Newbie green as grass

You've been getting some great advice on basic tools, but I don't think I've seen masking tape. Also here a tool that I use constantly, it's great for placing tiny parts. It's called a Pick and Place. The end has a tacky ball on the end of a pen-like handle. It sticks to the part and it's easy to remove from the tool. It leaves no residue on the part. When the tackiness needs a booster, simply dab the end on the some masking tape.

Here's the only place I've found it, although I'm sure there are others.

http://www.billingboatsusa.com/447-ptw1131-pick-place-tool-small.html

rob is right on the HL coupon. I get min on my phone and show that to them. You can use it more than one time if you pay by a different credit card or cash. That is what the one we frequent does.

@Tim Kidwell - thanks for posting those links. I didn't even know those videos existed! I'll have to explore this site a bit more.

@cwalker3 - excellent tip on those websites.  I picked up a lot of tips and tricks from swannysmodels, especially how to mask canopies.  I'd almost forgotten about that website, will have to revisit it today.

Welcome Saito56. You came to the right place to get started. You'll find many people here eager to assist you. Ask lots of questions. You'll get very respectful, very helpful answers. All the things you have listed are essential for an initial model building set of tools and resources. I ditto all the suggestions, and add that you really want to get more than one type of glue.

Sometimes, you'll need a thin glue. My first glue of choice is the Model Master glue in the square plastic bottle with the long thin metal spout. It really lets me control where the glue goes and how much. The thin glue will let you pop pieces off after it dries if you need to. Sometimes, that's good and sometimes it's not! I do wonder how well it holds up over the years, though. I'll be finding out! :-)

Other times, you'll need something like Testors squeeze tube glue. It takes longer to set, so you can work with it a little while, and it's stickier so it grabs pieces a little bit and can help hold them in place. It also holds better when it finally dries.

You also need some super glue, called CA around here. It sets quickly so you can use it for pieces that are on vertical surfaces so they are less likely to slide down from where you want them, or you can use it on pieces that you don't want to hold together forever while you wait for the glue to dry. Just watch out that your fingers are out of the way, (he said with a clear tone of experience.) It's also great for gluing pieces together when you want the seams to disappear. Load up the edges, squeeze them together, and watch the glue melt the plastic and fill the seam. A little sanding and some final touch up with some Mr. Surfacer 500, another must-have in my opinion, and those aggravating seams will be gone.

Best wishes on your modeling journey. I am looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Welcome Saito56. What a question you have asked! You already have some great answers so I'll just point you in the direction of a couple of very good sites. The first one carries just about any modeling tool you can think of. They can be found at www.micro-mark.com. The other one is www.swannysmodels.com. Here you'll find lots of great articles and tips both for the beginner and the more experienced. And while I'm thinking of it, how about www.perthmilitarymodeling.com Here you can find hundreds of reviews, new kit news as well as lots of other tidbits.

Once again, welcome. And don't be afraid to ask questions!

you can print multiple copies of the coupon from their site, but only use it once per transaction. I usually cut it from my Sunday paper.

Hi Saito,

Here are some links to the FSM articles that should help you get started:

Build Great Scale Models 1

Build Great Scale Models 2

Build Great Scale Models 3

Build Great Scale Models 4

We also have started a series of videos for beginners, those returning to the hobby, and those wanting a refresher.

FSM Basics 1 - Removing plastic parts from sprue

FSM Basics 2 - Glues and how to use them

Hope this helped!

Tim

"You can also find things at Hobby Lobby (if you have one near by!) and get 40% off with their coupon...JoAnns and Micaels do the same thing. They have many tools, items, and such in the other "departments" that work fine for models."

- Is that 40% coupon a one time use per customer, or can you use that multiple times?

You can also find things at Hobby Lobby (if you have one near by!) and get 40% off with their coupon...JoAnns and Micaels do the same thing. They have many tools, items, and such in the other "departments" that work fine for models.

Harbor Freight has some very inexpensive small clamps - things like that.

Don Wheeler (google him) has a site that is quite useful - sites.google.com/.../donsairbrushtips

Hey Saito, we live rather close together.   I'm in Port Orange and I would be glad to run you through the tools etc. that has ( and hasn't ) worked for me and show you my set up.  I'm no expert but I'm learning  and improving my skills daily.   If you're interested in meeting up, send me an email  jjjdobro@yahoo.com

Thanks Borg!

