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GETTING BACK INTO THE HOBBY

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  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Chicago Area
GETTING BACK INTO THE HOBBY
Posted by U00SDP2 on Sunday, August 1, 2010 5:28 PM

I am going to get back into the hobby....I've been out of it for almost 30 years so I am sure things have changed drastically.  Any help or suggestions for a kit that is not to complicated since it is really for a beginner.  I prefer WW II war birds the most but armor is a close second. 

I could also use some guidance in regards to basic tools, equipment etc as well.  For example....Dremel didn't even exist back then, at least that I can remember, but I can see how they would help a great deal - question is which set?  I can't spend a ton but I want to do the best I can on a limited budget.  I'll need to get an airbrush, compressor, maybe a paint booth (my wife hates the smell of paint) etc somewhere down the road if all goes well.

Scott

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Sunday, August 1, 2010 5:35 PM

I have a Minicraft drill instead of a Dremel, but its the same principle. nd while i can't advise on which set, i would deffinatly advice on getting one with variable speed and thats easy to use one handed, mine has an on off switch on the top. You will also need to decide what you want to use it for. I use mine for drilling out items such as gun barrels as well as cutting, especially resin. So the main items i have are very small drill bits and saws.

As for an airbrush, i use a badger 150. I have had it for years and love it. But i am sure otehrs will suggest other brands and models.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Guam
Posted by sub revolution on Sunday, August 1, 2010 6:11 PM

As for kits, Tamiya and Trumpeter seem to be the way to go. Excellent detail and easy to put together. Academy is not bad, but the detail seems a little more sparse from what I have seen and heard.

NEW SIG

  • Member since
    August 2010
Posted by Red Dog on Thursday, August 5, 2010 9:28 AM

Like the OP, I too am just getting back in to the hobby. It was my one and only hobby as a boy, and now at the ripe old age of 61, I am wanting to try it again, but this time do it right.  A coworker gave me a Squadron catalog, and the local Michael's has some stuff too, so here we go. I have a feeling I'll be around this forum a lot, as it is obvious there is a ton of experience and knowledge here.

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Friday, August 6, 2010 9:21 PM

Welcome back!!! You won't be sorry... like the guys said... Tamiya kits is the good way to start but please make sure that those kits were produced no earlier than 1990!  Believe it or not many of Tamiya kits are still using the same kits from 1970's. 

If there is Hobby Lobby in your area, use the 40% coupon to buy kits!  The coupon usually appears on Sunday papers or you can print the coupon from Hobby Lobby website.  Go for Tamiya StuG III Ausf B as it was very fun and easy to build...

/forums/p/129514/1311468.aspx#1311468

Good luck!

Andy

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Harlan, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Posted by robtmelvin on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 8:30 AM

If you go with the Dremel tool (its what I use) by all means invest in the Flex Shaft attachment.  It is alot easier to work with than trying to simply use the rotary tool itself.  You'll find it money well spent.  Another nice accessory is the WorkStation.  It keeps your rotary tool out of the way and can also be used to mount the rotary tool as a drill press.  I got mine from Scalehobbyist.com.  Their prices are pretty good, all listed items are "in stock" and the ship promptly.  I've bought a number of items from them and have always been 100% pleased.

Like you, I'm coming back to modeling after 30+ years away and I've been blown away by all the changes.  It sure is a brave new world for us modelers!

Welcome back and have fun.

Bob

Just launched:  Revell 1/249 U.S.S. Buckley w/ after market PE and guns.

Building: Italieri 1/35 P.T. 596 w/ Lion Roar PE.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 8:54 AM

I got my first Dremel over fifty years ago, so they were around then.  I find, however, that I don't use it a lot for plastic kits (primarily use it for scratchbuilding or major mods where I use wood or metal).

In addition to the tools you listed, a good needle file set, good tweezers, a pair of good sheers for cutting PE.

I keep two X-acto handles on my bench.  The second one is for scraping (seams and putty areas).  This dulls blades quickly.  When I replace the blade in my primary knife I move the blade to the scraping knife.

Buy #11 blades in large quantity- they are cheaper.  The cheaper they are, the less you are tempted to keep a somewhat dull blade in the handle.

Consider both a razor saw like a Zona and one of the super-thin PE blade saws.

Pin vise and set of 60- 80 drills are essential for some work, especially if you get into older planes with rigging, but even antennas of later planes sometimes require fine drilling.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2010
Posted by mvaldeslora on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 11:24 AM

In terms of kits I would recommend starting out with one or two of the old Tamiya kits - the Panzer IV D, the Panther A, the Hanomag half-track. These kits are dated by today's standards because of the lack of detail and somewhat poor dimensions but the fit is still Tamiya-good and they build up into good, presentable models. This way you get to focus on the essentials of building and painting and not on how to deal with the umpteen fiddly bits in  kits these days - not to mention the link-to-link tracks. Just my $.02.

Mario

And welcome back to the hobby. You will NOT be sorry...

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