Greetings from Anchorage, Alaska! Yes! This is a useful series. I would consider myself an intermediate modellor (1/72 armor, mostly) and I picked up something to use in this video as well as an affirmation. To use - I'll stop aligning my nippers right up against the piece to nip, I'll back it off a bit. Affirmation - lighting and bracing, a must!!
As an experienced modeller, I can say that was probably the best introduction to modelling I’ve seen. I look forward to watching more in the series,I just hope you keep it simple so NEW modellers don’t get swamped with too much information and advanced techniques. Thanks Alex
Great introduction Alex. As an incompetent perfectionist I'd also add another message to all starters: your first model won't be perfect - in fact most won't be, because as your skills improve, so will your expectations. However, you will get better and better as you progress and you should try and enjoy the process as much as the finished article.
Haven't modelled since I was a teen in the 80s and looking forward to giving it a go again. This is perfect. Thank you. Looking forward to this series.
I like the fact that you pointed out the best way back into the hobby is starting off small. I've been out of the hobby for over 20 years and my girlfriend knew I wanted to come back into it. So, she buys me the then brand new Border 1/35 Tiger kit. It's beautiful, but it's like trying to teach someone who has never driven a car by putting them behind the wheel of a Ferrari. I worked on the road wheels and realized that my skills were very much diminished. I put the Tiger away and bought a Miniart weapons kit. This kit let me remember lost skills and techniques. I'm looking forward to your build videos!
And this is why I call you a respected modeller. This video is exactly as it should be... giving great insights without over informing. I look forward to the rest of the series. Nice one, Alex.
Absolutely brilliant. I've been modelling for the last 12 years or so. An old dog can learn new tricks. Wetting the brush and moving the part to the cutter are just two things that Ive never done before. I will incorporate them from now on. A steady brush painting tip I use, is to hold the wrist of the painting hand with the non painting hand. Thank you so much for your videos. Cannot wait for next installment.
I've returned to modelling about 18 months ago after 30+ years... even though I'm starting to get almost competent this is always going to be a good series
This is a really helpful outline for someone who’s returning to modelling after such a lengthy absence like myself. So much seems to have changed so this is really useful. What I do like is the non prescriptive approach and that you act as a guide through the process. The film is a “How to …” rather than a “You must do …” which is nice. Hope this helps, looking forward to the next one. 👍
Very useful, thank you. Regarding cutting, I always have some eye protection whether it's my specs if its really fiddly or a cheap pair of DIY glasses (De Walt seem pretty good for about £3) as spurs/frames/gates can go flying in very strange directions!
I think this series will be useful to both the novice and experienced builder. Many times even the experienced builders will just forget the simple things because you are concentrating on the bigger stuff. It may all be basic information but at the very least it will be a reminder. For the beginner it’s going to be really useful in helping them get started in the hobby and hopefully will save them some frustration that may cause them to give up on it. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Been modelling over fifty years now. Still good to go through the basics now and then. Experience often tries to cut corners. It can save time or end badly! I get both results.
Alex, you’ve set the scene, looking forward to you working your way through the kits to see how you go about some of the processes. Hoping to pickup some tips and if not, it will reinforce what I’m already doing 👍
I started scale modelling again earlier this year after 40+ years and watched videos like this to find a good starting point. Then it was a matter of practicing, making errors left and right and slowly building my skills and improving my work environment. I reckon how-to videos will be useful for the foreseeable future. Thanks for taking your time.
Hi, I usually have a couple of plastic kits that I get at swap meet or on clearance. I usually try to get ones that are in my area of interest. I use those kits to practice new techniques that I am trying to master or practice my painting style or ideas. I know that I can always clean off the paint and try it again.
I really like your videos and particularly this one. I have been thinking about coming back to model making now that I am retired and I think your new beginner guide series is going to be very helpful.
Interesting, nicely crafted introduction Alex. Succinct yet informative. This promises to be a valuable series for all levels of modeller. Eager to see more.
