What three things?

Online model shops: now I am not stuck with the limited stock and high prices of local hobby shops if there even are any.It also gives me access to all kinds of products world wide which a hobby shop may not have access to.

Online forums,blogs,reviews,and websites: now I can talk to other modelers around the world for advice  and tips.I can read about models and see how they build up and ofvwhat quality they are before I buy.I no longer need to subscribe to modeling magazines like FSM.All the info I need is on the internet,including how-to videos.

Model shows and vendors: get to see some work in person and get to see some new stuff in person and discuss things with fellow modelers,perhaps even grab a deal.

Tojo72

Online model shops: now I am not stuck with the limited stock and high prices of local hobby shops if there even are any.It also gives me access to all kinds of products world wide which a hobby shop may not have access to.

Online forums,blogs,reviews,and websites: now I can talk to other modelers around the world for advice  and tips.I can read about models and see how they build up and ofvwhat quality they are before I buy.I no longer need to subscribe to modeling magazines like FSM.All the info I need is on the internet,including how-to videos.

Model shows and vendors: get to see some work in person and get to see some new stuff in person and discuss things with fellow modelers,perhaps even grab a deal.

 

Hey Tojo, all good stuff. I have not attended a model show. One of these days I need to make that a priority. I have watched a few walkthroughs on YouTube, I would love to do that.

armornut

Good lighting, which I have yet to find, or maybe my eyes aren't what they used to be.

I use three of these. Fantastic magnification, light intensity, color hue change. It is small light and runs off a USB and can go anywhere. I have enough light for a photo studio, for a small space of course. If you shop you might find them less expensinve.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265014534235

I love them!

My three would be
1. Extra thin cement
2. Photo etch.
3. The internet including YouTube.

I must be missing something because I've never tried Flory Washes. I use oils and they seem to work alright.

   Thanks for the link Modelcrazy, I will check them out.

modelcrazy

 

 

armornut

Good lighting, which I have yet to find, or maybe my eyes aren't what they used to be.

 

 

I use three of these. Fantastic magnification, light intensity, color hue change. It is small light and runs off a USB and can go anywhere. I have enough light for a photo studio, for a small space of course. If you shop you might find them less expensinve.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265014534235

I love them!

 

My three would be
1. Extra thin cement
2. Photo etch.
3. The internet including YouTube.

I must be missing something because I've never tried Flory Washes. I use oils and they seem to work alright.

 

Thanks for the input, Steve. Interesting about people's priorities. I second that on the Flory washes.  I am learning things from this thread. 

Yeah, Apoxie Sculpt and Apoxie Clay are two distinct products made by Aves (that's "ay-vees", by the way, Latin for "bird", not "aves" like "saves", "caves", "graves".  I know-I asked them.)

Apoxie Sculpt is a 2-part epoxy putty (putty and catalyst), that must be mixed for use.  Apoxie Clay is a self-hardening clay.  Apoxie Sculpt is popular with sculptors and figure painters (I use it, myself).  It's fine-grained, sets up well, and can be sanded, drilled, carved.  It's comparable to Milliput's fine-grained product, or Sculpey's Super Sculpey.

You can read more, and order the products, at Aves' website:  https://avesstudio.com/catalog/

I wouldn't say they're water-soluable, though.  True, you can use a wet fingertip to smooth both products while working them, but once cured, neither can be dissolved in water.

the Baron

Apoxie Clay is a self-hardening clay.

Apoxie Clay is a 2-part clay with two components that have to be mixed, and yes, until it is cured (as I already said in my post about it) it is water soluble.  It can not only be smoothed, but completely and easily cleaned from areas that you don't want it to be prior to it curing.

When I got back into the hobby I was amazed at all the new tools and kits that were avialable.  Tamaya extra thin would be my top of the list but my very favorite change from the old days is-- The Forums -instead of hoping my model magizine would give me advise on  something I am struggling with I can just come here, type in what I want to know and I get tons of great advise.

1. Having more money. As a kid I could only afford the offerings of Walmart (back when they sold models LOL). I could get a car kit for around $10 and I wasnt afraid of breaking the bank. Now I can drop $100 or more on what I want!

2. Access to better models. Also as a kid since my only access to models was Walmart I had no idea where I could get a tank or airplane kit. Now I can order what I want and get it pretty quick!

3. Internet. There is no doubt about it, the internet has revolutionized how we get information as well as having contact with other people. I love forums and I am a member of many across muiltiple hobbies.