I’m close to retirement and looking to get back to my roots of model making from my youth.
I’m seeking advice on the tools (cutting, file, sanding, etc.), paint (air and brush), glue types, work bench, stands, small paint booths, magnifiers, etc.
Also looking for quality models and sources. I’m located in the US but don’t care where the kits/models come from so long as they are of excellent quality. I’ve saved well over the decades so cost of tools/models is not a concern.
I’m primarily interested in plastic models but also would like to test out my skills with metal models (or combination). I’m not into RC just the model building and painting aspect.
Any specific genre of plastic models you’re interested in (planes, trains, autos, armor, sci-fi, etc.)? Sometimes display llimitations are a concern, so any particular scale?
Hey welcome. There are probably a million opinions out there on this kinda stuff. To keep it general, but also easy because i keep it easy for myself too, i pretty much just get all my tools from Tamiya including my airbrush. They are expensive, but all of their tools have been top quality, nothing has ever broken for years and years and nothing they hage made has let me down. Their brushes are really nice too and they offer really cheap to really expensive brushed.
I acquired everything i have over the years of course because again its expensive, but i doubt ill have to replace most of it.
The only thing I dont buy tool wise from Tamiya is their sanding materials. The ammo by mig tapered sanding sticks that come in a multi pack are by far my favorite. Every other sanding medium ive used is sub par and doesn’t last. I used the same set of their sanding sticks for maybe 3 or 4 years building 20 models a year.
As for the tamiya tools, check ebay and the tamiya site for prices. Ebay saved me some money on some of it but some things are overpriced.
I know its really general but again, its maybe the
Simplest answer youll get
How safe is modeling these days (glue, thinners, paints, etc.) … back in my youth (several decades ago) some of the modeling glues were pretty potent. Had to take frequent breaks to stop from getting dizzy or eyes watering.
Most paint companies have switched to acrylic water-based paints. However, even if it says it’s ‘acrylic’, it may still use an additive (i.e. enamel, lacquer) for the carrier. For example, Tamyia paints are technically an acrylic/enamel. A spray booth and/or mask should be considered.
A far as glues/adhesives are concerned, definitely use in a well-ventilated area. Long gone are the orange Testors tubes and most glues are now in liquid form. They’re pretty ‘hot’ and dissolve/weld the plastic together. As such, they evaporate quickly.
I like the leveling thinner quite a bit for Mr Color paints, but I’ve been thinning Tamiya with isopropyl alcohol (70%).
Also I’ve found these nippers great for cutting small parts off the tree.
Also, Tamiya extra thin cement is just awesome.
I’m sure you’ll get a lot of great suggestions and pick and choose what you like.