Great video Alex. Something I'd like to add. A consideration not many think of until after the event for beginners. I think starter sets with the well known "problem" colours predominating should be reduced. So to pick up on a few of the sets available right now, and you mentioned, would be the Red Arrows and (to a lesser extent) P-51 Mustang. Yellows and whites can be included, and metallics. A beginner applying these with a brush is much more likely to achieve poor results, than say greens, browns and greys. We've all seen it online - a beginner having a disastrous finish on a red arrow after putting in quite a bit of effort. It's not their fault, just a lack of knowledge at this point in their new hobby. And I think it's something they should be helped with more, by manufacturers trying as much as they can to exclude starter sets that involve these..........after all, it'd be to their long term benefit if a beginner gets a good feeling about their completed first build. Anyway, again, good video - thank you.
Superb series, I'm sure it will help a lot of people and the more you do the more it'll help others. also I feel that something like this once you have 3-4 videos done it might help people stay in the hobby too and stop them quitting it altogether like I unfortunately did. Excellent work and I wish you and your shop all the very best!
Dear Alex these are some ideas which you are more then entitled to ignore.Start with the preparation of the sprues( washing , labeling and maybe pre painting.) Then choosing the scheme and paints. glue and assembly . fillers to use and sanding. building camo masks and templates. Painting and spraying . varnishing and decals. weathering and display with with accessories. learning to improve your skills.
Should you add to it? Yes. What a great starter video, good advice on the basic tools needed and how to use them. As for the kit choice that seems really appropriate too - entirely agree that the Shannon should not be your first kit. The only thing I would have emphasised is that not all the Airfix kits with the paints included are starter kits given how old and tricky to build some of those can be. Wish I had found something like this when I returned to the hobby. No matter how much of an expert we think we are it is worth watching videos like this as you either learn something new or you realise what bad habits you have acquired. 11/10. 👍
Nice one Alex. Given that you are going to thin your paint, some sort of mixing pallette might be useful? Mum's best crockery might not be a good idea. I love the "I recommend this..... but I'm going to built that" recurring theme. I wonder if this sort of video might be really useful for parents thinking about Christmas presents.
A great video whether a novice or more experienced. Im back in the hobby 3 years now, and still picked up some interesting nuggets of knowledge. Please keep this series going.
Great idea and looks to be very well executed. I've been modelling for years and consider myself average at best but looking forward to picking up hints and tips.
Personally I will say, as someone rediscovering model making after something like 30 years, I'm here for all of it. I'd like to see more let's call it…modeling philosophy? Or methodology? I like the idea of a "Mann's Model Method". Tutorials are great, but you can really glean some insights to just watching someone else work, or explain their personal methodology to tackling a model kit. I think a video on dealing with problems and mess-ups would be great. I don't see many of those, and I think messing up is a big fear for a lot of beginners. I recently messed up the finish on a '68 Roadrunner that I'm working on and had to strip the body with oven cleaner. It hurt at first… and then I messed up AGAIN and had to strip it AGAIN. It sucked. A bit of hurt pride and the realization that I just used a bunch of Tamiya Red Mica that's no longer sold in Canada, but I got over it, it wasn't the end of the world, grew a little bit from the experience, and maybe gained a little confidence for the future.
I am a more experienced modeller but really enjoyed this and will be watching the whole series. One bit of feedback - I am sure most people will know what a ‘sprue’ is but could a completely new modeller be left wondering what a ‘gate’ is ?
The 1/350 USS Fletcher by Tamiya is considered the best of the beginner kits for ship builders out there. You will know pretty quick if ships are your thing or not.
These are great videos Alex....i may not build anymore but i still watch.......btw i love the hulk hogan reference.. "that doesn't work for me,Brother"
Alex, a couple of points ref Starter Sets: a) You said the paint included is the worst element, but a lot of people say it's the glue - tube and imprecise - and as Humbrol /don't/ sell it on its own but /do/ sell one with a precision applicator, the inclusion of the tube glue is puzzling. b) Airfix as you no doubt know aren't the only ones to do Starter Sets. I like the admittedly more expensive Italeri ones which include the kit, bottle glue, acrylic paints ( 7ml ), a brush precision tweezer, doublesided sandpaper, and a sprue cutter. Several tools you don't have to buy additionally. c) Revell also do starter sets but they're more expensive than Airfix with about the sane contents, albeit Revell Contacta glue with a precision applicator. Ahh.. you included the kit in the budget. OK the Italeri would take out the budget in one hit. For painting tips. Miniature Realms is a very talented painter on YT and has a few Tutorials on his channel. I did laugh out loud with the water comment :)
Humbrol actually DO sell tube glue, in a larger size. Although experienced modellers don't like it, there are still people who prefer it and buy it. I don't know anyone who prefers Humbrol Acrylic! As for other starter sets - as I mentioned, other manufacturers just take an existing kit and bung in stuff with it - some of the Italeri, Heller and most of the Revell ones for starters are absolute dogs. I'll be working towards other types of glue, paint, brushes etc as we go.