For a first model I would focus on the basic, painting and assembly. Things like weathering can come later on.

On my shopping list would be (these are the basic and cheap items):

- styrene glue: Testors with a neelde is fine

- white glue (elmers) for transparent parts

- a nailclipper for cutting the parts of the sprues

- a nailfile for clean up

- an xacto knive n 11

- some basic paints: black, red, white, steel

- for a UH-1: a Tamiya spray can with Olive drab

-maybe some Tamiys putty and nail polish remover if you want to fill all the seams.

Here are some articles on starting:

modelingmadness.com/.../inthebeginning.htm

www.arcair.com/.../01.shtm

Side cutters, tweezers, files, sanding sticks, Tamiya Extra Thin glue, X-acto knife #11 blades (I still have this from my RC days), scissors, airbrush, and compressor.

The list is forming nicely. I will touch base about airbrush's and compressors if I have any questions, Brand, etc.

Once again, thank you for all your help.

I would also suggest to get some tweezers, needle files, and sanding sticks in a few different grits.

Hi Saito,

I'll add my 2 cents too.

In terms of glue, I prefer Tamiya Extra Thin and I know it's pretty popular with others too - though that's only for the plastic kit.

For clear parts I use Testors Clear Cement and for metal parts I use a super glue - whichever brand of cyanoacrylate my LHS is stocking at the time.

When it comes to paints, everyone has their own preference, but one thing many tend to learn the hard way is that Tamiya Acrylics, whilst brilliant shot from an airbrush, really don't brush paint very well.

Other more common household items you may invest in are a nice pair of fine needle tweezers, some toothpicks to hold parts whilst painting, some blu tack (poster putty) to mask and also affixing parts to the toothpicks and some scissors for decals.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies, I will start looking around for the things I will be needing. Also time to start reading some threads here.

Well to start you off, you need a non rolling x-acto knife with #11 blade, this model has a square end below the knerl and a soft grip my personal favorite, next a pair of  fine side cutters (dikes) xuron makes a good pair, these trim parts off the sprue and leave very little thst needs to be cleaned up. That said some sanding grits, testors sells them and range from 600 to 1200 thereabouts.  As for glue I use tenex7-r or plasti-weld, they are very thin and require a small brush to apply but it takes care of some small seams and hokds like crazy. On to paint and finish, a single action siphon or gravity feed airbrush such as paache or badger are great starters however a commpressor can be quite spendy, but you do need a good air source, you can also use brushes but try to purchase quality artist brushes and most of all which ever system you use KEEP THEM CLEAN . Paint  comes in many varieties from tamiya acrylic to modelmaster enamals, depending on your tolerance for stink will guide you on to what you may settle into. Alot of thing can be found at Hobby Town, Hobby Lobby, and of course your local hobby shop, highly recommended as it's a small business and they may know a customer who can help you sooner if ya get in a jam. Also many online hobby stores are  simply a click away such as Scalehobbyist.com or Squadron .com,  some of the offshore  places are good like hobbylinkjapan, and luckymodel.com , the key is learning how to navigate the website. Above all be patient and ask questions , its a hobby. Have fun and hope to see your work someday.

So, you see how a little bit of information helps; now I don't give you advice as if you were a 13 year old with only lawn mowing money at your disposal.

Model Expo Online is located in Florida and carries a lot of the basic modeling supplies. While it is not the place for you to get plastic models, stuff like airbrushes, compressors, etc. will keep shipping to a minimum. www.modelexpo-online.com

Hi Rob, I am 65, retired, can afford to buy the basics, and some higher end stuff if it would make things easier. I am in Florida, just north of Daytona Beach.

I built and flew Radio control airplanes years ago, but due to physical restrictions had to give it up. I have a lot to learn, and would like to have a model that looks nice, not like a three year old put it together. LOL!!!!

There's a few questions I have about you before I give any meaningful advice. How old are you, can you afford high end stuff or just want some basic things in case you find you don't like to build. And where are you? If you're in the US, Walmart has some basic stuff in the toy aisle. If not, then ordering stuff from the more common US online shops gets crazy expensive with shipping and customs fees.