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Plastic Scale Modeling Age |OT| Planes, tanks, cars, sci-fi & more

I've somehow collected like 5-6 kits over the last few weeks but they were all super discounted so I couldn't say no.

I love when that happens.
 
Does anyone have tips on mixing Vallejo paints in the bottle? I picked up a few model color paints that seem to have seperated themselves while on the shelf and no matter how much I try to shake the bottle there are still bits in the bottle that aren't coming together.

I just mix paints straight in the airbrush. I try remember the ratios in case I need it again. :p

I've somehow collected like 5-6 kits over the last few weeks but they were all super discounted so I couldn't say no.

I love when that happens.

Yeah it's nice having a selection building up, but man I've been trying so hard not to end up like those people who just buy model kits and never make them. I've still got a backlog but it's not too bad.
 
I really need to halt my kits until I can pick up an airbrush. I've been using aerosol spray cans of model master and others but I would much rather shoot acrylic with an airbrush.
 
I really need to halt my kits until I can pick up an airbrush. I've been using aerosol spray cans of model master and others but I would much rather shoot acrylic with an airbrush.

At worst Amazon has some extremely cheap ones which work well enough.

Well just blew a load of money on a bunch of 1/100 tanks and decal sheets.
first order of business shall be
IMG_1478_large.JPG


1/100 has definitely become my favorite scale.
I used to be "bigger is better" however now that I have settled on just about the smallest scale human figures remain relevant its amazing how much stuff can go together and seriously take up like no room.
Not only can you have a fleet of vehicles together, you can have a huge base no bigger than a tv tray. Heck the full 1/100 Batcave im building including every vehicle will probably be half that size.
 

Cerity

Member
I still can't imagine doing models at that scale lol, I find cleaning up smaller bits and pieces on some larger kits already frustrating enough at times. But I can see the appeal though, being able to set up entire scenes in a shoe box would be cool as heck.

Putting together a Tamiya 1/35 M41 Walker Bulldog atm, I find it really impressive that they're still using the manual from 1973 (?). I also love that they still haven't even updated it to reference the colour codes of their paint range, they're still just listing the names of the colours lol.

I really need to halt my kits until I can pick up an airbrush. I've been using aerosol spray cans of model master and others but I would much rather shoot acrylic with an airbrush.

I had a cheap setup (<$100 for both compressor and airbrush) that did the job pretty well before I stopped. I wasn't doing super fine detail work with it but what can you expect at that price point lol.

I've got another one on the way as the compressor seems to have died since and the airbrush is now clogged up.
 

Yarbskoo

Member
I finished assembling the Kotobukiya Xenoblade X Skell, but I feel pretty dumb posting it in the same thread as all these beautifully painted models, especially those Star Wars and Star Trek ones.

MxoV5Zd.png
CwIbAZc.png
DgedzE7.png
Hy6joIW.png


Maybe someday I'll make it pretty, but for now I've got to figure out just where the hell I'm going to put it. I have no idea how you guys find room for those aircraft carriers and Enterprises.
 

NEO0MJ

Member
I finished assembling the Kotobukiya Xenoblade X Skell, but I feel pretty dumb posting it in the same thread as all these beautifully painted models, especially those Star Wars and Star Trek ones.

Don't compare yourself to lastplayed, the guy's a genius model painter. Just consider the amazing stuff something to aspire to.
 
Maybe someday I'll make it pretty, but for now I've got to figure out just where the hell I'm going to put it. I have no idea how you guys find room for those aircraft carriers and Enterprises.

Looks pretty sweet to me! And yeah, space is actually my biggest issue. I'd love to build more ships and large kits, I just don't have anywhere to put them. I've considered building kits to sell on, but not sure if there's any demand for that sort of thing in my area.

Don't compare yourself to lastplayed, the guy's a genius model painter. Just consider the amazing stuff something to aspire to.

Thanks man, although I've only been doing this since early last year and still have a lot to learn, but you know one thing I've found about the community is that it's been super positive and encouraging, at all skill levels. It's quite refreshing coming from the gaming community. :p

Just watching YouTube videos is pretty much how I learned everything, then just picked up an airbrush and went for it. I've screwed up a lot of models (which is what you don't see), but most of it isn't as hard as it looks.
 
I've somehow collected like 5-6 kits over the last few weeks but they were all super discounted so I couldn't say no.

