Model Tool Kits
Discussion
After feeling nostalgic recently, mainly from watching James May's Toy Stories, I've decided to buy some Airfix. Now I do have a large tool box full of tools used to build a Westfield, however I assume they're not going to be the right size for the job in hand.
So my question is - Can anyone recommend a tool set specifically for making models?
Also if anyone has any recommendations of kits to start with. I've got some experience of Airfix, but being 20 now and not built one in at least 7 years I'd like to start small. Military aircraft is what I'd like to start with.
Thanks
VY
So my question is - Can anyone recommend a tool set specifically for making models?
Also if anyone has any recommendations of kits to start with. I've got some experience of Airfix, but being 20 now and not built one in at least 7 years I'd like to start small. Military aircraft is what I'd like to start with.
Thanks
VY
If you are going to purchase an Airfix kit, you will need to be careful as some of the older ones are not that easy to turn into good replicas. Some of the new releases are not bad at al;l and exztremely good value for money. I would also look at some of the newere Revell releases as they are very good ()and good value) too.
Off the top of my head I would recommend the new 1/72 Airfix Spitfire PR.XIX or the Revell 1/72 MiG 21.
Regaerding tools, you don't need a huge amount to get started.
I'd equip myself with
a range of paintbrushes of various sizes and shapes
a bottle of Revell Contacta liquid cement ( it's best to avoid the old style tubes of polystyrene cement)
a good modelling knife. Swann Morton scalpels are very good and come with a wide variety of replcaeable blades. Size 11, 10 and 10A blades are the most useful.
sanders of various sorts. Suprisingly, nail polishers from the likes of Superdrug or Boots are very good - and relatively cheap - as long as you don't mind buying such things in such shops
paints (of course).
Off the top of my head I would recommend the new 1/72 Airfix Spitfire PR.XIX or the Revell 1/72 MiG 21.
Regaerding tools, you don't need a huge amount to get started.
I'd equip myself with
a range of paintbrushes of various sizes and shapes
a bottle of Revell Contacta liquid cement ( it's best to avoid the old style tubes of polystyrene cement)
a good modelling knife. Swann Morton scalpels are very good and come with a wide variety of replcaeable blades. Size 11, 10 and 10A blades are the most useful.
sanders of various sorts. Suprisingly, nail polishers from the likes of Superdrug or Boots are very good - and relatively cheap - as long as you don't mind buying such things in such shops
paints (of course).
Wow, that was quick. Thanks for the information.
The Revel MiG 21 looks like it could be quite fun, and the tools shouldn't be too hard to get hold of. With 4 sisters it should be fairly easy to get one of them to go into Boots (other pharmacys are available) and get the nail polisher...getting them to come back out again before I've lost patience and tried to finish the job with duct tape is another matter.
The Revel MiG 21 looks like it could be quite fun, and the tools shouldn't be too hard to get hold of. With 4 sisters it should be fairly easy to get one of them to go into Boots (other pharmacys are available) and get the nail polisher...getting them to come back out again before I've lost patience and tried to finish the job with duct tape is another matter.
Were you planning on spray painting or brush painting?
The MiG will probably in an all metal colour scheme. Such schemes are very hard to paint effectively with a brush. Even if you can't run to an airbrush at the moment, for all metal finishes I would use spray if at all possible. Check out the Halfords range of aerosoal acrylic metal finishes.
Another range of kits worth considering are those from the Hobbyboss Easybuild range. They do some really simple but accurate modern little kits of aircraft such as the Spitfire, Hurricane, Heinkel He 162. They can be found in places like Modelzone, usually for under £5.00 each.
Here's one I built in the last year or so.
Hawker Hurricane
And here's on old Airfix clunker -
The MiG will probably in an all metal colour scheme. Such schemes are very hard to paint effectively with a brush. Even if you can't run to an airbrush at the moment, for all metal finishes I would use spray if at all possible. Check out the Halfords range of aerosoal acrylic metal finishes.
Another range of kits worth considering are those from the Hobbyboss Easybuild range. They do some really simple but accurate modern little kits of aircraft such as the Spitfire, Hurricane, Heinkel He 162. They can be found in places like Modelzone, usually for under £5.00 each.
Here's one I built in the last year or so.
Hawker Hurricane
And here's on old Airfix clunker -
VY Canis Majoris said:
After feeling nostalgic recently, mainly from watching James May's Toy Stories, I've decided to buy some Airfix. Now I do have a large tool box full of tools used to build a Westfield, however I assume they're not going to be the right size for the job in hand.
So my question is - Can anyone recommend a tool set specifically for making models?
Also if anyone has any recommendations of kits to start with. I've got some experience of Airfix, but being 20 now and not built one in at least 7 years I'd like to start small. Military aircraft is what I'd like to start with.
Thanks
VY
Re the starter toolkit, you might find this thread interesting. The OP (Paul) runs a model shop (little cars) and is thinking of putting a kit together. Top bloke, excellent service too.So my question is - Can anyone recommend a tool set specifically for making models?
Also if anyone has any recommendations of kits to start with. I've got some experience of Airfix, but being 20 now and not built one in at least 7 years I'd like to start small. Military aircraft is what I'd like to start with.
Thanks
VY
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showt...
Cheers
Evening all. Sorry I haven't replied till now, had my last exam so was busy with that.
Firstly, your Hawker Huricane looks brilliant Eric. As for painting I think I'll just start with brush then move onto spray. Also, thanks for the link dr_gn, makes for a good read.
I'm going to try pick up a Revel MiG 21, and get some tools and Monday. So I'll update during the 'build'. I'm quite looking forward to it now.
Firstly, your Hawker Huricane looks brilliant Eric. As for painting I think I'll just start with brush then move onto spray. Also, thanks for the link dr_gn, makes for a good read.
I'm going to try pick up a Revel MiG 21, and get some tools and Monday. So I'll update during the 'build'. I'm quite looking forward to it now.
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