What do I need to get started?

[srob]

Hi, I haven't built a model kit for 15 years, but quite fancy having another go this winter when it gets too cold in the shed!

I'd like to build another motorbike so I'm guessing Tamiya is still the only real option?

Also, what would people say are the 'essentials' to get started? I used to use a blunt Stanley knife and the kitchen table. I don't want to spend a fortune on bits in case I don't stick with it, but I guess there's some affordable bits that would make it easier meaning I'm more likely to stick with it. That's my logic anyway

Also, can anyone identify whether this airbrush I've found languishing in the wardrobe would be suitable for model painting. I suspect it's more crafts based, but wondered whether it'd be suitable? I quite fancy the idea of being able to paint the big bits properly

[BULLITT Rich]

A3 Cutting mat
Modelling knife
Side cutters (for taking parts off sprues, saves your knife blade)
Tweezers (few different shapes/sizes)
Small files
Brushes (various sizes)

All can be bought for around £30

Then it's just paints and such, the game has moved on a lot over the years now so have a look round the web for the newer painting techniques. Airfix actually do a pretty good book that will give you the basics again, well worth a read at least.

[dr_gn]

If I had a pound for every time....

[srob]

BULLITT Rich said:

A3 Cutting mat
Modelling knife
Side cutters (for taking parts off sprues, saves your knife blade)
Tweezers (few different shapes/sizes)
Small files
Brushes (various sizes)

All can be bought for around £30

Then it's just paints and such, the game has moved on a lot over the years now so have a look round the web for the newer painting techniques. Airfix actually do a pretty good book that will give you the basics again, well worth a read at least.

Thanks. That's pretty much what I'd thought but wondered if any of the little drills/Dremels and stuff are better than knives for trimming. Also wondered whether the cutting pad things are much of a muchness? They seem to vary quite a bit in price!

dr_gn said:

If I had a pound for every time....

For every time you add a sarky comment to a thread without adding any content... you'd have a pound already tonight?

I tried the search, didn't work. I looked through five pages, nothing. Apologies if you opened what was a perfectly obviously titled thread and got a surprise. Thanks for taking the time to reply though.

[perdu]

The Paasche F1 airbrush was what I used for several years before picking up a ridiculously cheap Chinese Aerograph clone last year for £12. It is a lovely tool, yours looks like a modern version of mine, at one time Paasche were considered the elite choice of draughtsmen (if you believed the advertising - I did)No, I'm wrong yours looks like the top of the range type, much better than mine I wish I had one of them

I still use my Swann Morton craft knives with number 1 and 2 blades, also have a Swann Morton scalpel that works nicely with a good handling balance too.

Get yourself the bits and bobs advised above and you will be up and running.

Buy the very best paint brushes for any brushwork, some of mine have lasted 35 years plus and are used for model making and watercolouring and gouache work too.

If you use acrylic paint get a bottle of Daller Rowney Flow Enhancer and add a drop or two to any acrylics you paint with.

If you use enamels, forget the above.

And do what YOU want to not what we tell you.

All of my advice is guided by fifty years and more of doing it MY WAY, who's to say I'm right. The other chaps all have their/our own ways with things.

All produce work that makes me weep sometimes.

It's only a game. (to keep you out of the garden in the winter remember)

Edited by perdu on Wednesday 23 October 23:53

[dr_gn]

srob said:

I tried the search, didn't work. I looked through five pages, nothing. Apologies if you opened what was a perfectly obviously titled thread and got a surprise. Thanks for taking the time to reply though.

No problem.

Here are a few threads from this forum for you:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

There are dozens and dozens of of websites and YouTube videos on this subject too.

[srob]

perdu said:

The Paasche F1 airbrush was what I used for several years before picking up a ridiculously cheap Chinese Aerograph clone last year for £12. It is a lovely tool, yours looks like a modern version of mine, at one time Paasche were considered the elite choice of draughtsmen (if you believed the advertising - I did)No, I'm wrong yours looks like the top of the range type, much better than mine I wish I had one of them

I still use my Swann Morton craft knives with number 1 and 2 blades, also have a Swann Morton scalpel that works nicely with a good handling balance too.

Get yourself the bits and bobs advised above and you will be up and running.

Buy the very best paint brushes for any brushwork, some of mine have lasted 35 years plus and are used for model making and watercolouring and gouache work too.