I love when that happens.

Yeah. I was visiting Tokyo back in May, and Volks was doing a great sale. I grabbed a $60 lucky bag and it contained some crazy expensive items like Metal Gear Sahelanthropus (fucking $100 on Amazon) + a Knight of Sidonia mech + 3 star wars models from Bandai. Insane deal.

I finished assembling the Kotobukiya Xenoblade X Skell, but I feel pretty dumb posting it in the same thread as all these beautifully painted models, especially those Star Wars and Star Trek ones.

Maybe someday I'll make it pretty, but for now I've got to figure out just where the hell I'm going to put it. I have no idea how you guys find room for those aircraft carriers and Enterprises.

Beautiful even though it is not painted. I really want to get one to support Kotobukiya for developing the XCX product line.
 

Baraka in the White House

2-Terms of Kombat
On a whim I bought what appeared to be a "starter set" of Warhammer 40k figures to paint. I've been itching to do something artsy ever since I saw the new hobby thread and came across a few Warhammer painters/players. Although I don't have much interest in the game itself, I can say that assembling and painting the game pieces is like crack.

Here's how my first three space marines turned out.

OWGu1xg.jpg


I know I ain't shit compared to some of the pros out there but I think I did good considering how green I am at painting, well, anything. The hobby is definitely addicting though; in about the span of a month I went from zero to a desk full of brushes, paints, magnifying lenses, and model tools. Now I have the larger Adeptus Astartes beginner army and a devestator squad to assemble and paint next.
 

Cerity

Member
Nice job, I remember I had so much trouble even keeping in the lines with the brush as a kid, I ended up giving up on them and going with necrons, black base coat, dry brush a bit of gunmetal and you're good to go :p. Look into washing for them, it'll really help details pop.
 

NEO0MJ

Member
Just watching YouTube videos is pretty much how I learned everything, then just picked up an airbrush and went for it. I've screwed up a lot of models (which is what you don't see), but most of it isn't as hard as it looks.

I'm still frozen by fear whenever I try to paint a model. I'm so afraid of messing up. That fancy Iwata airbrush and air compressor are for nothing ( ._.)
 
I'm still frozen by fear whenever I try to paint a model. I'm so afraid of messing up. That fancy Iwata airbrush and air compressor are for nothing ( ._.)

I was like you.. I could put them together really well. to the point where not much sanding or filler was needed but I was so scared of finishing, I had tons of models in grey. lol

I eventually just said F it and started painting, I ruined so many models. However I learned so much. I started buying cheap models anywhere I could find them. Thrift stores, sales etc.

now I can finish it with primer and my spray cans and they looks really really good. it just takes practice. Each model is a learning experience.

I plan on doing the same thing with some old models when I get my airbrush.
 
I'm still frozen by fear whenever I try to paint a model. I'm so afraid of messing up. That fancy Iwata airbrush and air compressor are for nothing ( ._.)

I was like you.. I could put them together really well. to the point where not much sanding or filler was needed but I was so scared of finishing, I had tons of models in grey. lol

I eventually just said F it and started painting, I ruined so many models. However I learned so much. I started buying cheap models anywhere I could find them. Thrift stores, sales etc.

now I can finish it with primer and my spray cans and they looks really really good. it just takes practice. Each model is a learning experience.

I plan on doing the same thing with some old models when I get my airbrush.

Yeah, you've just got to start. You will screw up, a lot, but each time you learn what not to do, what paints not to use, and eventually you'll end up with good results. And your next model will always be the best one, you'll never stop improving and learning. Otherwise what's the point? :p

I could point out a list of flaws in all my models until I demotivate myself entirely, but sometimes you've just got to be happy with what you've achieved and move on.
 
I'm still frozen by fear whenever I try to paint a model. I'm so afraid of messing up. That fancy Iwata airbrush and air compressor are for nothing ( ._.)

I started out offering others way too much to paint stuff for me,
one night I didn't have anything to do and started working on a custom action figure and tried painting it myself.
After a great amount of time and complete startovers I eventually got it to a level where someone actually offered to buy it from me.

Soon I was selling customs like crazy however I was always scared to paint human skin and faces or camouflage.
Eventually after trying time after time with those im at a level I feel comfortable with.

