New Physical Modeler

[mcarney1173]

Hello. I have become inspired by this site to begin creating physical models. I need some ideas of stores and brands I can buy from. Additionally, I would like to know what I can use at home or buy from an art store to make a model from scratch. Thanks

[tetsujin]

Bondo (polyester putty) is a pretty good medium for certain kinds of scratchbuilding - it's great for additive methods (new layers bond very well to old layers) and it sets up really fast, which makes it really good for techniques that call for a lot of build/refine/repeat steps... $10 for a gallon can at an auto supply store...

If you're building something big then fiberglass may be a good medium to work in - and wood can be a useful medium as well...

Some art stores carry casting materials - RTV mold rubber and urethane casting resin - these are quite handy for replicating parts you've already built.

Other than that, don't really know what to tell you... What you need really depends on what you're trying to do. I'd recommend looking for Dave Merriuman's scratch build articles on CultTVMan's website, though - great stuff...

[mcarney1173]

Thanks. I been looking forever for something to work with and that Bondo sounds perfect. I'll be sure to post what I make on a new thread is I end up making something.

[Mike Hamby]

Hi Michael; scratch building models is really not that hard. it just takes a little imagination; and with time if you keep with it you will develope an "eye" for scale and you'll begin to figure out what parts look good with what parts.. Any local dollar store will have loads of styrene plastic containers,bowls,plates,little containers and even plastic kids toys and small party cups that can be used as engine exhaust cones. Also party stores will have plastic bowls and plates and big platters that can be made into flying saucers and radar dishes.

Pick up some basic supplies (glue ;supper as well as regular styrene glue; sandpaper;220grit; a couple of xacto knifes; a scribing tool; a small razor saw and miter box; a few packets of Plastruct plastic sheet packs and packs of strips and other I beam and L beam packets .

And after collecting a base of basic plastic shapes to use as the core's of your creations; you can buy a couple of actual model kits (tank kits are a good source of odd looking small parts) from the local hobby stores or sometimes you can come across really good deals at a model convention or contest show that has dealers there. They always have cardboard boxes full of spair parts and old model kits that you can take parts from and use them to add details to the outside of your creations..

and as I said; over time as you continue to do scratchbuilds you will get better. We all started doing scratchbuilding the same way; and if you can enjoy what you are doing and you continue to do it; over time you will improve. And you know when you do create something from your imagination realize that it is a work of art and is really a one-of-a-kind piece.

good luck Michael I hope you get into it and make it an enjoyable hobby.

V/R Michael