What do you use? Do we pay too much?

eizzle

Member since
August 2005
From: Greencastle, IN

Posted by eizzle on Monday, October 17, 2005 6:14 PM

i spend way to much on paint, and lately, tools, since i am building up my tool collection. I have recently gotten more serious about building and have discovered the wide variaty of tools

Colin

Homer Simpson for president!!!

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Sunday, October 16, 2005 11:10 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bgrigg

QUOTE: Originally posted by FALSE

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

Hey, modelling is cheaper than golf!
Or a heckuva lotta other hobbies I can think of.

HEY!!!!
What if you model and golf????

You're not allowed to complain about having no money!

Absolutely! Big Smile [:D]

~Brian

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Bgrigg

Member since
May 2005
From: Left forever

Posted by Bgrigg on Sunday, October 16, 2005 10:59 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by FALSE

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

Hey, modelling is cheaper than golf!
Or a heckuva lotta other hobbies I can think of.

HEY!!!!
What if you model and golf????

You're not allowed to complain about having no money! Wink [;)]

So long folks!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 16, 2005 4:40 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

Hey, modelling is cheaper than golf!
Or a heckuva lotta other hobbies I can think of.

HEY!!!!
What if you model and golf????

Reply
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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 15, 2005 6:58 PM

You can make the equivalent of almost all the aftermarket sets yourself. All it takes is time, skills and suitable equipment.

But time being as precious as it is, most people prefer spending a little money on an aftermarket set designed and built by someone else and thus saving days, maybe even weeks or months of their own time.

You can build ten scratchbuilt superdetailed models in your lifetime, or a hundred off-the-shelf model kits. The choice is yours.

sasu

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howdidyoudothat

Member since
September 2003

Posted by howdidyoudothat on Friday, October 14, 2005 9:57 PM

For me it's away to pass the winter weather. I try to stay within my myself and do the best I can with what was provide within the kit.

I enjoy the build and are am not overly concered with building true competition quality.
(eg. I brush my models rather then air brush for health reasons & when the model is completed the fun is really over for me.) I just wish at times I was maybe a bit better at it then I am.

Bill.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 14, 2005 7:35 PM

i agree, WAY TOO HIGH PRICES on some stuff, that why i usually just scratchbuild, some of the things are even more expensive than the kits themselves!!
-GO SOX-DJ

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 14, 2005 6:57 PM

I find a way to use anything and everything for modeling at relatively low costs. Paint thinner can get expensive when you use the Testors paint thinner. I go to Menards and buy a gallon of paint thinner and refil the bottle when it runs low or gets gunky. Also, as I started to build more adn more modles I have increased the usage of toothpicks and posicle stucks. Yes this sounds weird but popsicle sticks can be used for drying racks or just bracing a part as well as toothpicks.

I do spend a hefty amount of money on modeling, the one major problme for buying non-modle paint is that it is not always safe for plastic. I've tried the acrylic craft paint but it drys unevenly, its flat and it can easily be scraped of wiht a finger nail. I do spend more money then necesary, but the products combined create a wonderful look for the models I build.

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archangel571

Member since
June 2005
From: NJ 07073

Posted by archangel571 on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 1:44 AM

hehe, just to add Pepboyz here in the US actually carries Mother's Plastic Polish. Worked really well on my old car's UV stained headlamps. Can it really do model lacquer clear coats as well??

-=Ryan=- Too many kits... so little free time. MadDocWorks

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SNOOPY

Member since
December 2002

Posted by SNOOPY on Monday, August 15, 2005 5:14 PM

Modeling is cheaper than most hobbies. I know because I also fly R/C airplanes. Now that is expensive! My balance is one takes place during the winter and the other during late Spring to Early Fall.

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clfesmire

Member since
June 2004
From: coastal Maine

Posted by clfesmire on Monday, August 15, 2005 4:54 PM

A trip to the cosmetics counter often finds a basket of nail polishes that are close-outs. Fine modeling paints and some very exotic colors for about a buck.
You also might want to check out nail files (for sanding of course) and compacts that have some interesting colors for weathering. All go on sale when they don't sell very well to the ladies.
But if we catch you trying out the perfume......

