Most people have heard about or know someone who's build plastic models, usually it’s someone older like your Grandpa or maybe even your dad, or you’ve seen models in the local museum you visited on a school trip, a weekend out with family, friends, or even online.
I'm one of those old people, who started building plastic models over 40 years ago. Just saying that makes me feel old, but to tell you the truth, it’s a hobby that keeps you young at heart. Almost everyone can build a model, even if you’ve never done it before. Over those 40 years, I've made some of my best friends, had some of the best laughs ever, seen some of the worst models ever created by human hands, and seen some of the most amazing jaw-dropping models anywhere in the world, including the models made for the original Star Trek TV show, and the models built for the first 3 Star Wars movies.
After exhibiting, competing, and then judging many modeling shows in North America and other countries. There’re 2 things I’ve notice that all these modellers have in common, and that’s the love and passion for either the thing that they’re modeling, or a love and passion for simply making something with their hands that they can be proud of, and then share with all their friends. So if you’ve seen it, heard about it, or can imagine it, you probably can find a plastic model of it.
Traditionally, plastic modeling’s purpose was to just make a smaller scale version of the real thing. Such as a 1/24 scale model of a real car or airplane, which would mean it would take 24 of your finished model laid end to end to add up to the real size car or airplane. The ‘bigger’ the number is, such as 1/24, 1/35, 1/72 the ‘smaller’ the model is, and the more of them you’ll need to add up to equal the actual size of the real thing you’re making a model of.
Some people think you have to break or rob the bank to get started in plastic modeling, but actually after buying a few basic hand tools, which you will probably never have to buy again , unless your mom takes them away from you like mine did when I was 12 so I wouldn’t injure myself. After I bought them again I started hiding them. Only my dad and I knew where they were; and oh, our dog knew as well, because he kept following me everywhere. As I got older and my mom gave up, I finally had my own tool box.
The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out what kind of model you want to make. I went from building cars, to ships, to tanks, to people or figures, then to everything at once called dioramas, mostly because I couldn’t decide on just one thing to build, and I just liked building things. Dioramas are like an art painting, but in 3/D model form. If you’re not sure what to make, I suggest going to your local hobby store or going on their website, take your time and just look around. Even if you’re not yet sure what you’re interested in, you’ll be surprised when something catches your eye, or rather your heart. That’s where the love comes in. You might have been thinking of building a car, but then a model of the HMS Victory ship grabs you, or you were interested in building a particular military aircraft like the legendary Supermarine Spitfire until you see a smaller Cessna civilian plane that you always wanted to pilot one day. That’s the passion part. Don’t let anyone tell you what to build. If you don’t like it in the beginning, you probably won’t want to finish it later.
Once you’ve chosen your model, the next step is to gather a few basic necessary tools to get you started. Most model kits today list what you’ll need in the instructions, or you can just ask the friendly people working at Hobby Sense, they’ll be happy to help you. You can buy your basic tools individually or as a complete set which includes your basic hobby knife, a general purpose file, and an entry level pair of plastic sprue snippers. Some sets even come with a small cutting matt to protect the table or desk you’ll be working on. As time goes by and you develop more skills and interests, there are other tools you will need or want. Other than that, you’ll need some glue that’s made just for plastic models, and a few good quality paint brushes, all of which I’ll go into more detail in another blog to be done soon, along with all that you’ll need to know about model glues and paints.
Other than these tools, all you’ll really need is a small place to do your modeling work, like a desk or even the kitchen table. The ultimate work place is to have your own space, somewhere private that you can work with your tunes on, or your favorite hobby shop’s website on your monitor. We all need inspiration, so keep an eye out for things like books, and websites that inspire you. You’ll know them when you find and see them. I’m a big fan of online tutorials, but try to avoid the trap of spending all your modeling time watching tutorials and not building your model. I promise you, you’ll learn more by building than by watching. So, use them for inspiration, not procrastination.
The last thing you’ll need is good lighting, not only to safely see what you’re doing, but to avoid shadows on your work, and to correctly check paint colors. There are 100’s of lamps out there to choose from, but all you really need is a good strong cool-white light placed so that there’s no distracting shadows on your work area or any stray light shining in your eyes.
That’s about it for now, just remember to have fun, work patiently , safely, and know you’ve just taken the first step into a world that you can truly call your own, grow as much, and as fast as you want. Always read the model kit instructions completely before you start, so you’ll know what you have to do and in what order, along with what you’ll need or don’t need, and always remember, Hobby Sense is here for you!