Modeling - The Tool Kit

Originally when I started this blog, one of the intents was to follow progress on modeling. I got some kits, and the intention to start working on them, but then I got busy. Not anymore however. During the break I found some time to get a new tool kit together with the help of my buddy Big Mike. We went to several shops for the kit, here is where we went and what we got...


PM Hobbycraft
This is an all around amazing store for the hobby enthusiast or just for even just crafty people. It is in Calgary on 32nd ave NE just east of deerfoot. It has everything from model trains, remote controlled aircraft, kits, paints and all the tools. It was here that I got...

Various paintbrushes – for the level of detail, picked up some flat brushed of three sizes for making even textures across flat panel surfaces. Also required brushes for the small detail.

Small files – with the level of customization that I will be doing, filing back bits to rebuild them will be necessary but also for the simple fact of cleaning up excess material from the injection molding process.

Glue – regular modeling glue that I have always used but this time with finer point application ends

Primer – Got some weird Japanese spec (no English on the label other then a wee little sticker) primer in white to start the Corvette.

Matte Clear spray – This was one of Big Mike’s suggestions. Typically after you are done modeling you want to spray it will a clear spray to seal and protect the paint. Gloss works great on car bodies and surfaces that should shin, but not all surfaces should shin, and for this the expensive matte clear spray exists.

Various Paints- I went with the expensive paints that come in the little jars. You get great coverage out of them and some awesome colors and metallic effects. I did get the acrylic though to make it easier to clean up afterward

Princess Auto
Princess Auto has all sorts of cheap cool tools and surplus. Whenever I go there I buy more then I intend to.

Tweezer set – for holding small pieces when you paint them or apply them it helps to have something that can grab a small edge. For holding a finished surface dip them in hot wax before hand and let cool, it will scratch less then

Cutter – just a small snip tool for getting pieces off the mold.

Exacto knife – it was two dollars and useful before using files for material removal.
Alligator clip stand – with magnifying glass. You can place pieces here to glue them together or to hold them while painting fine details.


Myth Games
This is my buddy’s game shop of choice. His buddy owns and operates and it is where he goes to play. We went looking for a hand dremel but they didn’t have one. He did have

Pin set – When making models, especially custom models, glue isn’t always enough. What you do instead is drill small holes in places glue won’t hold and stick it with a pin or several to limit a degree of freedom. Usually you use the hand dremel to make the holes. I will have to get one at a later date.

Roll out Tool Box
For Christmas Gran gave me this box which rolls up and actually works great to section tools. I do have to keep an overstock box for extra material I am not using but I can keep all current materials for the model I am working on in here.

Manitowc box
This is a funny story, at work an engineer was needed to build a model crane for my boss Alex. Fred Yousif and I were tasked with the job and it was easy but all the lines took so much precision and we had to redo them several times. It was the most stressful day that I had ever had at work. At one point and much frustration later we had it all done, but realized one of the lines was off. We debated on redoing it, not wanting to open up that can of worms but in the end we decided if we were going to do it, we would do it right. Two hours after that we finished again. After the endeavor I asked to keep the box because I knew it would be great for modeling. This is where I will keep all the parts of the model I am currently working on, and work out of this box. The top of the box will also work as a work surface for spraying, gluing, and painting.

Models - The Challenge

Here is my challenge.

I used to make model cars. Old school hardtops, Chevelles, GTOs, Mustangs and the like. Then I was cruising the internet and I found these...

Serenity : http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=27428

BSG : http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=25801

Viper : http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=26171


And I suddenly became excited. My eyes got huge, my mind started racing about me doing this and so I decided that I am going to build some of my own. The center piece will be the Serenity, fully lit, fantastically detailed. The problem is it is going to take a lot of effort to get there. Think about it, detailed painting and texturing including rust and decal detail, wiring and LED lights, drilling holes. This is a lot of new skills that I will have to develop and knowing this I will be making some mistakes, so I rather do that on the less rare models. Not the garage kit made from a rapid prototype machine. So there will be an order to when I do the models, what skills I am developing and what I am looking to do with each one.

Here is the break down in order...

C3 Corvette - My dream car is a 68-72 C3 Corvette that I will completely strip down and rebuild to my specifications. I have a very keen mind of what I want this Corvette to look like too, and that is why I bought this model 2-3 years ago. I want to dress it up to look like my dream Corvette. The royal purple engine block, distributor, and differential. A dark green paint job and the light cream interior with purple threading. I want to make my dream car but in 1:25 scale. And in terms of detail I you to be able to see the stitching in the seats that are purple, I want it to feel like the car I dream of driving one day. In preperation for the following models I will make it with a simple led that lights up the rear lamps. I would try to do the headlights too if it weren't for the fact the car has flip up lights and on this model they are flipped down. Though maybe I could cut them and rejigger something from another kit. I will look into that.

BattleStar Galactica Viper MK II- This viper and the next model the Galactica I may do in reverse order but here is the plan. I may get a Voodoo FX lighting kit to light up the cockpit, helmet and engines of this ship. If I want to get really technical I may even try to find a lighting circuit that will make the engines flash like they are suppose to. Following some other model I have seen I want to add some piping and some battle details to the paint.

Battlestar Galactica - This is another kit after a show that I love. Heres the plan. From ACreations get the decals that are textured and have the individual plates of the galactica on it so I don't have to paint them, or they may be more detailed. Then I want to install the red running lights under the ship near the hangers, lights for the engine and lights in the hangers. As the series went on the Battlestar known as Galactica got more and more beat up and burned. I haven't decided on the level of damage yet but I do think that some damage will be required.

Firefly Serenity - I don't know what it is exactly but something about that show and movie is very comforting to me. Maybe it is the idea of Big Damn Heroes, or the way they talk, or the music, or how they are all a family, but something about that show makes me think of home. That is why the Serenity will be the centerpiece. I got this amazingly detailed kit that has various levels of customization including landing gear, shuttles docked or deployed, and arms sitting out to grasp them again. Most importantly to me, flaps on the rear engine that can be positioned at various angles. Right now, and this may change in the future but I am thinking having it in full burn position and lighting it accordingly. So the lighting will include all of the running lights and hopefully enough circuit boards to make them blink at regular intervals. A chase chip for the grav ring and lastly, a pulsing light cluster that beams light out the back like the ship would when it's fusion drives would engage. It won't have battle damage, but it will have rust between the plates. Fully piped with copper wire in place of the material in the kit and something that someone else did which is rivets on the body panels. It will be a thing of beauty.

Now I was chatting up some coworkers at the office and one of them offered the idea of making a model to fully capture the rust detail. I quite like this idea. I am imagining an old pick up painted as though it has rusted and seen better days and for practice, have it burned and battle damaged as well. This will likely be a feature after the Corvette.

Topics for next time will include modeling tools. In depth visual analysis of each model. And resources on techniques to make them. There is a plan in everything, and for these projects I will definitely need one going in

Later Days