rebuilds and "glue bombs"

[ChrisBcritter]

Any parts I need, I check Modelhaus prices before I bid on eBay. For example, I'd like to change one of my '58 Ford convertibles to a hardtop. I know if I find a nice clean hardtop body it will go for more than $26 for a resin copy. But a crummy body with a usable roof might be a toss-up. After that last debacle bidding on '61 Pontiac parts and seeing a hood go for $33 I may be calling on Don and Carol more often!

[StevenGuthmiller]

Any parts I need, I check Modelhaus prices before I bid on eBay. For example, I'd like to change one of my '58 Ford convertibles to a hardtop. I know if I find a nice clean hardtop body it will go for more than $26 for a resin copy. But a crummy body with a usable roof might be a toss-up. After that last debacle bidding on '61 Pontiac parts and seeing a hood go for $33 I may be calling on Don and Carol more often

I'll agree with you to a point Christopher. I'll go along with the parts thing under certain circumstances. I know ebay can get crazy on occasion, you just have to be smart & not get caught up in the heat of the moment. Just as an example, I recently picked up a set of mint condition original '67 Plymouth Fury wheel covers on ebay for a "buy it now" price of $7.95. The resin set from Modelhaus goes for $8.50. So there are deals to be had. Where you run into real problems is with the "really" rare kits. Most of the old Johan Mopars from the mid 60s, for example, are not available as resin kits. Some of my holy grail kits, ie. the '63-'67 Chrysler 300s & the '65-'68 Plymouths aren't going to be found anywhere other than a swap meet or on ebay. I've seen some vintage kits on sites like "Model Roundup" going for well into the $200.00-$300.00 range! So, yes I agree, resin kits & parts do have their place & I'm extremely grateful for people like the Holthaus's for their products & I always keep price estimates in mind when I'm on ebay. I know it's fashionable to beat up on ebay, but I'll refrain. I've obtained a lot of great subject matter that I may have never even seen in my lifetime if it weren't for them. & like any other large business entity, there may be a lot of hucksters & crooks to wade through but I'm positive I'll be doing much business there in the future. steve

[Deathgoblin]

Sometimes, a glue bomb is the only way to get an out of print kit cheaply. I've picked up and few and once you get into them, the bug really gets you.

[impcon]

Death goblin, on 11 Dec 2014 - 7:21 PM, said:

Sometimes, a glue bomb is the only way to get an out of print kit cheaply. I've picked up and few and once you get into them, the bug really gets you.

Yeah - they can be addicting all right - especially the really old ones.The originals are diminishing in numbers every day through fires, floods and other disasters. I just like them and feel sorry for them as odd as that sounds. Yeah, I'm a bit strange, I guess.

[Tom Geiger]

[martinfan5]

I am probably one of the few that have no interest in glue bombs , well, in buying them , I have plenty of my own glue bombs

[StevenGuthmiller]

Ain't that the truth!! Steve

[samdiego]

I've gotten lucky a few times in the gluebomb gamble. My favorite is this original issue Monogram Grumman Gulfhawk from 1960. (don't hate the plane in a car forum)

It looked like a rookie had failed in the very first step on the instruction sheet. It's a critical trapping of the working landing gear between the fuselage halves. He missed and it went back in the box. His technique was to place the part and then squeeze glue around it. It was pretty easy to get apart and blueprint. He didn't paint anything either. I was even able to clearcoat and save most of the decal sheet.

These were a pretty advanced kit for Monogram at the time. All of the control surfaces work, the canopy opens and the landing gear operate by pulling the propeller out and turning, push the prop back and it freewheels. Even the tailwheel retracts. Today, it's obviously 50s style engineering, but it was a fun build.

My Dad had built one of these when they were new. It was one of the few of his models that I just could not resist and of course I eventually broke it. I was pretty happy to get this one for $5.

Edited December 13, 2014 by samdiego

[Tom Geiger]

It looked like a rookie had failed in the very first step on the instruction sheet. It's a critical trapping of the working landing gear between the fuselage halves. He missed and it went back in the box. His technique was to place the part and then squeeze glue around it

I have an old built up where the builder did not understand what decals were... he carefully trimmed all around them, then GLUED them, paper back and all to the model body with model glue!

[StevenGuthmiller]

I have an old built up where the builder did not understand what decals were... he carefully trimmed all around them, then GLUED them, paper back and all to the model body with model glue!

I've had several kits that just made me roll my eyes as well. Got a glue bomb '61 Ford convertible where the builder had glued the fender ornaments to the top of the fender rather than from underneath like intended. For those of you who have built an AMT '61 Ford, you know what those fender ornaments look like! I would think it would be difficult to make that mistake & think it looked ok! More recently, I had a '65 Chrysler 300 where the builder had glued the tail light lenses to the outside of the bumper when they should have been glued in from the back side. You'd think they would realize their doing something wrong! Steve

[Snake45]

I have a glue bomb AMT '69 Mustang where the guy glued the red taillights on the hood. But the body shape of that kit is so much better than Revell's that the poor backbirth is worth trying to save.

[Fabrux]

I deal mostly with glue bombs due to the lack of recent issues of the subject material. My biggest kick lately has been mid-70s to 80s domestic pickups. Modelhaus or any other resin caster does not offer replacement parts for any of these, so getting gluebombs is the only way to go. These kits are rare enough and in high demand so the prices can get pretty steep. I managed to pick up two built Fall Guy GMC pickups for less than a single unbuilt kit. Same for a Firefighter Dodge pickup and a couple of the longbed Dodges. When trying to rebuild these kits, one has to be very careful in disassembly as, like I said, replacement parts are unavailable. Thankfully the 80s Ford pickups I have are snap kits, but I managed to get all three in the set built for much less than unbuilt or sealed examples.

[dieseldawg142]

.......

Edited May 11, 2018 by dieseldawg142

[Fabrux]

Glad to help, Dan.

[1930fordpickup]

Thanks for the good laugh Tom.

[Nova-ss]

Yeah - they can be addicting all right - especially the really old ones.The originals are diminishing in numbers every day through fires, floods and other disasters. I just like them and feel sorry for them as odd as that sounds. Yeah, I'm a bit strange, I guess.

Nope not to me...I understand that.I sometimes look for a long while before finding what kit or parts I or others are looking for.I get alot of buildups from a friend.I never know what I may get from him but is always fun.I don't find anything wrong resin parts if you can find them.I even scrach build parts if I can.the more model builds you know help to have friendships that can last for long time,but helps us all to find parts or kits you mite need for other or self.I was looking for a grill for a AMT 73 ish pickup I had and missing the grill.but after a few years of looking....low and behold on ebay for 7.99.seen other for over 30 dollars.there are kits out there to buy for a 100.00 but why mess up a fresh kit for a grill? I can't do that.thats one part I was looking for.there are people looking for parts to restore builds.it can be difficult to find the parts....and as said already...harder to find the parts or kits..

[Nova-ss]

Thanks for the good laugh Tom.

Amen!! That wss funny,but seem like like its the truth...also fits how i feel anyways.