An excellent start! Although I would always recommend a starter set consisting of half a razor blade and a file from around 1946. Anything else is for wimps… Seriously, the two things that revolutionised my modelling was a pair of nippers and liquid poly. Might be worth adding a pot of Tamiya cement to the starter set. Oh, and that cloth won’t be useless if you wear glasses.🤓
Beautiful video, Alex. Well thought out on inexpensive options. My question is, does the Rust-Rover come already pitted and corroded? Too many an oldtimer telling newbies to get this and that or your model building process will be worth sh... nothing because you're not branding the way they like. The end result is a depressed newcomer to the hobby looking at his - who would have guessed it - not-so-perfect build who's 70 or 90 quid down on their bank account for no good reason other than complying with someone else's fancies and dubious judgement abilities. On modeling knives, scalpels and other sundry cutty-cutty, stabby-stabby sharp things, never work on air or leave a space between you and the bench.. Both arms on the desk, modeling bench or worktable, paunch or chest against the surface edge. Too many a puncture wound on legs, feet - or worse - amidst the modeling community after a blade rolled off of the edge and took a dive straight into a limb. Another relatively inexpensive item is getting a cutting mat. But, if you can't afford one, get an off-cut of wood at your local sawmill or ask a carpenter for it if a house or business is being renovated in you neighbourhood. They usually go for free, since it's less rubbish to take out to the dump. Yellow and white pine off-cuts are incredibly useful cutting and sanding blocks, and can double as paint stands. The flat and heavy surface provides a stable ground, and if you're a fidgety, spasmy guy like me, there's less of a chance of rolling a corner of the mat while moving your arms without noticing and botching up a project. Ask me how I know, please. I also happen to use those off-cuts to base my scale models. Better to have them secured to a base than rattling around a box or display case and getting damaged. Scale models are like pets. They cost you money, time and patience. Look after them. Final word of advice. Take your time. Try and test different approaches to the different tools you'll be using. It's alright to have a different method for building each kit. Plastic is almost never the same, from brand to brand. You'll get flustered with a build at times. Take five minutes off, have a cup of your favourite non-booze brew and the answer will come to you in time. Don't speedrun a build. You're not death-marching a project at work or dealing with delivering a paper on time at the Uni. You're building a plastic model kit. Take your time, enjoy it and learn from it. Alas, fleamarket tips from a fleamarket modeller. Merry Christmas, mate. Cheers.
Hi Alex I must admit I was thinking of doing a series of videos like this but thought better of it but it's interesting that as a modeller of some 35 years now ( and I never would say I was a brilliant modeller) I do all of the things you have raised especially when using a cutting blade and looking after brushes so I just wanted to say great job mate and I may check out the other videos in this series
Can you recommend something to mitigate the hands moving thing? Not just for painting (I’ve bought a tamiya painting stand/turntable) but to hold a model while you’re adding small fiddly parts? I think it’d be easier with just one shaky hand than my current 2! Thanks for your vids. I’ve bought a lot of kits but have got quite a lot of airfix small kits to try and build up my skill set until I’m ready to build the memorial to my tank driver grandfather who drove crusaders and Shermans in North Africa and Italy. I also got a Lee, a Grant and the tanks they were up against like , panzer II, panzer III, panzer IV. I’m set for about 5 years of building :)
@@MannsModelMoments to be honest 5 years is a very conservative estimate. Probably more like 20. If I exercise and eat well I should (hopefully) get to compete them 🤗😆
I enjoy modelling but am really an out of the box modeller and wonder how other modellers manage to file the nubs off really small parts. Also one area I struggle with is filling seams. Sometimes no matter what I do or use I don't seem to be able to get rid of them . I'm not on about ghost seams, I mean if it's a really fine gap I'll fill and sand but it's still there. It's almost like the filler hasn't got into the fine gap. I used traditional type fillers, super glue and sprue glue but still have the problem. I have even used an old airbrush needle to try to get the liquid type fillers to get in there.
