Hi everyone, I feel pretty foolish with all these questions but I’ve noticed myself grasping for terms… like what do you call the plastic frame that all the pieces come attached to? I’ve also seen a bunch of acronyms/initialisms that I don’t recognize. Perhaps there is already a thread covering this for new-comers like myself, but if not I was wondering if you guys wouldn’t mind jotting down a few of the more common hobby terms that a noob probably wouldn’t know. I find myself asking “what are they talking about?” Quite a bit as I read through other threads and it’s not always obvious from the context.
Also, to post pics here on the forum do I need to upload them online first then post it via url?
First, Joe, welcome to the Forum, and I hope you enjoy your time here. No foolish questions, we all start somewhere. I must confess I was surprised to see we have no “frequently asked questions” or similar section to address questions like yours, but maybe we should start one.
The frames in model kits are commonly called runners (the old term, remembered by fogeys like myself) or, more commonly, sprues. Hence the terms you may see, “sprue-stretcher” or “stretched sprue,” referring to the very useful technique of taking a bit of left-over frame, heating it over a candle or similar heat source until it’s soft, and pulling the ends apart slowly to form rods, strings or threads of various thicknesses, which can be used for cables, antennae, and so on.
I won’t even try to address the acronyms question, since there are so many in general use, other than to mention one you’ll see often on modeling forums like this: LHS, which generally means “local hobby shop.” (Would that we all had one nearby–they’re a vanishing breed these days.)
Again, welcome aboard. Feel free to ask any questions that come to you–there’s a great group of folks here who are very friendly as well as very talented, all levels of experience, and most are happy to share the tricks they’ve picked up over the years. It’s a great hobby, and a pretty great time to be in it as well.
Hey Joe, as Greg Bale said, there are no stupid questions. After building since 1965 I still find I ask i.e. “What does IP mean” BTW (IP means Instrument Panel). The plastic thingies that hold the parts are also called “trees”. Anyway, here is a hyperlink to the Reference part of the forum which may help you out. If it works.
I seem to have missed that thread a swell. Now that’s a blast from the past. thanks for that Steve. Joe, to post pics you will need a hosting site such as photobucket.
Also, instead of talking i think it might be best to just shut up and listen for a while… check out other threads and learn. I should rename this thread “makin’ sense of the talk”
I’m still learning the “lingo” myself. So far I’m sure the frames that hold the parts is referred to as the “sprue” or “runners”. LHS is “local hobby shop”, IP is “instrument panel”, AB is “airbrush”, and WIP is “work in progress”. (correct me on the last one if not correct)