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[Aussie Dave]

"Box Cutter" Lol! I only use it for cutting things off the spruce rack and removing excess plastic, I can handle my blade mate.

I will look into it..

Sorry Mag, I have to tell you this mate...

A "Spruce" is a type of coniferous evergreen tree in the Family Pinaceae.
The framework around the parts of the model is called the "Sprue/s."

As for removing the parts from a sprue with a box cutter.
I don't know how others do it here, but I snip the parts off leaving some of the sprue on the part and carefully trim it down flush later with a scalpel.

I do it this way so I don't accidentally create a divot in the part where the sprue joined on to it, that will then need to be filled.

Believe me when I say for modelling, a box cutter is no where near as good as a sharp scalpel is for control.



Cheers,
Dave

[Maglar]

I was between sprue and spruce but a red line goes under sprue when you type it so I took a bad hint. Whatevs, you understood me.

[Aussie Dave]

I was between sprue and spruce but a red line goes under sprue when you type it so I took a bad hint. Whatevs, you understood me.

Ahh, I see.

Never trust "Spell Checker" mate, it lies.
(Or it can't spell.)



Cheers,
Dave

[Freightshaker]

Ahhh, I didn't notice the utility knife.

I do more shaping and molding with my #11 blade than I do with needle files or sanding sticks (BTW Nick, the set has 5 different grits, I can polish canopies with the finest one). Not only can you use the sharp edge, the flat edge works just as well for scraping seams. I've had my old handle for about 20 + years , it's too comfortable to even think of getting a new one.

[Geek44]

Yes Dave, it was a wood working set but whatever works I say.
At $15.00 that set looks like excellent value to be sure and you're right, most of the kits I buy are around the sixty buck mark unless I buy from eBay.
If you find (as most of us already have) that modelling is 'your thing', then I feel it's appropriate to get the best tools you can afford. Cheap tools are a false economy and they also deny you something that I think is important...bear with me here, it's a bit 'weird'. When we evacuated because of the bushfires, I packed up both my airbrushes, my scalpel and my tweezers. The airbrushes because they were darned expensive but the tweezers and scalpel because they're my friends. I've had those tools for over twenty years and I can't imagine using any others. I'd feel like I was 'cheating'. I think one develops a rapport and relationship with certain tools and that's an important factor to me. Cheap tools just don't last long enough.
Peace.

[Aussie Dave]

Thats right Scott, you can't do without the old trusty No. 11 Blade.
(It's the blade that gets the most use by me.)



And Nick,

I agree that buying better quality tools is preferable, but I don't think the difference between the expensive brand hobby knives and the cheaper ones rates buying the dearer ones.

The blades will lose their sharpness over time and need to be replaced regardless of what set you buy or how much money it cost you.

I look at tools objectively, if its reliable and does the job its intended for, who cares if its a cheaper brand.

For example, I've got a mate who will only buy DeWALT power tools and nothing else.
Now I think DeWALT tools are fantastic, but considering the amount of use they get with him (which isn't often.), I myself can't justify the cost.
My Ryobi drill works just as well as his DeWALT drill, only mine was a damn sight cheaper to buy than his.
(My drill even gets more use than his does.)

Now if he was a Tradesman or he used them daily thats a different story.


Cheers,
Dave

[Geek44]

Welll I think that's true too Dave. There was a guy at my modelling club who bought a Chinese knock-off airbrush at Auto Barn for fifty bucks...said it was the best airbrush he'd ever used.
I guess there's a danger that with some tools, the cheap ones don't quite cut the mustard and so we may not be able to achieve the results we want. This can be discouraging for younger modellers.
I knew a guy who owned five cars and only bought tools by 'Snap-On' or 'Star Willie' (I've never heard of Star Willie but he assured me they were 'the best tools money could buy). In the end, it turned out that he'd struggle to change a spark plug without the manual. I think the point was more about the fact that he was a 'collector' of tools rather than a user of tools. I understand that even though I don't see the point.
Peace.

[Maglar]

Light coat of primer, id say not bad! The top edges of the wings need some love..

[RAF Liberators]

I see seams on the leading edges!!!! There are also only 13 bolt heads on the fuselage stub when there should be 15

[Geek44]

I see those seams too but you have to admit...he's getting better very fast eh? Nice one Mag...keep at it. You'll appreciate your own results if you do.
Peace.