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Aaronw

Member since
September 2015
From: The Redwood Empire

Posted by Aaronw on Sunday, August 14, 2005 8:19 PM

There are chemicals out there that work well as styrene glue and apparently are basically the same, but you can get a pint for the price of our typical 2 oz bottles. Unfortunately I always forget what it is (maybe MEK?) and I also worry it may be too strong, besides glue is one of my lessor expenses.

Future is one of my biggest discoveries in recent year I use it all the time, glue for clear parts and a clear coat are my most common, but there are numerous uses, Swanny has a link to his site in his sig that has a great article on the many uses of Future, even gives brand names in other countries.

Automotive spot putty is another one I've started using, cheaper than model putties and I find it is easier to work with.

Like you I have built models off and on since I was very little (7 or 8 maybe? don't really know) but when I discovered all the modeling sites available on the internet it made a huge chnage, both in ability and interest, being able to pop in and check out the stuff others have built or to show off something I've built really helps motivate me, and the fact you can ask how to do something, or ask why some misfortune occured or does somebody make this kit and have an answer usually within in a few hours (some times only minutes) and often many answers is just great.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 7:43 PM

As I just make Tamiya autos I just use their paints and sprays. I find it a lot easier that way. As for tools, just mini files, games workshop cutters, surgical blade. I use as much as I can what is Tamiya even though it’s expensive. It's always given me good looking model results so why change. Honestly I always buy tools, glues, paints est. which I am told are good, are pricy and have quite a hard background of service. But that’s just me. You get what you pay for is my experience.

PS: Modelling is no way cheaper then golf, I pay £2 max a week on it, if modelling was cheaper I would be on easy street lol.

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dkmacin

Member since
January 2003
From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich

Posted by dkmacin on Sunday, August 14, 2005 12:20 PM

Too expensive is relative.
If it is not within the budget, I do not buy it.
However, look for sales and reduced cost items. I have had Novus Polish on my bench for quite some time, it goes along way. And of course we all know a Polishing stick at the hobby shop is three times more expensive than the ones you can find at any cosmetic counter or check out line.
Cheap sand paper is available at $1 sales, it works well enough for cutting down large areas of plastic or putty.
Be a smart shopper and the expense is cut and you have more money for kits!!

Don

I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Sunday, August 14, 2005 7:56 AM

Hey, modelling is cheaper than golf!
Or a heckuva lotta other hobbies I can think of.

~Brian

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pingtang

Member since
April 2003
From: NSW, Australia

Posted by pingtang on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:22 AM

If you want a really cheap polishing compound, try toothpaste. It's not as fine a compound as Tamiyas stuff, but it can work well. Probably the most famous example of what you're saying is Future floor polish as a clear coat (it's much more economical than a specialised clear coat). There's probably more examples out there, I just can't think of them at the momentt.

-Daniel

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Martsmodels

Member since
May 2003
From: Shrewsbury, UK

What do you use? Do we pay too much?

Posted by Martsmodels on Saturday, August 13, 2005 10:53 PM

Hi - although I've been making models for as long as I can remember I've sturggled along until I got the Internet and saw what you Guys were getting up to.

I've probably learned more in three years than everything that has gone before.

However - and this is the crunch. ARE WE PAYING MORE THAN WE HAVE TO FOR SPECIALIST PRODUCTS?.

It seems to me that there is an awesome array of manufacturers offering modelling products in VERY small quantities at VERY high prices when most of these things are already available in the market place.

Let me start the ball rolling if you don't mind,

Microscale Kristal Klear (1fl oz) - Formula 560 (2fl oz) - both good products but here in the UK exactly the same, as far as I can see, as Wickes wood glue which is about 5 times cheaper. (I'm sure there is an equivalent in the US).

Tamiya polishing compounds are great - but expensive. What's wrong with an automotive paint restorative polish (T-Cut) - but 'Hey!' I hear you say 'that's not as good as Novus 2'. Mothers Plastic Polish comes in 100ml bottles (twice the size of Novus) and is made for polishing back windows on soft tops (www.motherswax.co.uk) - just the same as Novus and save a whole lot of money, (again - there must be a US equivalent).

Sorry to go on a bit - I'm sure there are a whole lot more suggestions out there so let's have 'em

Happy modelling - don't spend too much!

Martin

.

Martin http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/

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