What do you guys think? [:D]
I believe the most important tool in modeling is imagination. With that, you can save a lot of money. My two cents.
Richard
There are lots of cheaper options for tools
• steal them from your dentist or surgeon
• shop the hardware stores rather than Hooby Shops
• “borrow” them from hobbist friends 
Absolutely not!
Oh, it can make modeling easier and obviously allows a modeler to purchase whatever kits and supplies they need, but it does NOT build the models.
I agree with Richard, 100%! The most important tool in model building is imagination!
Enjoy your modeling…
It would be nice to know some techniques that you guys used to save money, mixing paints watever… yah know like the blood guts of your teniques, if you guys don’t mind sharing… [dinner]
Depends…
Look over at the group build forums… there’s a GB now that is called “Budget Modelling”… some of us are in it… build the best kit you can for $25.00. That has to include paint, brushes, glue, etc…
Browse through the techniques forums as well… or search for the specific technique you’re looking for. I pay close to $1000 a month for child support, so I am definitely not one of the “affluent” modellers, if there is such a term. I agree with Rich also, in that your imagination can save you $$… If you have a local hobby shop (LHS) nearby, look for closeouts and clearance items. Just because a kit is a few years old, doesn’t mean that it’s bad…
Anyways, that’s my suggestions. I just got back into this a couple of months ago after being out for about 15 years, so it’s taking some time to learn the ropes again. One thing I will echo from previous replies - look at the hardware store or Radio Shack for tools instead of the LHS. I found a $4 pair of sprue cutters that work just as well as the $10-$15 ones…
ouch…
money’s a necesary evil…
a means to an end…
a convenience…
the most important modelling tools are all of us, albiet casual or comitted,
who are not so easily contented by the last project…
I like that saying… I don’t know if you just made it up but that was nice cirikilli
“the most important modelling tools are all of us, albiet casual or comitted,
who are not so easily contented by the last project…”
I will have to remember that=)
Heheheh I am in the middle of pulling all my carpet up in the middle of a 12x10 room, one part of which is going to hold my model trainset [:I], and the other my little model workshop… but its a room all to myself… I am even thinking about getting an apartment sized refrigerator [}:)] … heheheh
I say the most important “tool” is patience! [:D]
Mike
The hobby can get expensive, especially if you buy all the latest kit releases, but most hobbies are. I think the most important tool in hobby building is that roundish thing sitting on top of your neck [:)].
Regards, Rick
heheh, I think the underlying factor no matter what you do is money, you need a house to display your product…
I would say time, which is very important, and patience.
I’d say that a desire to improve and try new things is an important tool in this hobby. There’s no such thing as too much money, but time, patience and a love for what you’re doing will make up for any shortfalls you may encounter on the financial side.
Of course, your mileage may vary…
I believe that TAG_LK said it first … but, my thoughts on this thread … my [2c] works out to be: … TIME … time is the most important tool in hobby building … without the time to build at your own pace … your own comfort level … the results just aren’t going to be there … [swg]
Hmmmm…well I scratchbuild a lot and I get my styrene and acrylic stock for free. I’ve spent, maybe a nickle on my current project.
You can buy a quart of MEK at Home Depot for about $4 and it is a great glue. The same active ingredient as Tenax-7.
Bondo putty from the auto dept of Walmart is dirt cheap and makes a great filler for modeling.
Go to dollar stores and discount stores like Big Lots on a regular basis. You never know what great modeling tool you’ll run across. Last time I was at Big Lots I found a Dremel style circular saw and manderal set for…a dollar!
Yes I know Woody is a cheap skate! [:p]
Another good filler is Elmers Wood filler. Search garage sales, flea markets and the like for all sorts of “stuff” (including trash - people throw away the most amazing array of stuff that can be useful)
Shop in places that are not normally considered “normal” for hobbiests ie: discount stores, salvation army (or similar), hardware store, super markets and art stores.
Paints: Paint by number kits are good for 1 or 2 projects.
Acrylics and oils: Buy the tubes, learn to mix out of a basic pallette of color and thin accordingly for brush or A/B with the appropriate thinning agaent. Tubes will last a heck of alot longer than bottles.
Most importantly (as previously mentioned): Time, patience, and imagination are your most important tools. Skill and everything else comes with practice.
I would also have to say if ya spent a bit more up front on the core tools you have to do this with, everything else will be cheaper. Spend your money on your ab, compressor and essentials like glue putty knives and core paints. Everything else after that is in smaller does and easier to manage. It’s always the most expensive when you are starting out and have nothing. Thats what I had, a month later and 400 bucks I had all my core equipment, and good stuff to didnt chince out on it, I was up and running. Everything else now is resupply which is always cheaper and upgrading as I see fit and can afford. Its good when you use your head from the beginning.
-Jeff
There’s no question that this can be an expensive hobby.
But it doesn’t necessarily need to be.
Scratchbuilding skills WILL improve (for most people) with a good set of precision tools.
But that’s not always the case. I know a guy with a garage full of Snap-On tools, and he doesn’t know which end of a screwdriver to hold onto. Go figure.
Imagination, tenacity, physical skill, and creativity are the four most important ingredients for a quality build - and the whole mess is helped along nicely with a good set of tools. Ask any engineer.
You don’t need to go and spend twice as much as the purchase price of a kit for all the aftermarket goodies to make a nice model that you can be proud of - sure, it’s nice to have all that stuff, but it’s also nice to do it yourself.
Heres my [2c] . The most important tool is the love of the game
James