Getting into model building as a hobby...?

Question

I have the perfect area to set up a model building workspace. Before I get started though, I have some questions:

What should I start with? Cars,tanks,helicopters,ships,etc. What's easiest to begin with?

What are the best brands?

What tools will I need?

Is it an expensive hobby? :P

Other advice you could give me...

Answer 1

You will need a good hobby knife, some sandpaper, brushes, and a solid work surface. There are many model kits for beginners available in stores. Make sure you have very good ventilation. Some glues and paints have a strong smell to them and could cause dizziness. I would recommend that you get either some books or magazines to read first. It can be expensive, it depends on how serious you get. Building models requires a lot of patience. Don't be in a rush and read the instructions. I have put the instruction sheet under a pane of glass and built the model over it. This keeps the instructions clean.  

Answer 2

Start with whatever your most interested with.  Armor is possibly the easiest in the beginning and branch out form there.  As you develop your skills, you will eventually develop what we call AMS:  Advanced Modelers Syndrome, lol.

The best brands often depend on what you're building.  Not all subjects are available from each brand.  However, my favorites are generally Tamiya, Monogram, Hasegawa, Airfix, Trumpeter, Italieri, and Revell of germany.

Tools.  Get a good X-Acto starter kit.  Usually consists of three knife handles and assorted blades.  An airbrush and small compressor makes all the difference in the world for finishes.  Wet/Dry sandpaper of various grits.  Good sable brushes from size 00000 to about 1.  Tweezers, toothpicks, old dental tools are great for spreading putty, rubber bands, drafting tape, and there will be a lot more as yo go along.

It can be very expensive.  It all depends on how deeply you get into it.

I would recommend the following magazines or organizations to look into.:

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/

http://www.micromark.com/

http://www.scaleautomag.com/sca/default....

http://www.ipmsusa.org/

Answer 3

Yikes, 4 questions in ONE !! I'll put them out of order...

Needed Tools: X-acto (hobby) knife, Sanding sticks (buy at a beauty-shop in the nails section, they're cheaper than hobby-sanding sticks), a small cutting board (teflon kitchen type), GOOD brushes, paints, and thinner, plastic cement (Testors), and putty (Squadron).

Starting Kits:  Pick something YOU like !! To me, tanks are the simplest to start with... they're squarish, minor mistakes can be hidden, and they sit well on a shelf.  Ship models are often fit together poorly, and then look alittle "OFF" without purchasing expensive after-market railings and antennae.  Jet Aircraft are also simple. I'm not into building cars.  Helicopters are my FAVORITE (I'm an ex-crewman), but the rotors can cause storage problems.

BEST Brands and Expense:  YES it can be VERY expensive: I built a USS Enterprise (CVN-63) that cost me $190 for the kit, $75 for the extra aircraft to model the correct air-wing, $200 for the etch-brass details, and 3000 man-hours of work.

I've also bought quick Monogram or Tamiya kits for $15-25, built them straight from the box, and been quite pleased.

My FAVORITE brands are Tamiya (tanks, figures, ships, aircraft), Monogram / Revell of America (some aircraft), MRC (for my large helicopters... I modify their 1/35 Blackhawks back to Seahawks), Trumpeter (ships), Dragon (ships but require work to fix poor-fit), and Hasagawa (US Naval Aircraft).

OH YES... a previous answer had a GREAT hint... buy Fine Scale Modeller magazine at your hobby shop... you'll find great ideas, tips, and lessons there.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

  I've been building for 40 years, and have models in museums in the area, so I can help a bit here.  Find a subject you like and find a beginners kit. Revell, Airfix, and others make these, they include the glue, paint, knife, all the basics, if not the best stuff the build your kit. It will get you started.  Testors Has a few starters that have some paint, but not all supplies, other kits have all you need.  The Airfix co. in the UK, just came out with the Doctor Who Welcome Onboard Kit, it has the TARDIS, the Doctor, and Martha, glue, knife, paint, like paint by number, water based, real cool, and three of the best paint brushes to ever come from a box. It cost a bit, but I'm State side and they all cost a bit more here. These starter kits will save you money in the long run and get you going faster. If you find a kit you must start with that does not have a starter kit, Testors makes a starter set, with all the goodies to make a model, plus paint sets for the type of model. Air, Space, Armor. ETC.... You can get these at a local hobby shop or on-line.   For a good kit size I like 1/48, it is large to detail and small to store,