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Spares Box???

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Spares Box???
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 1:17 PM
Ok, so peel open any of your hobby magazines....have you noticed that almost every detailing article has something to the extent of: "I replaced that (fill in the blank part) with a more accurate one from my spare parts box." GRRRRRR - hard to build off those helpful directions if you don't have a spares box that is super supplied with every part imaginable from ages and ages of modeling. (I AM working on mine though Approve [^] ) What I wouldn't give for a spare parts box like these authors have!! I have a hard time, because when I read that I think "yeah...well thats great for YOU, but I don't stand a chance of putting something like that together" - heh, unless I can break in and steal your spare parts box *chuckle* Smile [:)]

Am I alone?
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 1:28 PM
Well-I have lots of spare parts and decals-but none that I ever need. Guess that's why they are in my spares box.
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Maine,USA
Posted by dubix88 on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 2:01 PM
HEY,
Alot of people buy a cheap kit and use it entirly for spares.

Randy
THATS MY VOTE "If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base." -Dave Barry In the words of the great Larry the Cable Guy, "GIT-R-DONE!!!"
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 2:08 PM
Spare parts in my spares box right now 4...thats it! I used to have a really good spares box that got lost/mislabeled or something because I cant find it now.....Oh well it will turn up someday.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 2:10 PM
I have the same problem. I'm a pack rat.
Everything has a potential use. Just peek into my garage/workshop (the car has never seen the inside of it).
Every two or so years I thin it out a bit. That is when I find out how useful things are.
What I need is what whent to the dump a month before.
I've got lots of spares but never the one I need. Example is a 1/32 Mig17 frount cockpit canopy. I don't plan on building another but.... I'll keep it forever.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 2:14 PM
I hear that too and I think "Well gee, that's useful!" Perhaps a good thread would be to ask "What's in your spares box" because mine never seems to have the part I need and so the stuff there remain "Spares." How spare is your box?
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by cassibill on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 4:45 PM
Mine's left over accessories from various sets and pieces of old models I gave up on as a kid and lost a big chunk of. My first left over option piece will be from a 1/144 P47 Wheels up or down. when I decide which I want.

cdw My life flashes before my eyes and it mostly my life flashing before my eyes!!!Big Smile The 1/144 scale census and message board: http://144scalelist.freewebpage.org/index.html

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 10:32 AM
I pick up models at yard/garage sales and auctions(estate sales). I get enjoyment out of repairing kits. Some kits are beyond repair but I take them also(spare parts)!
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 10:44 AM
I'm kinda surprised some manufacturer hasn't offered an "Instant Spare Parts Box" set of some type.
Just a big box filled with random bits from all their kits!

Ya reckon it'd sell?
~Brian
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: The flat lands of the Southeast
Posted by styrene on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 10:52 AM
Brian,
If it did sell, I would be the one person that Murphy's laws would corroborate: The part that I needed the most wouldn't be in there.

Come to think of it , my spare parts (in several different boxes in several different locations) pretty much fits that Law already......

Gip Winecoff

1882: "God is dead"--F. Nietzsche

1900: "Nietzsche is dead"--God

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 11:33 AM
I've got bits in the spares boxes (plural!) that date back maybe 35 years!, original Frog decal sheets & parts from long out of date kits, for instance. Problem is, some of this stuff is at home in England, so I may well have what I need, but it's 3000 miles away!
Pete
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Oklahoma
Posted by chopperfan on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 11:51 AM
I have four of those metal bins with the plastic drawers. Everything is sorted as to where it goes on the aircraft.
The only thing I have ever used out of them is ordinance!!!
But, I still have them.

Randie Cowboy [C):-)]
Randie [C):-)]Agape Models Without them? The men on the ground would have to work a lot harder. You can help. Please keep 'em flying! http://www.airtanker.com/
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Warwick, RI
Posted by paulnchamp on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 1:09 PM
I have a couple of spares boxes; one for aircraft and the other for ships, but only rarely do I find what I need in them. The luck of the draw, I guess.
Paul "A man's GOT to know his limitations."
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Stockton CA USA
Posted by roosterfish on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 1:22 PM
I must be poor or I don't build as many models as you people do; the most of what I have in my spare box is a bunch of multi-color spare spruce from finished models. But when I need to stretch spruce, I'M READY!
Winners never quit; quitters never win.
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Exit 7a NJ Turnpike
Posted by RAF120 on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 5:50 PM
My spares box is starting to grow. I actually found a part last night that I could use on my Sherman. I find that the more I use resin parts the good stuff I find in my parts box.
Trevor Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket?
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 6:03 PM
I got quiet a spares box too.

Many of the Kits I build come parts that are not needed for that version, etc guess where they end up.

Earthquakes over here at times knock a few Models of he shelf, what can't be repaired/fixed goes in as well.

Granted some of the spares in there are actually AM sets, Supplies(Plastic rods, etc) and leftovers from them.

Be patient and inspect all your sprues and not used parts like decals, etc. soon the spares box will start to grow.

