My first 1/35 figures

Welcome back to the hobby!  I took a 20+ years break myself.  If you really want to learn, I would recommend you to read as much as you can here in Figures forum.  Posting your work if you are not too shy and the guys will come to help you. 

I hate to disappoint you but Tamiya figures are not exactly the best out there in the market unless it is recently released (not re-boxed) but it is a perfect opportunity for you to tune up your skills before you build better figures. 

For the figures, I use:

- Excel knife... best tool!  Probably the only one other than paintbrushes.  Not just for cutting, but to scrap seams off using the back of blade.  Tamiya figures are full of those!   

- Liquid plastic cement not in a tube but in a bottle it is too messy for my taste.  I like Tamiya Extra Thin.

- Srue cutter (very good one) is nice to have for cleaner cuts if you are willing to invest. 

- Super glue is a must if you want to glue non-plastic on the figures.  I use thick super glue like Zap-A-Gap to fill in gaps. 

- Putty is necessary if you want to change positions of arms & legs. 

- Sandpapers, of course!  I buy sandpaper files from a local beauty shop as it is alot cheaper and stronger.

For the paints, you need to look at your figures instructions to create a list of paints you need to use.  I don't know what kind of paints you can buy in Brazil.  I assume Tamiya paints are readily available and it will be easier for you if you are building Tamiya figures.  You will see Tamiya paint codes on the instructions. 

Hope this helps... just read the posts you will find plenty of useful information.  And watch out for Manny...

Andy,

Thanks for the tips, I was very happy. Really showed me a north, the direction that I needed.

I bought a kit of knifes (52 pcs), according the photo. Other tools that you indicates, I bought Tamiya Extra Thin Cement, Sprue Cutter, Tamiya Putty (Basic Type).

Other tools that I have: Airbrush, Revell Contacta (Needle), Pin Vise, Wax Carving, Tweezers, Micro Drills, Humbrol Palpo Paint Brushes, Head Light Illuminated Magnifier, Needle File Tool Set.

I do not have the sandpapers, I will follow your tip and buy in beauty shop. Here in Brazil have some brands of acrylic paints, one is called Acrilex, I buy some colors. I'll start buying the Tamiya, like you taught me, following the list of the kit.

Thank you for your sincerity in saying that the Tamiya kits are not the best. I go start with Tamiya U.S. Infantry (35048), I bought it in England, will arrive in a week or a little more. I'll put here the pictures as I go assembled.

I wish you a great week!

Mario

I am glad you have more tools that I assumed.  Looks like you have a great start.  I personally don't use Tamiya all the times... it is hard to hand brush if the coat is still wet.  I prefer Tamiya for airbrushing only.  I recently bought sets of Vallejo and LifeColor because they are great for hand brushing. 

If you are planning to build figures only, maybe you should look into one of those long thin metal files.  I use it all the times especially for spaces hard to reach for sanding.  I bought it a set at a local hobby shop for $15-$20. 

Good luck with your figures... please feel free to post pictures here.  It is the best way to get feedback from others. 

Hello Andy,

Ink Vallejo, may be the line "Color Game"? I found a seller in the UK, which sells every bottle somewhere between US$ 2.00 and shipping cost is US$ 1.50. I thought of buying 6 basic inks: Blue, Yellow, Red, Black, White, Chrome. Of these six, mix and create other colors. Compared with the color table from Tamiya. The total cost of Vallejos US$ 14.00 (more or less). In Vallejo website I not found if inks are glossy or matte.

In the kit I will assemble, the Tamiya (35048), I told the colors are a total of 11 colors US$ 44.00. More Primer and Thinner. Do not know if it is mandatory to use the Primer. The thinner I know I need to dilute the paint in the airbrush. Can you tell me if I dilute the paint with thinner for the brush? To render it more.

Tamiya Primer (40ml) and Tamiya Thinner (10ml), increases spending by US$ 14.00.

Can you tell me your list of basic paints and brushes? I've been reading here in the forum Sable brushes are good, and the sizes most used are: 0, 1, 2, 4. Is that right? I have the kit Humbrol Palpo (Sable), with sizes 000, 0, 2, 4.

Another thing I have doubt in the use of paint is glossy or matte. I imagine that the clothes, hands and face using the matte. And the whites of the eyes, pipe some guns, use a glossy paint. You know you explain this?

Friend, if you can answer me, I'd be very happy. You were not just the first people who responded to me, but was also the only one. I am very grateful for you.

A big hug,

Mario