My Local Hobby Shop is Lame!!

Mark,

Here are two of my favorites:

Squadron

Sprue Brothers

HTH!

I have had good luck (depending what you are looking for) with:

InternetHobbies

Mega-Hobby

Squadron......and others.

Research the Forums for topics.....it comes up often 

mark983 wrote:

Thanks Frank...I appreciate the help....imagine my distress when I can't find basic model master paint!!!  AHHH

Why would you want model master paint?

Either they're snobs or they're really out of touch…

Roll Models (as well as those already mentioned) 

In your opinion, what's the best brand of paint...would love water clean up and non-toxic (for the family).  I've been away from the hobby for 5 years and need to know the latest and the best.

First off, two very important items:

1. There is no such thing as non-toxic. Not strictly true, but you should think that way. Acrylic paints have lower toxicity, generally, as far as is known, than enamels and lacquers.
2. As far as  "best" paint goes, YMMV—your mileage may vary.

My favorite paint is Polly Scale, closely followed by Tamiya. I think I'm going to like Hawkeye's Talon acrylic metallics, too, but haven't used them enough to give a strong opinion. I've seen some marvelous work done with them.

Get a bottle of several different brands and play with them. Search these forums on "acrylic"—there's a wealth of necessary information.

And keep asking questions. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

Hey mark983!

If you ever get over to Fayetteville, stop by Hayes Hobby House- they have MM and Pollyscale, as well as resin/photoetch, hundreds of kits, and all the modeling goodness you'll ever need.

I use Pollyscale and really like their paints. They thin with distilled water- really easy to use and clean up.

I've had good luck with

greatmodels.com

I very rarely go to the LHS anymore, never have new releases and don't stock basic supplies very good either

Thanks triarius.  Appreciate the help

I'm sorta in the same boat as you with no really good LHS.  So, my online shops are pretty much the same as everyone else in this thread.  There is one more that hasn't been listed so far and its,,MissionModels.com

I've noticed that they have a pretty good selection of kits and aftermarket supplies.

Paint, I use basically Tamiya and then I have others brands but the bulk of paint supply is pretty much Tamiya.  I do recommend having a Humbrol Color Cross Reference Chart.  THis will help you out with converting the paints that you need to complete a more accurate paint scheme.

This is all my own advice and you can take it or leave it.  The only thing that matters is that you are happy with your results and you find the modelling supplies and kits you desire.

have a good one!