Also visit fleamarkets and similar and buy cheap old Kits to add to it.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 10:37 PM
I have a lot of useless colorful decals......and most of my spare parts are from a kit I ruined (A P-61 Black Widow). I'm in the same boat as you!!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 22, 2004 4:28 PM
I challenge anyone to build a complete model using ONLY parts in the spare parts box.
It doesn't have to be accurate, or even real. But I bet some interesting concoctions would appear.

I'd do it but well, my parts box consists of 8 wheels and thats about it.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 22, 2004 6:23 PM
i could build a 1/1 me 262 from all the spares boxes stuff and my endless hours of research

did you know that the me262a1/u4 was the one with a 50 mm cannon?

i still cant find any pics of the rear cockpit of the b1
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 22, 2004 6:33 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Iroc

I challenge anyone to build a complete model using ONLY parts in the spare parts box.
It doesn't have to be accurate, or even real. But I bet some interesting concoctions would appear.


I guess I could manage to build 3 or 4 Bikes straight from my sparesbox, but rather keep them in there for a planned Diorama for which I will need MORE bike spares.

Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Thursday, January 22, 2004 7:35 PM
I had a spare box, but "gave it away" thinking I would never need it. I still kick myself for doing that.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 1:15 PM
I like the manufacturer idea. I,d buy a couple. I have to come clean on my spare parts "box". I use gallon ice cream buckets. I have several devoted stirctly to autos and 1 with tires only. I have numerous acft buckets with one devoted to weapons and another with only drop tanks. I have decals going back to 65; auto, armor, and acft.
  • Member since
    June 2003
Posted by M1abramsRules on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 1:38 PM
I could build whole models using the spares box. I just trashed 2 models that were broken. I also got close to a complete 1/72 m3 grant in there.

but I find if I'm wanting to make a part better, I will scratchbuild one using parts from my spares box as a base.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: UK
Posted by gregers on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 1:49 PM
i know that trading isn't alowed here but what about a spare parts swapshop thread?. you know the sort of thing, i need a thingywhatsit or a B20watsit. ...i have one i need a 20mm doofus for a LT36 toilet truck....yep i got one and am willing to trade. then e-mail each other and do the deal. that way FSM isn't involved, legally or otherwise. what do you guys think?.

i have got three boxes (3x2x2feet) all full of bits, broken models and old sprues. would have had four but i took one to an IPMS meeting when i was a member and let the other guys dive in and have what they wanted. they almost emptied the box!!!.
Greg
Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by cassibill on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 2:39 PM
Not a bad idea Greg. ShermanFreak sent me a dozen grenades to replace some I'd lost for a figure. I think a canopy may have been replaced that way. If Finescale won't let us do it here. I'm sure a on line mailing list could be created for it.

cdw My life flashes before my eyes and it mostly my life flashing before my eyes!!!Big Smile The 1/144 scale census and message board: http://144scalelist.freewebpage.org/index.html

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 3:25 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Iroc

I challenge anyone to build a complete model using ONLY parts in the spare parts box.
It doesn't have to be accurate, or even real. But I bet some interesting concoctions would appear.

I'd do it but well, my parts box consists of 8 wheels and thats about it.


Iroc, ask and ye shall receive...


http://www.starshipmodeler.net/cgi-bin/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=34

Click on The Rules.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 4:14 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Bollod2

QUOTE: Originally posted by Iroc

I challenge anyone to build a complete model using ONLY parts in the spare parts box.
It doesn't have to be accurate, or even real. But I bet some interesting concoctions would appear.

I'd do it but well, my parts box consists of 8 wheels and thats about it.


Iroc, ask and ye shall receive...


http://www.starshipmodeler.net/cgi-bin/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=34

Click on The Rules.


Wow cool idea.
To bad I don't have that many parts.
  • Member since
    February 2003
Posted by Jim Barton on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 4:29 PM
I have two spare parts boxes. One holds small parts, the other one (essentially an oversize shoebox) holds larger parts. In addition, when I make my own parts from sheet or strip styrene, the little tiny leftover scraps are placed in one of those little plastic containers you get with take-out food that hold hot sauce or parmesan cheese or whatever.

"Whaddya mean 'Who's flying the plane?!' Nobody's flying the plane!"

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 21, 2004 1:17 PM
My biggest problem with the spares box / junk drawer is figuring out what the part came from. A few months ago I lost the front part of the canopy to a P51 I was almost finished with. To my good fortune I found an old Monogram kit of aTwin Mustang F-82G on the clearance shelf at a local shop. Open box but the inner bag was intact. Problem is that the more I looked at it the more I thought I might build it. Now I have two unfinished models instead of a bunch of spare partsDead [xx(]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 22, 2004 3:04 AM
I once had dreams of creating some kooky mythical piece of german armour from my spares box (or the black hole of Lesson's Learnt, as I call it.) but could never really be bothered. I converted and Opel Maulier to a Panzerwerfer before the Italeri kit came out (D'oh!!) so that has given me lots of spares. Even better, the other day I collected up about 40 old Tamiya figures from my spares box that I had painted badly years ago, soaked them in degreaser to remove the paint, and then sorted them into parts box by body parts! It will be great to have some a wide range of little Nazis to populate dioramas with! Gives you a lot of variety to poses too!
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