Desk & Tools Help

[dp037]

In the Hello post, I mentioned I did not have a dedicated modelling space/desk/bench to work at. Well that has now changed after I carried out a of bit of tidying, throwing out, closely followed by a bit woodwork. Let me know if the Flickr links don’t work to show the before and after pictures of the bench.

Before


After



Tools, or should I say the lack of them consist of the following:-





Yes, the sand paper is the 180 grit type that you use on the skirting boards when your other half decides its time to decorate.
The craft knifes are used to cut the parts off the sprue, or as I should say, cut and fire the part across the room.

The last model I worked on, I used Revell Contacta Liquid glue, but I have noticed in ISM videos that Tamiya glues and Super Glue are used to bond the components together. Would it be advisable to move to these types of glue?
Is there an forum post that describes the best place to use the different types of glue on a model?

The paints are the Humbrol Enamel type from about 2000 and I a unsure what to do with them. They have not been opened since the early 2000’s, but will they have deteriorated beyond use? Should I put them in the bin and buy new? If I buy new, what do I buy?
In the future I would like to use an airbrush, but that would mean buying one, plus a bench vent, mask and other stuff. So is there a paint type that can be used with a brush and then an air brush in the future?

In the next post I should have pictures of the various models I own and put them on Flickr, or Scalemates Stash Manager, or both for all to view.

Thank you help
David

[Donkeywalloper]

Awesome job with desk Dp
If you have the pennies / cents, suggest you invest in some Ultimate sanding sticks. They do a mixed set, which would give you a very nice finish.
Paint, look at Acrylics (water based), Vallejo is a go to, but their are many sorts. The beauty is thay have less odour than Enamels like Humbrol and can be thinned with good old H2O.
DW

[Twokidsnosleep]

Wow great job on the woodwork

Ahh paint and supplies.
You have to think what you want to use and do. Acrylics vs lacquers are a start. How ‘into’ modelling are you wanting to get?
I don’t see a spray booth so, acrylics are likely. A good spray booth is the next jump up in modelling as it controls all the vapour/aerosols we make. Benchvent from the UK is the gold standard to compare to.
As a kid, I had a wall of old Humbrol tins-good paint at the time, now are crap made in Asia
I have mostly acrylic Tamiya pint that is slowly changing to Tamiya lacquers, with some others tossed in. Ultimate primers are awesome as well.
Don’t buy an entire line of paint, just get what you need as you go.

Guess what kind of airbrush I am gonna recommend
Feel free to ask questions, happy to help you along

[alextheblue]

Great set-up David, should give you plenty of space.

Some great advice from DW and Scott, so not much more that I can add there. As far as glue/cement goes, you can't go wrong with Tamiya Extra Thin for gluing styrene together. Mr Hobby also do a capillary action glue, but now that Extra Thin is readily available in the UK, that's the one I'd go for.

As for attaching PE, resin etc., a good CA (CyanoAcrylate) or superglue is the way to go. I've tried a ton of the usual brands of CA that you can get from the model sites, but I tend to use good old Loctite Superglue now. The one that comes in a nifty little dispenser.

The only additional glue you will need is something to attach the clear parts. Don't use CA glue it will fog the parts every time. You can get away with Extra Thin, but you do run the risk of fogging. The best option is something like Krystalclear from Microscale. It's basically a thinned down PVA glue, so you could always mix up your own.

And as Scott says, just buy what you need, when you need.

[dp037]

Thanks for the comments about the desk/bench.

Your answers to my questions are reinforcing the thoughts I was having, but its always good to receive sound advice from experienced modellers.

The sanders in the ‘Ultimate Sanders Mega Starter Pack’ look a must after seeing them perform in the Paul-ISM build videos.

I thought acrylics may the way forward at the beginning and it was good to read that they do not smell as much as enamels. Especially since I have to share the room with ‘she who must be obeyed’.
Airbrush painting is something I want to do, but it is costly to gear up and I want to master some of the build/surface preparation techniques first.
Plus, if I’m a good boy Santa may leave me nice present on the 25 Dec.

Glue was a bit of grey area for me, as there seems to be many different types with lots of different names and it was doing my head in . I’ll definitely be buying the Extra Thin and super glue, but I have about 2 litres of PVA in the garage downstairs which I can use for the clear parts.

Do you have any idea want the thinning ratio is?

Cheers
dp

[CygnusX1]

That's a neat little setup - nice job building it.

What subjects are you interested in? Planes? Armour? Something else?

[onemac]

Nice bench extension

Sound advice above but the words 'sharing a room' and 'airbrushing' is likely to be the first hurdle Acrylic hand painting is an art and all acrylics differ in ease of laying down with a brush. Lacquers (apart from a precious few) don't generally brush well and depending on your point of view tend to spray better - they do smell though so sharing a room may result in sanctions from the other half (ask me how I know)

Ultimate Primers both brush and spray well, their thinners and (air)brush cleaners are truly amongst the very best and in my humble opinion their range of sanders cannot be beaten. The Apex airbrush is a great all-round airbrush but you do need a decent spray booth and compressor, although the latter may be of less importance to start with. We've all been in your position of starting out and it seems like a never ending round of equipment and materials purchasing but the main thing I would say is regardless of what you have or wish for is to enjoy your modelling. ISM is a great place for that and remember - if you have a question just ask. You'll get loads of help, advice and encouragement either here in the forum or over on the Facebook site

Enjoy your journey

Al

[Gregwatters]

hey there,

I really like the bench update loads more room, the other folks have answered your questions really well, i will add that airbrushing isnt that expensive there are some great value purchases such as a cheap compressor (with tank) an apex airbrush and a respirator used (with open window) along with a few acrylic airbrush paints vallejo etc etc should come in well under £200 pounds and is great fun to play about with.

Anyway im no expert myself but i will be interested in seeing what you decide
ps. tamiya extra thin is a must.

[digger303]

Thanks for the comments about the desk/bench.

Your answers to my questions are reinforcing the thoughts I was having, but its always good to receive sound advice from experienced modellers.

The sanders in the ‘Ultimate Sanders Mega Starter Pack’ look a must after seeing them perform in the Paul-ISM build videos.

I thought acrylics may the way forward at the beginning and it was good to read that they do not smell as much as enamels. Especially since I have to share the room with ‘she who must be obeyed’.
Airbrush painting is something I want to do, but it is costly to gear up and I want to master some of the build/surface preparation techniques first.
Plus, if I’m a good boy Santa may leave me nice present on the 25 Dec.

Glue was a bit of grey area for me, as there seems to be many different types with lots of different names and it was doing my head in . I’ll definitely be buying the Extra Thin and super glue, but I have about 2 litres of PVA in the garage downstairs which I can use for the clear parts.

Do you have any idea want the thinning ratio is?

Cheers
dp

If your into diorama's then that pva is good for that especially if it's the good stuff and not the watered down variety.