Builder Kits

[Pir8hnter]

With what I am doing, which is starting on sci-fi aircraft, I am doing some kit bashing, some scratch building and some aftermarket parts. I tried what one member posted and found some scrap sheet styrene for very little from a sign maker. I have started buying what is listed as "Builders Kits" on E-bay. The ones I am finding are in the $4.99-6.99 range with $4.00-6.00 shipping. Most of these are new kits that don't have figures or decals, not in the plastic bags, some parts removed from sprue's and loose in the box, etc. So you figure I am getting a complete kit with parts that I will use now and in the future for $10.-13.00 range. Which allows me to build up my spare part stash. I have found some sellers that are parting out the Hasegawa weapon kits. This allows you to buy just some of the weapons not the whole kit. Unless you are planning a diorama build of the entire 8TH Air Force in WWII and need all of the bombs. I also check out second hand stores. I don't usually find model kits there, but if I do, they are usually in the $.50 cent to $2.50 range. I found a new pressure gauge for an airbrush setup in one of them. I also found a solid hardwood base for $5.00 which is perfect for a diorama. I also found one store, not a hobby store, that their model kits are $5.00-7.00 cheaper than other stores. I found a model train store owner who will order stuff for me and sell it for 20% off list price. Doesn't sound like much, but if you order $100.00 worth of items, that's a pretty good chunk of change you save. Even if I do have to pay sales tax. I found that a lot of the nail techs will let you buy the sanding sticks they use through them, which can save you a few dollars. Sometimes you can find one that is giving up the business and score a large amount of items. I realize that this is a rather long post, but it is the way I have found some money in a hobby that is becoming more expensive every year. It just takes a little time and effort. Hope this gives you some ideas.
Yours
Pirate Hunter