What does it take to Build a Model?

[DRG]

The other day at work a young man and I were talking about model cars. He asked me a question that I actually had to stop and think about for awhile.

What does it take to Build a Model Car?

I had actually never really thought about it as I'm sure a lot of others haven't either.

1- Some, even if just basic, understanding of the subject matter. In my case cars.

2- Desire to build.

3- Patience, lots of patience.

But when yo get to this point it's time to list tools other than the obvious, glue and paint. The tools that are used in Model Building would be in a lot of cases a matter of choice, rather than necessary.

An exacto knife, sandpaper and ????? would be used by about everyone.

What are your thoughts???????

[mikemodeler]

Don,

Great topic! I agree with the 3 things you have listed- knowledge, desire and patience.

As far as tools go, that can be debated as I started nearly 40 years ago with a simple pocket knife and whatever file or sandpaper I could find. I didn't know about exacto knives, polishing kits, hobby files, multiple grades of sandpaper, proper primers and color coats and clear coats!

Today I have more tools and sandpaper than I ever imagined. I would suggest that anyone starting out in this hobby equip themselves with a good #11 knife, an assortment of sanding sticks, some 320 thru 2000 grit sandpaper and a ton of patience! Everything else can be added as the skills and desire improves.

[diymirage]

it kinda depends on what and why you are building it

sometimes i like builiding kits out of the box where glue paint sandpaper and a knife are all i need

other times i make something that requires more scratchbuilding and you can ad styrene, a hacksaw, a lighter, Q tips, 30 gauge wire, ink, pastels and polishing materials

[Greg Myers]

it kinda depends on what and why you are building it

sometimes i like builiding kits out of the box where glue paint sandpaper and a knife are all i need

other times i make something that requires more scratchbuilding and you can ad styrene, a hacksaw, a lighter, Q tips, 30 gauge wire, ink, pastels and polishing materials

That's what I was thinking. How about this,"What is the least you need to build?"

[samdiego]

Sprue cutters or nail clippers or something to fill that role. One of the first rookie mistakes newbies make (and I've ridden herd over a few Make and Take events) is to twist parts from the tree, my equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard.

Edited February 26, 2011 by samdiego

[niteowl7710]

I'm not sure understanding of the subject matter is as important as having an interest in it is...You could be quite capably mechanically with automobiles, but if you're a plane nut, then building cars probably isn't going to turn your crank.

I would also add -

4.) More Patience

5.) Another hobby you enjoy while you burn off frustration over that model kit your working on...

6.) Oh yeah more patience.

[ra7c7er]

The other day at work a young man and I were talking about model cars. He asked me a question that I actually had to stop and think about for awhile.

What does it take to Build a Model Car?

I had actually never really thought about it as I'm sure a lot of others haven't either.

1- Some, even if just basic, understanding of the subject matter. In my case cars.

2- Desire to build.

3- Patience, lots of patience.

I don't know about understanding unless you mean in general about cars, armor, ships, etc. I barely know anything about Ferrari's but they are one of my favorite build subjects. I think Interest in the subject is probably the most important thing you can have all the tools and 100+ kits but you are are not interested in the subject matter you won't build them.

I think Desire to build is just more selective branch of interest. If you have no desire you won't build no matter how much you have interest in the subjects you are working with. I have currently over 60 kits but I only have a desire to build about 10-15 of them. So the others will just sit.

Patience is one of the things I think really stops a young modeler from continuing the hobby beyond a kit or two. Kit's don't always go together well and paint doesn't always lay down smooth. Going slow and test fitting are a must. Practice is important and I think every modeler young or old should consider each model good or bad just practice for the next.

As for tools and things. I have seen guys that build and the only tools they have are an x-acto knife some fine grit sand paper and scissors and his models are contest winning. It's not about the tools you have it's about knowing how to use them for the application.

[george 53]

Actually, I think the ONLY thing you NEED to have, is the DESIRE. You DON'T need to have the talent, or skill, JUST the WANT to be able to do it. Once you start, the rest will just come by doing it. Like they say, Practice makes perfect. IF you WANT to get better, with time and practice, you will. IF YOU WANT it. But that's just my opinion.

[Guest Johnny]

A model kit??? :lol:

[Pete J.]

There is a basic tool kit that would be necessary to make a start in the hobby. If you don't have some tools to start with, then it will be extremal frustrating and that will be the end of that. Here is my suggested basic kit and an explanation:

1. Glue - Three types - Super glue, white glue for clear parts and thin glue such as Tenex, Tamiya super thin, etc. Ya, got ta stick it together somehow.

2. Sprue cutter of some type - If you tear it apart getting it off the sprue, the model will look terrible and you will quit.

3. Decent brushes - You really need some good brushes for painting the little parts. You may need some cheap ones for white glue, thin glue and decaling.

4. Qtips - For decaling and cleaning up white glue

5. Sanding stuff - Sanding sticks and paper. Got to smooth down the sprue connections or stuff just doesn't fit well.

6. A good hobby knife. Preferably one that has a anti roll design. Ya gota have sharp instruments around to add an element of danger or it wouldn't be a hobby. Anti roll design because nicks and cuts on the hand give you an entrée into telling others about your hobby but a #11 blade will go almost all the way through your foot and the emergency room people don't want to hear you modeling stories!

8. Paint and thinner - Ya gots to make it colorful. 'nuff said!

9. Some small scissors - Good for cutting out the decals and a lot less painful that the hobby knife.

10. A decent cutting mat - 'cuz your spouse is going to have you sleeping on the couch for a month if you screw up the top of her new kitchen table.