It just takes time and honestly its hard to paint something badly(besides faces for example)
The greatness in paint jobs mostly comes from the secondary touches which aren't always required but also very easy to learn and practice separately(drybrush/washes).
 

Cerity

Member
Man, kit shopping is so addictive lol. Haven't even finished any of my other kits yet and I've just picked up a 1/72 king tiger, 1/72 focke-wulf, 1/800 eisenhower and a 1/35 M50A1 Ontos. Super keen to start the Eisenhower but gotta get used to new AB first.

Already eyeing the Bandai One Piece kits, can't wait to have the MG Going merry and thousand sunny. I also want a 1/48 Corsair, a bunch of the japanese WW2 seaplanes and some of the WWI planes too!
 

4444244

Member
Anyone else picked up the 1/12th scale SEGA Astro City kit by wave?

No Glue required and it goes together nicely. You can touch up a few areas with paint, but it looks alright with just the stickers. I love the fact that you also get a clone of the famous arcade ash tray too (too small for a SEGA logo though).

The only areas that I suppose need some paint are the mouldings for the button sets, as these are supplied in 1 piece that is in one colour only, so you should really paint between the buttons

It comes with a few arrangements for the control panel, with a second panel piece supplied, along with some art to decorate the marquee and to sit in the screen, although I ended up 'tating the screen bezel and using my own art to show a shooting game (Ibara).

And yes, before you ask, someone has already managed to fit a small screen inside their kit (not mine) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4tJBLgSczo

One small question for you modellers, what is the best way for dealing with 'burr' or whatever you call it, when you cut plastic pieces of the sprue? I used small craft knife to slice the knobby bits off, I was reluctant to use any glass paper, but I am still not happy with being able to see little lumps at various points.

Anyway, here's the little model;

HXuCHtf.jpg


Maybe I'll take a pic of the model on my real life Astro as well.

Link to some places you can get this (apart from eBay;

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail?gcode=TOY-SCL2-59192&page=top
https://hlj.com/product/WAVGM-017
https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figure...tro-city-arcade-game-machine-sega-titles.html
 
Anyone else picked up the 1/12th scale SEGA Astro City kit by wave?

No Glue required and it goes together nicely. You can touch up a few areas with paint, but it looks alright with just the stickers. I love the fact that you also get a clone of the famous arcade ash tray too (too small for a SEGA logo though).

The only areas that I suppose need some paint are the mouldings for the button sets, as these are supplied in 1 piece that is in one colour only, so you should really paint between the buttons

It comes with a few arrangements for the control panel, with a second panel piece supplied, along with some art to decorate the marquee and to sit in the screen, although I ended up 'tating the screen bezel and using my own art to show a shooting game (Ibara).

And yes, before you ask, someone has already managed to fit a small screen inside their kit (not mine) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4tJBLgSczo

One small question for you modellers, what is the best way for dealing with 'burr' or whatever you call it, when you cut plastic pieces of the sprue? I used small craft knife to slice the knobby bits off, I was reluctant to use any glass paper, but I am still not happy with being able to see little lumps at various points.

Anyway, here's the little model;

HXuCHtf.jpg


Maybe I'll take a pic of the model on my real life Astro as well.

Link to some places you can get this (apart from eBay;

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail?gcode=TOY-SCL2-59192&page=top
https://hlj.com/product/WAVGM-017
https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figure...tro-city-arcade-game-machine-sega-titles.html

That's awesome! Looks great.

As far as cutting things off the Sprue, I use a "Sprue cutter" or sometimes a very sharp hobby knife. I then use the knife to cut away the excess and then some light sand paper to make the "burr" disappear completely.
 
So I had the basic Vallejo USA model colors kit and decided to expand my palette choices.

Didnt seem to see a whole lot of choices kit wise. All I saw were 3 or 4 different sets, total, looked on Amazon.

I bought the WW2 set and the Earth tones set. 16 colors in each. Thought there'd be a couple blues in there but there wasn't in either. Lots of great greens browns and tans though.

Does anyone know any if there are any kits out there with at least a couple blues, maybe a pink or some purples? I've got greens and tans/browns out the wazoo. Could use some colors on the other size of the spectrum.

Am I going to have to buy individually? Ideally I'd like to grab another 8 or 16 color set.

Thanks!
 

Cerity

Member
Just go through their site and look for the available sets, but most from what I've seen are military based, so a lot of earthy/camo colours. You might have better luck with their game color/air sets.
 