I would not recommend using a can of spray paint for absolute beginners, unless it's a varnish or primer. Unless you want your second and third model to have the same color, you'll be left with the spray can for quite some time after the purchase. Taking into account you will not likely be venturing into airbrushing as a novice modeler, I would recommend choosing the model color in a regular small bottle of acrylic paint, and applying it by brush using multiple water diluted layers. It results in a nice finish and helps you with the development of your painting technique. Also, I would recommend buying a single 0/10 or 0/20 brush for details to start with.
@@dutchbiker4825 Well, I don't agree at all. Spending £4 on a spray can if you're into civilian vehicles is not a poor investment given many acrylics cost around £3 a bottle. Length of time having it around is not an issue
Probably because Powerpoint and presentations are built to convey information - which is exactly what I'm doing. If it's business like, then good, it should be - who want's to watch some sloppily put-together shaky video footage? The point of this series is to educate and inform
Do you think this is a useful series, and what else do you think I should add into it? Let me know below!
Yes it will be a useful series, no matter the level of experience. 'Every day is a school day'.
Yes definitely. I will be watching avidly and following the hints and tips.
Greetings from Anchorage, Alaska! Yes! This is a useful series. I would consider myself an intermediate modellor (1/72 armor, mostly) and I picked up something to use in this video as well as an affirmation. To use - I'll stop aligning my nippers right up against the piece to nip, I'll back it off a bit. Affirmation - lighting and bracing, a must!!
As an experienced modeller, I can say that was probably the best introduction to modelling I’ve seen. I look forward to watching more in the series,I just hope you keep it simple so NEW modellers don’t get swamped with too much information and advanced techniques. Thanks Alex
@@stuart-hayes thank you!
Great introduction Alex. As an incompetent perfectionist I'd also add another message to all starters: your first model won't be perfect - in fact most won't be, because as your skills improve, so will your expectations. However, you will get better and better as you progress and you should try and enjoy the process as much as the finished article.
Haven't modelled since I was a teen in the 80s and looking forward to giving it a go again. This is perfect. Thank you. Looking forward to this series.
I like the fact that you pointed out the best way back into the hobby is starting off small. I've been out of the hobby for over 20 years and my girlfriend knew I wanted to come back into it. So, she buys me the then brand new Border 1/35 Tiger kit. It's beautiful, but it's like trying to teach someone who has never driven a car by putting them behind the wheel of a Ferrari. I worked on the road wheels and realized that my skills were very much diminished. I put the Tiger away and bought a Miniart weapons kit. This kit let me remember lost skills and techniques. I'm looking forward to your build videos!
And this is why I call you a respected modeller. This video is exactly as it should be... giving great insights without over informing. I look forward to the rest of the series. Nice one, Alex.
Thank you!
Absolutely brilliant. I've been modelling for the last 12 years or so. An old dog can learn new tricks. Wetting the brush and moving the part to the cutter are just two things that Ive never done before. I will incorporate them from now on. A steady brush painting tip I use, is to hold the wrist of the painting hand with the non painting hand. Thank you so much for your videos. Cannot wait for next installment.
I've returned to modelling about 18 months ago after 30+ years... even though I'm starting to get almost competent this is always going to be a good series
This is a really helpful outline for someone who’s returning to modelling after such a lengthy absence like myself. So much seems to have changed so this is really useful. What I do like is the non prescriptive approach and that you act as a guide through the process. The film is a “How to …” rather than a “You must do …” which is nice. Hope this helps, looking forward to the next one. 👍
As a new old modeller I'm very much looking forward to this 👍
Very useful, thank you. Regarding cutting, I always have some eye protection whether it's my specs if its really fiddly or a cheap pair of DIY glasses (De Walt seem pretty good for about £3) as spurs/frames/gates can go flying in very strange directions!
I think this series will be useful to both the novice and experienced builder. Many times even the experienced builders will just forget the simple things because you are concentrating on the bigger stuff. It may all be basic information but at the very least it will be a reminder. For the beginner it’s going to be really useful in helping them get started in the hobby and hopefully will save them some frustration that may cause them to give up on it. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Congrats, Alex! Very well done and enjoyable to watch, even for an experienced modeler 🙂Can't wait to see you in action!
