Essentials for kit building.

[vortexx]

I recently got back into model kits. I wanted to have a fresh start so I'm buying everything new. (like airbrushes, paint sets tools, etc) I'm getting an infinity airbrush as I tried one and really happy with the results.

What would be the your favorite putty to use on models?

I need some advice about what you think is necessary (or not necessary) for things that I should have in my collection.

[AZ]

Excellent choice for an airbrush. I asked for and got one as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago. I love mine. It is a big improvement over the siphon feed airbrush I had been using.

As for putty, most folks seem to use Aves. I bought some Aves Apoxie Sculpt Super White and have been happy with the results. For filling minor pin holes, etc., I use Bondo brand glazing and spot putty available at auto parts stores like Pep Boys. It seems to work much better for me than Squadron putty.

Other essentials:
- spray booth - there are a number of threads about booths, you can do a search.
- Optivisor - magnifier that fits on your head and works well even if you wear glasses
- good lighting source
- good quality needle files of various shapes
- pin vise and drills
- rotary tool and bits. I bought the LASCO Kitbuilders set with 3/32" shanks. I have a Dremel, but prefer the low speed and better control provided by an old belt-driven dental bench drill which accepts 3/32" bits. (a recommendation I picked up here in the Clubhouse)
- safety protection (dusk masks, safety glasses, etc.)

There are other items, but I'll stop here and let other members chime in.

[Nalissa2]

You should also get different grades of sandpaper.
A pair of sprue cutters. The ones with the flat nose, not the rounded ones.

Maybe a couple of dental tools to manipulate the putty into armpits and other tight spaces.

Silly putty (for masking)

[vortexx]

So far I'm doing pretty well. Among the major items that I haven't yet bought is the paint booth. I'm probably going to get one with 2 fans. I wonder if that would be powerful enough to suck the resin dust too?

I never really used pins before but I will be using them now. I recall a bad experience with a model that I hadn't pinned and how much trouble I had getting 2 of the parts to stay together. I recall that whatever I was using for glue ended up melting some of the plastic. Are there specially made pins or do you just cut some strong wire to use as a pin?

I never tried the pastel method, but I think I'm going to try it now. I have a great set of Rembrandt chalk pastels that I haven't used much.

I have a huge set of various dremmel type bits as well as a dremmel-type tool. so I have that covered. I bought them a while back at a store that was selling them for 75% off.

I never knew about the silly putty. That's a great idea. I ordered some liquid Frisket anyway but now I can use either or.

I have a couple of grades of superglue, and debonder. I might get a kicker (or whatever it was called) to make the superglue dry faster. I used to use Zap-a-Gap but it's become harder to get it here in Canada for some reason.

I bought a box of those tiny Testors brushes and I have a nice collection of brushes but I may need to get more sizes.

I have some really fine sandpaper that is so fine that it can give you a gloss finish that I use when I work on some guitars that need touch-ups but I need to get more types.

I do need the glass magnifiers. I used to have better eyesight than most people for doing close-up work and reading tiny lettering. My close up eyesight is not as good as it used to be anymore.

Anyway, things are coming along nicely. I can't wait until I can get started though

[vortexx]

Those dental drills are fantastic. I used to know a guy who did special effects for movies and he had one.

[Division_6]

I'd suggest a wire brush to clean your files, even works on sand paper.
Another thing useful for masking in liquid latex mold builder.
Lot's of exacto blades, you can get a box of 100 for about $12-$14 at most hardware stores.

Something extra would be David Fishers Model Mania DVD's.

[Stormheart]

Without a doubt, I would recommend one of Filmy's electric toothbrush, rotary sanders. It will save you hours of labor!

[Jeff T]

AZ mentioned the Bondo glazing and spot putty above. I also found that I like it better than Squadron -- doesn't crumble as easily, and you can even smooth it on the surface over a bubble hole or crack with your fingers to get it fairly level before going over it with very fine sandpaper to finish the leveling. It may make it easier to avoid inadvertently sanding any surrounding fine detail that way because there would be less sanding needed in general. I use the "one part" air-dry Bondo putty. It's relatively inexpensive, too.

[vortexx]

I'd suggest a wire brush to clean your files, even works on sand paper.
Another thing useful for masking in liquid latex mold builder.
Lot's of exacto blades, you can get a box of 100 for about $12-$14 at most hardware stores.

Something extra would be David Fishers Model Mania DVD's.

Funny that you should mention the DVDs as they arrived the same day as you posted. I'm going to watch them tomorrow (hopefully people at home won't keep distracting me like they did today).

I happen to have a couple of jars of liquid latex that I just need to check if they haven't gone bad because I bought them so long ago. Isn't liquid Frisket another form of liquid latex?

Some great ideas mentioned by everyone!

One thing I forgot to get was primer paint(s). I know that you can use some easily obtainable primers but I'm wondering if some of the specialty ones may be better for kits?

Thanks everyone for all the help. Once I get everything together, I'll try to post a list of everything I picked up as it might be handy for someone else getting back into models like me or perhaps someone new to model kits.

[vortexx]

I just looked up "Filmy's electric toothbrush" on the board here and love the idea. It just so happens that I have a Colgate motion toothbrush which I bought for myself but didn't enjoy using it as it made my gums a bit sore (I rarely throw out anything - I even have a Bionic Woman electric toothbrush that someone bought me when I was a kid). Anyway this colgate brush has 2 rotating scrubbers so I'll be doing the Filmy mod on it.

[Glusniffer]

3m blue painters tape for masking, and 3M angled sanding sponges. Available @ Lowes or Home Depot. The sponges beat sandpaper every time and last longer.

[vortexx]

What do you guys use for pins? I never used pins before.

[Glusniffer]

I like drywall screws. Just break the heads off. I use gorilla glu to pin and it xpands around the threads for a good grip.

[LOBOREX]

(Essentials for kit building.) A very understanding mate.

[jps3404]

I use brass rod for pinning, or an old metal coat hanger from the dry cleaners cut into smaller pieces.

As for primers, I swear by Tamiya for highly detailed, smaller scale kits. It lays down so smooth, and won't obliterate detail.

[vortexx]

Great ideas for the pins!

My infinity airbrush just came in. I still need to gather a few more things before I use it though. I ended up also buying some extra tips, a moisture blocker, and a part that allows more fine tuning. It really feels great in my hands which is more than I could say about my older airbrushes.

I also picked up a cheap set of 6 airbrushes for spaying unusual things that might clog the infinity. Airbrushes have come down in price in the last few years because they are very popular with the people who paint designs on fingernails, do temporary tattoos, and even cake decorations.

[I am a dork]

If you haven't already get a compressor for the airbrush. It makes life sooooooooo much easier!

Other than that get well aquatinted with your local art stores. Getting on their mailing lists for sales and such can save you a bundle of money.

And one more thing, for masking off a kit silly putty also works really well with out lifting any paint that you've already laid down.

Brian

[Glusniffer]

Other than that get well aquatinted with your local art stores. Getting on their mailing lists for sales and such can save you a bundle of money.


Brian

Great advise. As I'm way into additions, I find all kindsa goodies like miniature doll house stuff and scale animals. Your local pet store has lotsa aquarium toys like plants and some great stuff for bases, or a base itself.