One small question for you modellers, what is the best way for dealing with 'burr' or whatever you call it, when you cut plastic pieces of the sprue? I used small craft knife to slice the knobby bits off, I was reluctant to use any glass paper, but I am still not happy with being able to see little lumps at various points.

I just use these. I use them to cut the part off the tree first, then use it again to get as close as possible to cut the rest off. They do such a nice job that I hardly need to use anything else.

Tamiya_Sharp_Pointed_Side_Cutter_for_Plastic__74035_53761.jpeg


So I had the basic Vallejo USA model colors kit and decided to expand my palette choices.

Didnt seem to see a whole lot of choices kit wise. All I saw were 3 or 4 different sets, total, looked on Amazon.

I bought the WW2 set and the Earth tones set. 16 colors in each. Thought there'd be a couple blues in there but there wasn't in either. Lots of great greens browns and tans though.

Does anyone know any if there are any kits out there with at least a couple blues, maybe a pink or some purples? I've got greens and tans/browns out the wazoo. Could use some colors on the other size of the spectrum.

Am I going to have to buy individually? Ideally I'd like to grab another 8 or 16 color set.

Thanks!

I've always bought them individually. What's the advantage of a set? Are they cheaper?

You could also try mixing colours, it sometimes helps to get that perfect shade.
 

Cerity

Member
Ugh, this new airbrush is driving me nuts, the needle dries within a minute or two and clogs up unless I thoroughly clean it after changing colours. Not to mention I have a hell of a time trying to align the nozzle correctly. I guess that's what happens when you buy cheap airbrushes :( Guess the next purchase will be an Iwata of sorts.
 
One small question for you modellers, what is the best way for dealing with 'burr' or whatever you call it, when you cut plastic pieces of the sprue? I used small craft knife to slice the knobby bits off, I was reluctant to use any glass paper, but I am still not happy with being able to see little lumps at various points.

Cut the sprue away from the part, then make a second cut on the gate. Then either use sandpaper or a file to get rid of the nub, depending on the part/your preference. Use increasing grits of sandpaper to get a smoother finish. You might try automotive shops/sections for the super high grit stuff.

I'm not a fan of using my knife to shave away the nub, because I've screwed up way too often. Sanding/filing takes longer, but your fingers are in less danger, and you're far less likely to damage the part.
 
Ugh, this new airbrush is driving me nuts, the needle dries within a minute or two and clogs up unless I thoroughly clean it after changing colours. Not to mention I have a hell of a time trying to align the nozzle correctly. I guess that's what happens when you buy cheap airbrushes :( Guess the next purchase will be an Iwata of sorts.

What sorta paints you using? Could also have something to do with the environment and thickness. The same thing can happen on any sort of airbrush, I've used a cheap ass one for over a year before I accidentally broke the nozzle thread, but apart from that it worked perfectly.
 

Yarbskoo

Member
One small question for you modellers, what is the best way for dealing with 'burr' or whatever you call it, when you cut plastic pieces of the sprue? I used small craft knife to slice the knobby bits off, I was reluctant to use any glass paper, but I am still not happy with being able to see little lumps at various points.

I use the side cutters to clip as close as possible, and then use a file until I can't feel the nub anymore.

That said, it still often ends up being visible anyway, but at least it won't get in the way of parts fitting together.
 
Ugh, this new airbrush is driving me nuts, the needle dries within a minute or two and clogs up unless I thoroughly clean it after changing colours. Not to mention I have a hell of a time trying to align the nozzle correctly. I guess that's what happens when you buy cheap airbrushes :( Guess the next purchase will be an Iwata of sorts.

What airbrush did you purchase?
 

Cerity

Member
What sorta paints you using? Could also have something to do with the environment and thickness. The same thing can happen on any sort of airbrush, I've used a cheap ass one for over a year before I accidentally broke the nozzle thread, but apart from that it worked perfectly.

I've tried tamiya, humbrol and vallejo acrylics in it. Thinned them all at different ratios and have tried a bunch of different pressures. I'm pretty sure it's to do with the quality/machining of the thing as the nozzle never seems to be actually centre. I've tried a bunch of tips/mods that other users have about with no luck either.

I also had a cheapy before this one that worked alright, but I can't seem to unclog it from the last time I was playing with enamels (>5 years ago).