Been modelling over fifty years now. Still good to go through the basics now and then. Experience often tries to cut corners. It can save time or end badly! I get both results.
Alex, you’ve set the scene, looking forward to you working your way through the kits to see how you go about some of the processes. Hoping to pickup some tips and if not, it will reinforce what I’m already doing 👍
I started scale modelling again earlier this year after 40+ years and watched videos like this to find a good starting point. Then it was a matter of practicing, making errors left and right and slowly building my skills and improving my work environment. I reckon how-to videos will be useful for the foreseeable future. Thanks for taking your time.
You're welcome!
@@flightis3dollars Agreed 😉👍
Hi, I usually have a couple of plastic kits that I get at swap meet or on clearance. I usually try to get ones that are in my area of interest. I use those kits to practice new techniques that I am trying to master or practice my painting style or ideas. I know that I can always clean off the paint and try it again.
Excellent.
Always good to be reminded of the basics - which I often get wrong!
And top marks for a well produced and nicely narrated video.
Excellent series. Great presentation. Thanks
I really like your videos and particularly this one. I have been thinking about coming back to model making now that I am retired and I think your new beginner guide series is going to be very helpful.
Interesting, nicely crafted introduction Alex.
Succinct yet informative.
This promises to be a valuable series for all levels of modeller.
Eager to see more.
Been building models for years now mate,and do you know what i've learned,knowledge is power 😉👍
?
@MannsModelMoments in the sense that its never to late to learn something 😉👍
@the-primered-thumb ah I see!
"You are much softer than plastic" - love
Great video Alex.
Something I'd like to add. A consideration not many think of until after the event for beginners.
I think starter sets with the well known "problem" colours predominating should be reduced. So to pick up on a few of the sets available right now, and you mentioned, would be the Red Arrows and (to a lesser extent) P-51 Mustang. Yellows and whites can be included, and metallics.
A beginner applying these with a brush is much more likely to achieve poor results, than say greens, browns and greys. We've all seen it online - a beginner having a disastrous finish on a red arrow after putting in quite a bit of effort.
It's not their fault, just a lack of knowledge at this point in their new hobby. And I think it's something they should be helped with more, by manufacturers trying as much as they can to exclude starter sets that involve these..........after all, it'd be to their long term benefit if a beginner gets a good feeling about their completed first build.
Anyway, again, good video - thank you.
Great introduction to modelling look forward to the rest maybe irradicate those had habits we all pick up well done
Great series and idea. Looking forward to more.
Good job! Keep them coming.
Superb series, I'm sure it will help a lot of people and the more you do the more it'll help others. also I feel that something like this once you have 3-4 videos done it might help people stay in the hobby too and stop them quitting it altogether like I unfortunately did. Excellent work and I wish you and your shop all the very best!
Dear Alex these are some ideas which you are more then entitled to ignore.Start with the preparation of the sprues( washing , labeling and maybe pre painting.) Then choosing the scheme and paints. glue and assembly . fillers to use and sanding. building camo masks and templates. Painting and spraying . varnishing and decals. weathering and display with with accessories. learning to improve your skills.
Should you add to it? Yes. What a great starter video, good advice on the basic tools needed and how to use them. As for the kit choice that seems really appropriate too - entirely agree that the Shannon should not be your first kit. The only thing I would have emphasised is that not all the Airfix kits with the paints included are starter kits given how old and tricky to build some of those can be.
Wish I had found something like this when I returned to the hobby. No matter how much of an expert we think we are it is worth watching videos like this as you either learn something new or you realise what bad habits you have acquired. 11/10. 👍
I bought a AirFix MIG - SKYHAWK beginner kit. The paints arrived rock solid. I threw that part in the trash. Best to have your own supplies it seems.
Nice one Alex. Given that you are going to thin your paint, some sort of mixing pallette might be useful? Mum's best crockery might not be a good idea.
I love the "I recommend this..... but I'm going to built that" recurring theme.
I wonder if this sort of video might be really useful for parents thinking about Christmas presents.
Hi Alex, only have a few builds under my belt, will be looking forward to this series with interest.
A great video whether a novice or more experienced. Im back in the hobby 3 years now, and still picked up some interesting nuggets of knowledge. Please keep this series going.
Great stuff Alex, looking forward to the rest of the series.
