Another Newbie

[3athlt]

I’m a newbie builder and I want to THANK YOU for this wonderful resource! I’m 43 years old, and am getting back into building after a 30 year absence. I’ve learned SO much over the past two days, it’s been absolutely mind blowing!

I got back into this hobby because I want to see my stepson (mature 8 yr. old) learn something about cars, while spending quality time with me. I give him time on the computer and the Playstation, but I feel like he’s wasting his childhood playing silly games. I believe that (for kids) model building will enhance the life skill of following directions and patience! I also believe that he’ll become proud of his/our builds and gain more confidence as he becomes a young man.

I haven’t invested in an air compressor system yet, but it’s on my wish list. From what I’ve read, it looks like a lot of folks are using a Dremel tool (or equivalent) for sanding.

Will you folks please give me some advice on what tools I should purchase to give me the opportunity to make better builds?

Thanks again for all the help I’ve already received, just by browsing the forum! This is an incredible resource!!

- Marty

- Cincinnati , OH

[Harry P.]

Holy cow... the new guys are comin' outta the woodwork!!!

Welcome aboard, I'm sure you'll enjoy the ride.

To answer your question, tools and supplies are a matter of personal taste and techniques, so you'll likely get a lot of different answers.

To start with, you need the basics: X-acto knife and #11 blades, sandpaper in various grits from very fine to coarse, glues (liquid styrene cement, 5-minute epoxy and CA (superglue) all have their uses), sprue cutters to remove parts from the trees easily, a set of good quality paintbrushes, and probably a razor saw. A set of small files (flat, half-round and round) are very useful, and also, those little plastic spring clamps that are sold in sets of 20 or so for a few bucks at home centers will come in very handy. These few simple tools will get you going.

As you get into it a little, you may want to invest in an airbrush, but you can get perfectly good results with spray cans. I recommend lacquers or acrylics. They go on smoothly and dry MUCH faster than typical "model paint" (enamels). I'd stay away from enamel sprays. Both Testors and Tamiya make a whole line of lacquers and acrylics in spray cans, and of course you can also use "real" car paint, such as DupliColor (which I love and use all the time!)

Ooops, almost forgot....yeah, A Dremel tool comes in handy for rough work like grinding, but you'll also want to get a pin vise and a set of small drill bits. A Dremel, even set at its slowest speed, still runs too fast for fine work like drilling small holes. The high speed of the bit in a Dremel will tend to melt styrene. You're better off drilling small holes by hand, using the pin vise. And for filling seams, and just general filling and smoothing, you'll net a two-part catalyzed putty like Bondo. Don't use the tube-type putties. They dry by evaporation and will shrink over time. Two-part (resin and hardener mixed) putties cure via chemical reaction, not evaporation...so they won't shrink.

Edited January 10, 2008 by harrypri

[mr moto]

Welcome aboard! I'm sure you'll enjoy this forum. Harry's list of tools is very good. The only things I might add would be some of those finger filing boards from the drug store beauty section in various grits and an X-acto (or similar brand) no. 13 blade. That's a micro-saw and I find I use it ten times more than my razor saw. Have fun and don't hesitate to join the discussion!

[Raul_Perez]

Yep, Harry pretty much nailed it. I have a compressor and an airbrush, somewhere out in the garage...but I actually prefer using the Tamiya and Testors lacquer spray cans, mostly because I hate having to fire up the noisy compressor and clean the airbrush when I’m done...but that's all good conversation for another topic...

For brushed on paint, typically used for detailing small parts and features, I prefer the Tamiya acrylic paint in the small bottles. You can thin it with water or Isopropyl Alcohol (aka: IPA and rubbing alcohol). It's really great paint for kids because the smell isn't too bad and it can be cleaned with water or IPA when they spill it or get it on their hands.

For an 8yr old, I'd probably start him out with a snap kit. The advantage is they're easier and faster to build for impatient youngsters who want instant gratification. I’d also show him pictures of the in-process and finished models posted here on the forum.

Good luck,

[3athlt]

Thanks so much for the advice! The stepson and I completed our first build this past weekend. Sure, I was 2 weeks doing the prep/painting work, but we had a BLAST assembling the model! He is so proud of himself, and the wife got some GREAT photos of us along the way.

I've got to pick up some acrylic spray, because the enamel drying process is tedious.

I'll stay tuned and enjoy all of the experts builds, tips and tricks!

Thank you guys SO much!

- Marty

Cincinnati, OH

[Gregg]

Welcome Marty!

It's one big ohana, and welcome everyone with open arms!