff out there that you could probably spend a fortune gettin it all! But this should get ya started, oh, I didn't mention GLUE! Use whatever does best for you. Some guys use liquid(like me) an some use Tube glue, an still others use epoxies, so it's really what suits you best. The guys'll add more as they come across this thread, but this should gettcha started.

Edited October 30, 2009 by george 53

[BigGary]

George gives good advice here Timmy. These are basic supplies. You might also want to pick up blue paper shop towels, a quart of paint thinner, a quart of lacquer thinner for cleaning. I use Wal-Mart Color Place primer with no problem. Its cheap and works well. As for spray paint, there are many opinions and options, use what works for you.

Too bad his finger slipped when spelling your name.

Gary

[Rider]

Welcome to the site, George is right this site has a wealth of knowledgable builders.

If your build straight out of the box or OOB, then you really just need the basics.

- glue

- a small set of cutters, for cutting parts off the sprus

- an exacto blade #10 and or #11

- 400 and 600 grit wet sand paper

- some emery boards of different grits

- tweezers can be helpful

- crazy glue, for those hard to set peices

- and of course brushes, a small one for detail work

If you want to get into doing mods then a set of small files will come in handy. As you progress you'll end up making tools that work best for you.

Take your time and prep all the peices and test fit parts as you go. Pick an area on the build that you want to pay close attention to i.e. detailing the interior and practice your skills. On the next build add another part and so on.

Read through Mr. Obsessives thread on one of his latest builds he has gone to great length to detail what he is doing and added alot of good tips in there that will help ya out.

Good luck

Edited October 30, 2009 by Plastic Freak

[Jon Cole]

Welcome to our cage! It's a good place to swing from the bars

For basics, it's all about glue & paint. George touched on that a bit. I would add that you try to avoid any "chemically hot" glue on clear parts. Avoid model glue, and super glue. Use a "white glue" on clear. You could use Elmers glue, but a better choice is a liquid craft glue that you may buy at a store like Michael's.

Paint! Never try to get full coverage with the first coat. And if you're painting colored plastic such as red or yellow, you will need a primer. I believe a primer is a good idea no matter what color the plastic is. And, the color of primer does matter.

I'm not a fast typer, so I'll pull the plug on this thread here. Ask if you have detailed Q's!

[Lyn]

Hi Timmy Welcome

These guys are awesome! I needed help and just about everyone has bent over backwards to make me feel welcome.. Which is why I have stayed even though it has been 20+ years since I've touched a model I was building.

Here is a link I just love reading that Mr Obsessive posted/posts. Basically it is a very detailed every step of the way to build a model.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.p...view=getnewpost

someone maybe able to fix it so it is a clickable link for you..

Please do share pictures of your models!

Once again WELCOME

[JamesW]

George gives good advice here Timmy. These are basic supplies. You might also want to pick up blue paper shop towels, a quart of paint thinner, a quart of lacquer thinner for cleaning. I use Wal-Mart Color Place primer with no problem. Its cheap and works well. As for spray paint, there are many opinions and options, use what works for you.

Too bad his finger slipped when spelling your name.

Gary

You hit the nail on the head with the Color Place primer......that's all I use. Now I just gotta find some decent laquer primer.