Nice video and looking forward to the upcoming ones.
Great idea and looks to be very well executed. I've been modelling for years and consider myself average at best but looking forward to picking up hints and tips.
Nice idea. Looking forward to seeing it develop
Personally I will say, as someone rediscovering model making after something like 30 years, I'm here for all of it. I'd like to see more let's call it…modeling philosophy? Or methodology? I like the idea of a "Mann's Model Method". Tutorials are great, but you can really glean some insights to just watching someone else work, or explain their personal methodology to tackling a model kit.
I think a video on dealing with problems and mess-ups would be great. I don't see many of those, and I think messing up is a big fear for a lot of beginners.
I recently messed up the finish on a '68 Roadrunner that I'm working on and had to strip the body with oven cleaner. It hurt at first… and then I messed up AGAIN and had to strip it AGAIN. It sucked. A bit of hurt pride and the realization that I just used a bunch of Tamiya Red Mica that's no longer sold in Canada, but I got over it, it wasn't the end of the world, grew a little bit from the experience, and maybe gained a little confidence for the future.
Very useful.
Very informative thank you
Thank you. Looking forward to more . I give up early in my model building, as glue , to complex models and my bane decals stymied me . Thanks you .
I am a more experienced modeller but really enjoyed this and will be watching the whole series. One bit of feedback - I am sure most people will know what a ‘sprue’ is but could a completely new modeller be left wondering what a ‘gate’ is ?
The 1/350 USS Fletcher by Tamiya is considered the best of the beginner kits for ship builders out there. You will know pretty quick if ships are your thing or not.
These are great videos Alex....i may not build anymore but i still watch.......btw i love the hulk hogan reference.. "that doesn't work for me,Brother"
Alex, a couple of points ref Starter Sets:
a) You said the paint included is the worst element, but a lot of people say it's the glue - tube and imprecise - and as Humbrol /don't/ sell it on its own but /do/ sell one with a precision applicator, the inclusion of the tube glue is puzzling.
b) Airfix as you no doubt know aren't the only ones to do Starter Sets. I like the admittedly more expensive Italeri ones which include the kit, bottle glue, acrylic paints ( 7ml ), a brush precision tweezer, doublesided sandpaper, and a sprue cutter. Several tools you don't have to buy additionally.
c) Revell also do starter sets but they're more expensive than Airfix with about the sane contents, albeit Revell Contacta glue with a precision applicator.
Ahh.. you included the kit in the budget. OK the Italeri would take out the budget in one hit.
For painting tips. Miniature Realms is a very talented painter on YT and has a few Tutorials on his channel.
I did laugh out loud with the water comment :)
Humbrol actually DO sell tube glue, in a larger size. Although experienced modellers don't like it, there are still people who prefer it and buy it. I don't know anyone who prefers Humbrol Acrylic!
As for other starter sets - as I mentioned, other manufacturers just take an existing kit and bung in stuff with it - some of the Italeri, Heller and most of the Revell ones for starters are absolute dogs.
I'll be working towards other types of glue, paint, brushes etc as we go.
@@MannsModelMoments ah yes, the Poly Cement. I missed it as it's boxed. Oops. I still think it's an odd choice to include though.
Good series i think
An excellent start! Although I would always recommend a starter set consisting of half a razor blade and a file from around 1946. Anything else is for wimps… Seriously, the two things that revolutionised my modelling was a pair of nippers and liquid poly. Might be worth adding a pot of Tamiya cement to the starter set. Oh, and that cloth won’t be useless if you wear glasses.🤓
Always great for tip's
A video on how to use the wet palette you showed off TEMU would be great.
Definitely!
Beautiful video, Alex. Well thought out on inexpensive options. My question is, does the Rust-Rover come already pitted and corroded?
Too many an oldtimer telling newbies to get this and that or your model building process will be worth sh... nothing because you're not branding the way they like. The end result is a depressed newcomer to the hobby looking at his - who would have guessed it - not-so-perfect build who's 70 or 90 quid down on their bank account for no good reason other than complying with someone else's fancies and dubious judgement abilities.
On modeling knives, scalpels and other sundry cutty-cutty, stabby-stabby sharp things, never work on air or leave a space between you and the bench.. Both arms on the desk, modeling bench or worktable, paunch or chest against the surface edge. Too many a puncture wound on legs, feet - or worse - amidst the modeling community after a blade rolled off of the edge and took a dive straight into a limb.