11. Masking tape - For holding stuff together while the glue dries and for those fancy paint jobs you are sure you can do.

Now all of us have many more tools than that. Personally I have five drawers full in my hobby desk, but each one of those tools was purchased to make it easier or improve the quality of doing something I could already do with these basic tools. Example, airbrush replaces the rattle can. But you don't need it to start out and searching out that perfect tool is really one of the great joys of the hobby.

[Mike Kucaba]

OKAY! Whose compiling this stuff so we can put it into a F.A.Q. Maybe Greg can print it in the magazine? I'll throw in as a basic need: Steel Wool: several grades are nice but 0000 is my goto in prepping bodies & etc. Hate that seam on an exhaust pipe,cut off a little piece and wrap it around.A couple of strokes and that piece is smooth. :lol:

[highway]

I don't know about understanding unless you mean in general about cars, armor, ships, etc. I barely know anything about Ferrari's but they are one of my favorite build subjects. I think Interest in the subject is probably the most important thing you can have all the tools and 100+ kits but you are are not interested in the subject matter you won't build them.

I have to agree, I think it is more an interest in the subject rather than knowledge, especially when it applies to a beginner modeler. I know when I first started building a little over 25 years ago, I couldn't tell the difference between a camshaft and a crankshaft, let alone tell you even where one would be on a car, but as an 8 year old boy growing up watching the Dukes of Hazzard and Knight Rider, I knew I liked cars. My older brother was also a gearhead, which helped, and he also would build the occasional model, which got my interest in modeling following. As the years went by, I also found interest in fighter planes, thanks to the movie Top Gun, and I started building a few of those, but most of the old collection I had in my youth were still cars.

The time where knowledge started becoming a part of my model building hobby was after I had built enough that I started knowing my basic way around a car, and that led to me having interest in working on the 1:1s. The knowledge I started picking up from working on my 1:1s started filtering into the model hobby to making more realistic models by detailing like brake and fuel lines, ignition wires, etc. Even though nowadays I don't do the level of superdatailing I once did because of getting burned out sweating over every little bolt and nut, which made building feel more like a chore than a hobby, I still look at things I have knowledge of and question if it looks realistic or not.

By the way, I still have an interest in planes, ships, and military vehicles, but the about 10% of my collection they take up are my rainy day "fun" builds. I don't have the knowledge of them to superdetail them and would not even build them as a show entry, but just a shelf model for me just because they are interesting.

[Erik Smith]

The base two tools/supplies: knife, glue.

Attitude is a very important content. You have to be able to see the reward of putting in the building time - there is no instant gratification in modeling. Modeling, at just about any level, is about investing time into a future reward. Sounds like common sense, but that is why many people of all ages have difficulty building models or understanding the true contentment of the builders.

[SuperStockAndy]

Q: What does it take to build a model?

A: Whatever it takes to NOT throw it at the wall when you get mad! :lol:

[samdiego]

I think I've misread the original question, so I'll go this route. When I build as a pro, I replace understanding with good reference material. I just need to know what it looks like. When building for me, it's the allure of the subject matter. I rarely build something that I wouldn't want in a 1:1. And the solving of the puzzle, how to achieve the desired end results.

[samdiego]

Or I could just say

Reading the instructions

[moparfarmer]

PATIENCE and the want to do build it. A little knowledge of cars helps some too. If your going to do it, do it right and finish it. Don't just start and get frustrated and throw it in a box. Maybe start with a snapper to see if thats what you want to do..

[Junkman]

Your marriage.

[SkinnyDan]

Forgive me if I sound ignorant, but I'm building my first model. What do you use the Xacto knife for?

[diymirage]

Forgive me if I sound ignorant, but I'm building my first model. What do you use the Xacto knife for?

several things, but in one word :trimming

when you cut the part from the tree (also called sprue) you want to leave a little nub on the part

the you use you exacto knife to trim that nub of and make the part look nice

you apply the same trimming to what is called "flash"

flash is when the molds dont perfectly close or fit and you get a little rim of extra material on the part

these are also called mold lines

with a knife you can trim all that off and get a nice clean part, though you might want to hit it with some sandpaper to make it even nicer

[george 53]

Dan, for cutting the parts off the sprue's. Once you get started you'll find 100's of uses for it. Glad to hear your doing your FIRST one, there will be MANY more to come.(it's addictive)

[Guest Johnny]

When I goy my first exacto knife I trimmed more fingers than parts!

[Pete J.]

Forgive me if I sound ignorant, but I'm building my first model. What do you use the Xacto knife for?

It is required for blood sacrifice to the model gods. A necessity in every build or dropped parts will start disappearing, paint will run or go alligator on you, clear parts will get glue marks, etc. Just kidding! A hobby knife can be a substitute for a sprue cutter to get the parts off of the tree if you are careful. It is also good for trimming flash(the extra bits of plastic) off of part and scraping mold seam lines and cutting up decals. It is one of those jack of all trades tools that has a bunch of uses that we tend to apply that have nothing to do with the manufactures intent.

[charlie8575]

Q: What does it take to build a model?

A: Whatever it takes to NOT throw it at the wall when you get mad! :lol:

While I can't argue with the basic, tongue-planted-firmly-in-cheek truth, I think what's been said is what needs to be said.

1. A desire to learn, some pre-requisette knowledge helps, but isn't necessary, especially when the first condition is attached.

2. A stock of some basic tools and finishing supplies.

3. A willingness to be patient and occasionally look at things sideways.

4. A determination to not be outsmarted by plastic.

Charlie Larkin

[Racephoto1]

PERSISTANCE