How to build models.
Created | Updated Sep 25, 2003
This entry aims to introduce interested people to modeling. I decided to write it when I saw there was no current entry.
Introduction:
What are models? Well, models are miniture replicas of vehicles, suchs as cars, aeroplanes, military machines or even science-fiction subjucts. There are also miniture scenes from history or fiction, called 'dioramas' and even models of people (figures) and dionosaurs and monsters. It's a very broad hobby. This guide will focus on building models of vehicles, because this is the core element of the hobby.
Getting started:
If you've never built a model before, chose an easy subject to begin with. You want a good- quaility kit with a good 'fit' (the joining and alignment of parts) and a low number of parts. I would reccomend areplane kits for beginners.
Your first model should be a smallish kit, either 1/72 or 1/48 scale. For first timers it is inportant to choose a good quality kit. If you want to see the parts, take the kit up to the counter and they will let you look inside the box.'Tamiya' produces the best kits by a long shot.
You will need:
>The kit.
>a small pair of sharp-point tweezers
>a scalpel or small hobby knife.
>plastic model cement
>a few paintbrushes, small and one large one.
>fine-grade sandpaper
>patience.
You will also need paint. There are two types, enamel and acyrilic. They come in small bottles. most modelers prefer Enamel. Acrylic is water-based so can be thinned with water (enamel must be thinned with turpentine) but is very hard to use properly. Use enamel.
the kit will have a list of paints with it. Make sure you have all of them. Remember, when buyindg piants and tools, you get what you pay for.
Putting it together:
Work in a clean, well-lit space. Make sure your kids or pets won't interfere with your stuff.
Read the instructions througly before starting. The parts will be molded on to a sprue of plastic, so cut each part off carefully when you need it. It is often best to paint very small parts on the sprue.
Paint the parts as you assemble the model. The instructions will tell you what color they are.
Take yoyr time and keep the parts neat and tidy, Use the glue sparingly.
Mix the paints well and paint with as few brushstrokes as possible.
The instuctions will tell you the rest.
Remember, these models are delicate so NEVER force anything to fit, just be careful and take your time. Do't be discouraged by mistakes, even experts with years of experience make mistakes of all size.
If you like modeling, you may want to join a club. There you'll find lots of other modelers and a chance to show you finshed work, which is a much more enjoyable way to go about your hobby than modeling in the wilderness. Never be ashamed of your skill, no-one will ever tell you it's really bad.
In fact, a lot of people will be inpressed by your finshed models.
Don't get discouraded if you see that other peoples work is better than yours, because each thing you build is a work of art and getting really good takes time. Keep at it and before you know it you'll be an expert.
Introduction:
What are models? Well, models are miniture replicas of vehicles, suchs as cars, aeroplanes, military machines or even science-fiction subjucts. There are also miniture scenes from history or fiction, called 'dioramas' and even models of people (figures) and dionosaurs and monsters. It's a very broad hobby. This guide will focus on building models of vehicles, because this is the core element of the hobby.
Getting started:
If you've never built a model before, chose an easy subject to begin with. You want a good- quaility kit with a good 'fit' (the joining and alignment of parts) and a low number of parts. I would reccomend areplane kits for beginners.
Your first model should be a smallish kit, either 1/72 or 1/48 scale. For first timers it is inportant to choose a good quality kit. If you want to see the parts, take the kit up to the counter and they will let you look inside the box.'Tamiya' produces the best kits by a long shot.
You will need:
>The kit.
>a small pair of sharp-point tweezers
>a scalpel or small hobby knife.
>plastic model cement
>a few paintbrushes, small and one large one.
>fine-grade sandpaper
>patience.
You will also need paint. There are two types, enamel and acyrilic. They come in small bottles. most modelers prefer Enamel. Acrylic is water-based so can be thinned with water (enamel must be thinned with turpentine) but is very hard to use properly. Use enamel.
the kit will have a list of paints with it. Make sure you have all of them. Remember, when buyindg piants and tools, you get what you pay for.
Putting it together:
Work in a clean, well-lit space. Make sure your kids or pets won't interfere with your stuff.
Read the instructions througly before starting. The parts will be molded on to a sprue of plastic, so cut each part off carefully when you need it. It is often best to paint very small parts on the sprue.
Paint the parts as you assemble the model. The instructions will tell you what color they are.
Take yoyr time and keep the parts neat and tidy, Use the glue sparingly.
Mix the paints well and paint with as few brushstrokes as possible.
The instuctions will tell you the rest.
Remember, these models are delicate so NEVER force anything to fit, just be careful and take your time. Do't be discouraged by mistakes, even experts with years of experience make mistakes of all size.
If you like modeling, you may want to join a club. There you'll find lots of other modelers and a chance to show you finshed work, which is a much more enjoyable way to go about your hobby than modeling in the wilderness. Never be ashamed of your skill, no-one will ever tell you it's really bad.
In fact, a lot of people will be inpressed by your finshed models.
Don't get discouraded if you see that other peoples work is better than yours, because each thing you build is a work of art and getting really good takes time. Keep at it and before you know it you'll be an expert.