Another relatively inexpensive item is getting a cutting mat. But, if you can't afford one, get an off-cut of wood at your local sawmill or ask a carpenter for it if a house or business is being renovated in you neighbourhood. They usually go for free, since it's less rubbish to take out to the dump. Yellow and white pine off-cuts are incredibly useful cutting and sanding blocks, and can double as paint stands. The flat and heavy surface provides a stable ground, and if you're a fidgety, spasmy guy like me, there's less of a chance of rolling a corner of the mat while moving your arms without noticing and botching up a project. Ask me how I know, please.
I also happen to use those off-cuts to base my scale models. Better to have them secured to a base than rattling around a box or display case and getting damaged. Scale models are like pets. They cost you money, time and patience. Look after them.
Final word of advice. Take your time. Try and test different approaches to the different tools you'll be using. It's alright to have a different method for building each kit. Plastic is almost never the same, from brand to brand. You'll get flustered with a build at times. Take five minutes off, have a cup of your favourite non-booze brew and the answer will come to you in time. Don't speedrun a build. You're not death-marching a project at work or dealing with delivering a paper on time at the Uni. You're building a plastic model kit. Take your time, enjoy it and learn from it.
Alas, fleamarket tips from a fleamarket modeller.
Merry Christmas, mate.
Cheers.
good evening everyone
Hi Alex I must admit I was thinking of doing a series of videos like this but thought better of it but it's interesting that as a modeller of some 35 years now ( and I never would say I was a brilliant modeller) I do all of the things you have raised especially when using a cutting blade and looking after brushes so I just wanted to say great job mate and I may check out the other videos in this series
Thanks matey!
Can you recommend something to mitigate the hands moving thing? Not just for painting (I’ve bought a tamiya painting stand/turntable) but to hold a model while you’re adding small fiddly parts? I think it’d be easier with just one shaky hand than my current 2!
Thanks for your vids. I’ve bought a lot of kits but have got quite a lot of airfix small kits to try and build up my skill set until I’m ready to build the memorial to my tank driver grandfather who drove crusaders and Shermans in North Africa and Italy. I also got a Lee, a Grant and the tanks they were up against like , panzer II, panzer III, panzer IV.
I’m set for about 5 years of building :)
@@danhat69 I'm set up for more years of building than I probably have in me!!!😬
@@MannsModelMoments to be honest 5 years is a very conservative estimate. Probably more like 20. If I exercise and eat well I should (hopefully) get to compete them 🤗😆
I enjoy modelling but am really an out of the box modeller and wonder how other modellers manage to file the nubs off really small parts.
Also one area I struggle with is filling seams. Sometimes no matter what I do or use I don't seem to be able to get rid of them . I'm not on about ghost seams, I mean if it's a really fine gap I'll fill and sand but it's still there. It's almost like the filler hasn't got into the fine gap. I used traditional type fillers, super glue and sprue glue but still have the problem. I have even used an old airbrush needle to try to get the liquid type fillers to get in there.
@@markIburgess I'll cover filling in a future video 😉
@@MannsModelMoments I'll look forward to it I've watched loads of vids so it must be me doing something wrong.
👍👍
I would not recommend using a can of spray paint for absolute beginners, unless it's a varnish or primer. Unless you want your second and third model to have the same color, you'll be left with the spray can for quite some time after the purchase. Taking into account you will not likely be venturing into airbrushing as a novice modeler, I would recommend choosing the model color in a regular small bottle of acrylic paint, and applying it by brush using multiple water diluted layers. It results in a nice finish and helps you with the development of your painting technique. Also, I would recommend buying a single 0/10 or 0/20 brush for details to start with.
@@dutchbiker4825 Well, I don't agree at all. Spending £4 on a spray can if you're into civilian vehicles is not a poor investment given many acrylics cost around £3 a bottle. Length of time having it around is not an issue
I do enjoy your videos but with the greatest respect the intros tend to be like a power point presentation with all the business like slides.
Probably because Powerpoint and presentations are built to convey information - which is exactly what I'm doing. If it's business like, then good, it should be - who want's to watch some sloppily put-together shaky video footage? The point of this series is to educate and inform