General advice for a returnee please

[Guest]

Hi all,

A couple of genral questions.

1) General advice on startup tools, the basic essentials. (I'm an electrician so my definition of fine work is using a 1/2lb hammer and chisel rather than a Kango)

2) recomendations on paint brands ( If I recall rightly 20 odd years ago I used acryllics, possibly airfix)

3) Information on brushes, types and the best sizes to start of with.

Ahd lastly a good online shop that delivers to Menorca without the need to take out a mortgage for postage and that will post paints, glues etc. (Most places I've found in Spain are nearly double the price of English shops and the posatge from the mainland to Menorca is often more expensive than shipping from england to Spain)

Bit of a list I know but all help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Bob

[Guest]

Hi Bob, just to add my two pennysworth, as for paints I use a mixture of Tamiya acryllics, Games workshop, Xtra color, and Alclad 11 for the metallics, it`s down to if you prefer acryllics or enamel ( humbrol ) I use sable synthetic brushes from 0000 and upwards, plus Airbrush, which I use vallejo, try John`s shop, I haven`t yet but will be soon. As to your choice of tools I can`t see anything wrong with them? saves a breakdown. Gareth.

[AlanG]

Paint that i use - Enamel = Humbrol, Acrylics = Tamiya, Vallejo, Xtracrylic and Humbrol

Tools - Scalpel (i have a selection of different blades), electrician wire snips, toothpicks, scriber, nail file (3 different grades on one stick), tweezers and pin vice drill set (drills from 0.03mm to 1.6mm)

Brushes - I use Royal soft grip brushes. Loads of different sizes

[Guest]

Hiya Bob, good set of questions my friend and so here we go with my input.

1) Basic start up tools: i would say the following,

a couple of pairs of tweezers straight and the curved type for getting into tight ares (i try not to use one's that have the serated ends as these can damage the tiny bits your holding!), a medium sized cutting matt, a good quality art type knife with spare blades, a good pair of sprue cutters, an assortment of sanding sticks, glue, possibly some clamps for holding pieces together while glueing, old small containers for mixing paints etc, like old 35mm film canisters, paint brushes assorted (will come onto these), these are the very basics that will be able to get you up and going.

2) Paint brands: Blimy there are so many now and much will depend on trial and error.....personally i hate using enamls and try whenever i can to only use acrylics. I like Tamiya and i like Vallejio (not sure if spelling is correct), i also use a range from Ganes Workshop. Ialso have the odd Humbrol. Spray wise i use Humbrol and Halfords as well as Tamiya for primmer, all are good i do really like the Tamiya fine if im after a perfect finish on something like a car or motorbike. For gloss top coats again ive used Humbrol, Tamiya and Halfords all are very good, just bear in mind Halfords paints in metalic finish is for the real size cars, so sometimes the pigments can to big and out of scale on a model.

3) Brushes: I only use brushes at the moment as i have not got an airbrush (that will change soon). Believe me though the finish you can get with a brush is outstanding on most models so dont think you need to rush out and get an airbrush. I would say that a selection of good quality brushes is essential. i use a mixture of synthetic and pure sable depending on what im painting, much will depend on your subject that you are painting also, but as a basic guide i use Winsor and Newton . The size's i use range from 0000 upto size 4 . I have paid £3.99 for a size 4 and £1.99 for a 0000 brush which some might think is mad BUT they will last a very long time with care and i find the 0000 invaluable in my 1/48th scale figure painting. Also bear in mind different shapes of brushes, i use both flat and rounded.

4) A good on line shop: well depends what you are after, John on here is very good at getting hold of pretty much most if not all of what you will be after, what his rates are for sending over seas you will have to check with him. Before coming on here in the past ive used the likes of Wonderland Models, E Models, Hannats, the list goes on and on.

Just to add to the above Bob, can i just say a very well done for going into this the RIGHT way, things have changed beyond belief in the modelling world while i was away for over 30 years, by coming on here and asking questions like you are you will i am sure avoid some of the pitfalls i had suffered. Just always remember this is a hobby that is FUN, dont get bogged down in all the technical side til you are ready, and keep the questions coming, we will all do all we can to encourage and help....now enough from me im off to make a coffee, all the best mate, regards Martin :-)

[Guest]

Many thanks for all the replies,

alot of useful info. I am now waiting to take delivery of Tamiya 1/35 scale SAS Jeep & Pink Panther and a Daimler MK1 Scout Car (The last models I remember making)

While waiting will ponder the above.

Once again Many Thanks.

Bob

[Guest]

Very nice choice of kits to get started with Bob, looking forward to watching the builds, Martin :-)