What airbrush did you purchase?

Didn't exactly buy it but it came with the air compressor that I purchased, it seems to be a rebranded master g22.
 

NEO0MJ

Member
Speaking of nippers, how good are god hand nippers in comparison to Tamiya? I feel my Tamiya have gotten a bit dull now from use as they don't cut as neatly anymore.
 
Anyone know of a good guide for doing a lightly snowed effect?
Know how to do it for a base and such but thinking about doing it on a Russian tank and don't know a good technique.

Edit:nvm found a really good one hidden on YouTube.
 
Speaking of nippers, how good are god hand nippers in comparison to Tamiya? I feel my Tamiya have gotten a bit dull now from use as they don't cut as neatly anymore.

They're great for what they're meant for (cutting the gate super super cleanly), but how much that matters to you will pretty much wholly determine how worthwhile they are.

You're probably better served getting another set of Tamiya nippers, to be perfectly honest. Also consider the Gundam Planet nippers. GP's nippers serve a similar purpose to the God Hands but aren't as ridiculously priced.
 

NEO0MJ

Member
GP's nippers serve a similar purpose to the God Hands but aren't as ridiculously priced.

Aren't they only $20 on Amazon JP? I'll be importing regardless of what I buy. Though it seems Gundam Planet's nippers are only Amazon US as well and I'm planning on ordering from them soon so it might be worth it to reduce shipping cost.
 
Aren't they only $20 on Amazon JP? I'll be importing regardless of what I buy. Though it seems Gundam Planet's nippers are only Amazon US as well and I'm planning on ordering from them soon so it might be worth it to reduce shipping cost.

Yeah, they are. I was including shipping, which can get quickly get out of control. God Hands are great, but being $50+ great is debatable.
 

4444244

Member
Hmm, making that Sega Astro City kit has made me want to do some more (kits).

However I would rather not do any kits that require glueing - I was pretty impressed on the quality of the WAVE kit.

Does anyone recommend any other kits that don't require glueing?
 

NEO0MJ

Member
Yeah, they are. I was including shipping, which can get quickly get out of control. God Hands are great, but being $50+ great is debatable.

I think I'll order one from amazon jp along with the MG Turn X Gundam. I've been delaying that for a long time.

Does anyone recommend any other kits that don't require glueing?

What kind of stuff are you into? Mechas, cars, ships, or tanks? Any property you're a particular fan of?
 

Meffer

Member
Hmm, making that Sega Astro City kit has made me want to do some more (kits).

However I would rather not do any kits that require glueing - I was pretty impressed on the quality of the WAVE kit.

Does anyone recommend any other kits that don't require glueing?

Gunpla. And most kits look great by simply snap-building. Try HG kits first. Personal favorite of mine are LBX model kits.
 

Cerity

Member
Most, if not all of bandai's kits are snap fit. IIRC Airfix have their quickbuild and Revell have their snaptite ranges too.
 
Does anyone recommend any other kits that don't require glueing?

Bandai's Star Wars range is all snap-fit, but there are times where you'll want to glue bits to stop things falling off (I'm looking at you TIE Fighter panels).

Any particular reason you want to avoid glue? If you get some of that Tamiya Extra Thin that comes with an application brush then it becomes super easy and mess free.
 
I fucked up a model big time. I wasn't reading the directions and glued the fuselage of a chopper together without realizing the cockpit had to go in first.

What should I do?
 

Cerity

Member
I fucked up a model big time. I wasn't reading the directions and glued the fuselage of a chopper together without realizing the cockpit had to go in first.

What should I do?

At that point I'd get creative. Say, fashion a tarp to cover the cockpit and dust it up to make it look like it's been sitting in a hangar for years.
 

NEO0MJ

Member
That awful feeling when you thought you were cutting part of the spree from the part but it turns out you cut and sanded the nub meant to hold the sliding part that the kit's gun relied on to hold the scythe bayonet ( ._.)

29422778965_932fb7e93d_b.jpg
 

Yarbskoo

Member
That awful feeling when you thought you were cutting part of the spree from the part but it turns out you cut and sanded the nub meant to hold the sliding part that the kit's gun relied on to hold the scythe bayonet ( ._.)

29422778965_932fb7e93d_b.jpg

Oh god.

It's only a matter of time until this happens to me.
 
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