suffolk newbie

[Guest]

hey all, 37 years on and im kinda wanting to get back into the hobby, seemingly "things have changed somewhat lol" whats the advice for some first time builds i.e kit type ?? (ww2 my thing i guess) glues, fillers, tools etc how too's !!!!
ta muchly

[Jim F]

Hi Alan,
Welcome to the forum, in regards to kits it depends on what sort of things you want to build and what scale you want, as regards glue I use Revel contacta, Tamiya extra thin and a CA gel, tools I would build up gradually I use a swan morton hande and change the blade according to what I'm cutting, I would have a look at the Scale Modelshop'slink and have a look at what's around.
regards Jim

[scottie3158]

Hi Alan,
It's a warm welcome from me as well you have found a nice place to be. Jim's list is a good place to start. You don't need to spend a lot pound shops are a good place to start with nail sanding sticks etc. I would buy paints a few from each supplier and see which ones you get on with everybody has their own preferences. Good luck with the modelling and remember there is no such thing as a stupid question so feel free to ask.

[Guest]

ta chaps good to know stupid questions are allowed as i will prob ask alot of them lol !!! good call on pound shops !!

[Guest]

" whats the advice for some first time builds i.e kit type ?? (ww2 my thing i guess) glues, fillers, tools etc how too's !!!!

“WW2” is kind of broad — planes, tanks, trucks, ships, soldiers … what piques your interest? Your best option is probably to decide on a subject you want to build (“a Bf 109” or “a Cromwell tank” or “the Yamato” or whatever) and a scale, then ask on this forum if anyone can recommend good kits of that subject, suitable for a beginner. Generally speaking, Tamiya kits are a very good choice, because they Just Fit™, but there are many other good brands.

As for tools: get yourself a good hobby knife, as that’s the number one item you will need. I like this type myself:



but a lot of British modellers seem to like scalpels (similar, but with thinner — and thus more fragile — blades). Other than that, some electronics snippers/side cutters for removing parts from sprues will come in handy, and you’ll need glue, of course. I like the liquid kind in a bottle with a brush in the cap, but there are others. You probably don’t want to use tube cement for building entire kits, but it can be handy for putting large parts together.

Aside from that, I don’t think you really need anything more. Pretty much everything else is either somewhat (or very) specialist or a luxury item (it might make the work easier, but you don’t actually need it).

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Alan
Welcome from me as well....
Agree with the chaps ref tools etc....Jim’s list is a good primer.....I would go with Swann Morton scalpels and handles as your hobby knife, the blade quality is second to none, and they hold their edge well....10s, 11s, and 15s are the blade shapes I use most, 15s are great for cleaning and scraping parts before assembly I’ve ended up with half a dozen handles each with s different blade so I don’t have to fiddle around changing them over.....but that really is a luxury....
Try a few blade types, then buy them in bulk because it’s by far the cheapest way, and you’ll go through quite a few.....
I use exactly the same glues as Jim, but also use two part epoxy occasionally.....another luxury.....
Most important....buy a kit of something you want to build....you’ll make a better job of it because it the connection you feel make you try harder....
Have fun....
Tim

[Si Benson]

Hi Alan,
Welcome to the forum. Looks like you’ve already got some good advice to get you started.
Youtube is a wealth of information and there are some fantastic model makers that you can watch build and paint to glean tips from.

[Guest]

im quite keen on learning the weathering processes etc so a model that lends itself to trying different techniques (prob not ships but owt else) ?? i have an airbrush but havent used it in anger yet lol

[Dave Ward]

Alan,
Welcome to the forum. I'd suggest a Tamiya model - they go together nicely, and you can concentrate on the finish, rather than spend time using fillers, sanding, and other remedies for poor fit.
1/35 Tanks are pretty good to learn weathering - I'd say something like the Churchill, or Cromwell, but whatever you decide, it must be something that you want to make, not something you picked up because it was cheap!
If aircraft are more your thing, then 1/48 Tamiya can also fill your needs, Mustangs, Zeros Bf-109, FW-190, Mosquitos - all will fit together well, and really look the part.
Main thing is to enjoy yourself, don't rush, and if you have any doubts - ask questions on the forum!
Dave

[Guest]

ta dave, quick wish list is bf109, mosquito, me 262, tanks im more axis than allied !!! maybe some dioramas but also a book on the history of each would be nice to learn abit more about each project if that makes sense, have a long affection for u boats too !!!

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Alan
The Tamiya 1/48 109 is a real peach....and thats one that’s on your wish list.....should be a great starter if you want one....
Cheers
Tim

[Guest]

Hi Alan,

Like you, returned from the wilderness after a similar number of years 'away'.
My (very limited) advice would be to not get cheap Tamiya models...as I have done :upside: . Planes & other models may be different, but the few (axis) 1/35 vehicles/tank(s) I've built so far have been pretty horrible!
Most of them are 1970's moulds which just do not fit like you (hope) they will. I may well just be my lack of experience here, but that's my 2d's worth...

Lots of very good advice on tap from this forum!

[JR]

Welcome to the forum Alan .
Plenty of good advice from the guys . Looking fwd to seeing you around .
John .

[Steven000]

Hi Alan,
When I restarted this hobby these tools changed my (hobby)life a lot :thumb2:

• Tamiya Modeler's Side Cutter (N°74093)
• Tamiya Cement extra thin 40ml (N°87038) (smells though)
• An airbrush
• Acrylic paint (water based paint)

Goodluck and cheers,
Steven

[papa 695]

Hi Alan and welcome to the forum.