If you use acrylic paint get a bottle of Daller Rowney Flow Enhancer and add a drop or two to any acrylics you paint with.

If you use enamels, forget the above.

And do what YOU want to not what we tell you.

All of my advice is guided by fifty years and more of doing it MY WAY, who's to say I'm right. The other chaps all have their/our own ways with things.

All produce work that makes me weep sometimes.

It's only a game. (to keep you out of the garden in the winter remember)

Edited by perdu on Wednesday 23 October 23:53

Thanks very much Perdu. The airbrush was a present years ago when I aimed to get into car styling. Sadly it was just as the world went digital, so it never really got used in anger. I wasn't sure whether it would be suitable for model making, I'm pleased it is though as it was always the painting of the larger panels I struggled with before. I'm sure there's lots of practice needed though!

Would acrylics suit airbrushing better? I'd imagine that they're more 'fluid' (based purely on my painting exploits in the past!).

I'm sure it is a case of learning as you go along and getting your own tecniques, it's just nice to know you're setting out in roughly the right direction!

dr_gn said:

No problem.

Here are a few threads from this forum for you:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

There are dozens and dozens of of websites and YouTube videos on this subject too.

So based on the above, you'd have £4.

I'd stick to the day job, Doc. And yes I'm sure there are bits on YouTube, but the essence of a discussion forum is allowing people to discuss.

[Eric Mc]

I fully converted to airbrushing about 4 or 5 years ago. I also fully converted to acrylics for airbrushing as well.

The main trick with acrylics I have found is to use the thinner that goes with the paint.

My favourite acrylic paints are Tamiya and Xtracrylix. I use Tamiya thinner with Tamiya and Xtracrylix thinner with Xtracrylix.

Paasche airbrushes have a very good reputation so I am sure your brush would be ideal.

My advice with airbrushing is practice, practice and practice. Buy some cheap kits (under £10) to try out different painting styles and techniques.

[srob]

Thanks Eric, I must admit I'd not thought of acrylics until Perdu mentioned them, but I think they'll suit the airbrush much better.

There's a great little model shop in Bury St Edmunds, so I'll maybe buy a pot or two of paint on Saturday and try and get the hang of the airbrush before buying a decent kit then!

What kind of environment best suits that kind of airbrushing? I assume dry, mild and dust free are essential?! I'm just thinking I may be demoted to the shed to practice, but being acrylic they're probably not quite as smelly/messy?! So I may get away with doing it on the kitchen table!

[Eric Mc]

I spray in my garage - even with the acrylics.

The paints themselves are pretty odourless - as are most of the thinners. However, the brush cleaner I use does have quite a strong smell so I find it best to spray outside normal habitable areas.



Have you got a compressor?

[srob]

Eric Mc said:

Have you got a compressor?

Ok, maybe the shed it is then!

I don't have a compressor; there's a big can of gas in the box with it so I'll try it out with that first and see how I get on. By asking that, I'm assuming they eat (drink?!) the gas pretty quickly?!

[Eric Mc]

They certainly do.

If you intend to become a frequent sprayer then it makes more sense both practically and economically to invest in a compressor. These days, compressors can be very good value (under £100) and you can get compressors that are almost silent.

I use a large garage type compressor which does make a bit of a racket when pressurising the tank so it's best being kept in the garage for that reason alone.

[srob]

Thanks for that. I'll give it a whirl and see how I get on using the gas bottle and take it from there.

Chances of me leaving Model Junction on Saturday without a 1990s 500GP bike kit... slim, I'd say

Thanks for your help

[Anthony Micallef]

The only problem with a can of gas is that you cannot regulate the pressure. As you use the gas and the can empties the pressure will also drop. This is a good website http://www.everythingairbrush.com/ and where I bought my compressor.

I can also recommend http://www.florymodels.co.uk/ for lots of hints and tips if you start to get in to it. You have to pay £3 a month to join but I think its worth it.

One tip from me, if you are going to mix the thinners and the paint in the airbrush cup put the thinners in first

[Red Firecracker]

Blimey, charging for that sort of content. I'm truly amazed that people still do that.

[Eric Mc]

Anthony Micallef said:

One tip from me, if you are going to mix the thinners and the paint in the airbrush cup put the thinners in first

Same here.

I mix and thin the paint in the airbrush cup itself. It saves on using additional containers and speeds up cleaning etc.