Building models for beginners.

[Admiral-Badruck]

What are the tips you would give people who are just starting out in the hobby when it comes to building MODELS (not units) in the hobby? Let's keep it simple.

[Primarch]

@Badruck - Would it really have killed you to put down some of your own ideas?

1. Take the time and carefully remove the mould lines from your models. You can use a file or just a craft knife.
2. When assembling the model, try fitting the pieces together without glue first to make sure that they fit correctly.
3. Once you have stuck two plastic pieces together, you can use a file to gently blend the edges together and fill in any gaps between the parts.
4. For humanoid figures, attach the head last. The head is a focal point for the model and being able to place it in a position that fits with the pose of the model (looking down a gun barrel for example) helps make your figures look more dynamic.
5. Use the correct type of glue (polystyrene cement for most plastics, superglue for resin/metal). Don't use too much glue, you only need a thin layer.
6. If you make a mistake and have to start over, clean the glue off first. Glue on glue is very weak and models will break apart easily.
7. With metal models and some plastic/resin pieces, it can be important to pin the model to strengthen the joints. Using a small hand drill, carefully drill a hole in each side of the piece you will join (5mm as a minimum should be enough). Then glue a paper clip or other stiff piece of wire in the hole. When you attach the piece, glue the other end of the wire.

[me_in_japan]

all good advice. Id even go so far as to reiterate the one about removing flash, as its a far more time consuming process than most newbies expect. Be prepared to put in an evening cleaning up and assembling a 10 man box set or similar.

[Admiral-Badruck]

@Badruck - Would it really have killed you to put down some of your own ideas?

it would have most likely not killed me but it may have been very hard to read.. I have given up on post that are long and wordy.. I just suck too much at writing... as much as I have tried to get better at it... anyway enough self loathing.

All very good stuff... thanks. for the input.