The Progressive Post

**Maglar** · April 1st, 2009 2:55 PM

Hey guys, I really want to make this thread the main one where people come and post pictures of new stuff they have recently learned and can get direct feedback if it has worked or needs more attention. As we are all learning, especially me, we need that one location where all the experts have given their opinion. If this thread already exists move it.

I'll start us off with my seam work, I have struggled with it and got many great tips from you guys here. I have used the sideways motion with my nail filer and sand technique for these two projects. The stuka came out great on the top but needs some putty / filler on the bottom right and I sanded more under the nose. Here are my pictures of my attempt, would love the feedback. I have not used primer on either yet also.

**Maglar** · April 1st, 2009 3:00 PM

Here is my 54mm horse which came in two halves, I used the same technique as above. He has a chip on his lower neck but the saddle will be covering that up.

**Freightshaker** · April 1st, 2009 9:42 PM

I would invest in a set of sanding sticks. Squadron Mail Order has a great set. They range from coarse all the way down to a burnishing tool.

Another good investment is a set of small needle files. They're great for getting into places normal tools can't.

**Geek44** · April 2nd, 2009 1:55 AM

I'm not disagreeing with Freight here per se...God knows he knows his stuff when it comes to modelling, but I find files too coarse and they scar the surface terribly. Of course that might be my technique. However, the needle files are very useful as he said. I wrap my wet and dry paper around them to get into those hard to sand areas. I have some crappy old ones I use when I sand wet. I don't want my 'good' files to rust.
Peace.

**Geek44** · April 2nd, 2009 2:06 AM

Mag, the third pic from the top showing the underside of the tail of your Stuka represents what I believe will be your biggest challenge here as far as seams go. The seam itself appears to be in a depression and will require that depression to be filled out to conform with the curve of the fuselage...resulting in a loss of detail. Another tough one might be the edges of the radiator intake at the front too. I usually tackle edges like that in two or three hits.
Peace.

**Aussie Dave** · April 2nd, 2009 3:29 AM

Originally Posted by Maglar

Hey guys, I really want to make this thread the main one where people come and post pictures of new stuff they have recently learned and can get direct feedback if it has worked or needs more attention. As we are all learning, especially me, we need that one location where all the experts have given their opinion. If this thread already exists move it.

I'll start us off with my seam work, I have struggled with it and got many great tips from you guys here. I have used the sideways motion with my nail filer and sand technique for these two projects. The stuka came out great on the top but needs some putty / filler on the bottom right and I sanded more under the nose. Here are my pictures of my attempt, would love the feedback. I have not used primer on either yet also.

Yikes!!... You want some advice?

Put that

"Box Cutter" I can see in your photos back in the tool box and get a

"Hobby Knife" Set for yourself.

They don't cost too much money, depending on the brand and how many pieces (different type blades.) there are of course, but a basic set is a "Must Have" for any modeller.

Of course this one would be a better set to have and at USD$15.00 isn't much considering the lifetime of use you would get out of it.

(It even has a nice wooden case instead of a plastic one.)

IMHO as a modeller a knife set is the most important tool/s to have for modelling styrene kits.

Cheers,
Dave

**Geek44** · April 2nd, 2009 5:19 AM

Crikey Dave, that's posh. I have a scalpel handle. It can accommodate many kinds of blade but I use straight ones mostly. I keep the odd curved one around for emergencies. At 70 cents a blade it's pretty cheap.
Nice sets though, I still have the remains of a similar one my Dad had. Wooden box and a couple of handles you can't get blades for anymore. It even has a small plane that fits in the palm of the hand...never used it.
Peace.

**Aussie Dave** · April 2nd, 2009 7:45 AM

Originally Posted by Geek44

Crikey Dave, that's posh. I have a scalpel handle. It can accommodate many kinds of blade but I use straight ones mostly. I keep the odd curved one around for emergencies. At 70 cents a blade it's pretty cheap.
Nice sets though, I still have the remains of a similar one my Dad had. Wooden box and a couple of handles you can't get blades for anymore. It even has a small plane that fits in the palm of the hand...never used it.
Peace.

At only $15.00 I wouldn't call it posh, but it is a nice set.
(What do you spend money wise on a single model kit?)

Yeah the scalpel handles all seem pretty universal when it comes to fitting different blades and I can't imagine removing the flash from figures without that nice long pointy blade to get into the nooks and crannies.

I used to have a blade like a sickle that was brilliant for taking the flash off along the curved surfaces when the two halves of the fuselage are joined.
(It came with the set I bought 20+ years ago, but it isn't sold here as an individual item.)

Your dad's set sounds like its more for wood working seeing it has a plane included.
Curious, does it have any carving type tools in it?

Cheers,
Dave

**Maglar** · April 2nd, 2009 9:46 AM

"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..

**MAGNA** · April 2nd, 2009 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Aussie Dave

Originally Posted by Maglar

Hey guys, I really want to make this thread the main one where people come and post pictures of new stuff they have recently learned and can get direct feedback if it has worked or needs more attention. As we are all learning, especially me, we need that one location where all the experts have given their opinion. If this thread already exists move it.

I'll start us off with my seam work, I have struggled with it and got many great tips from you guys here. I have used the sideways motion with my nail filer and sand technique for these two projects. The stuka came out great on the top but needs some putty / filler on the bottom right and I sanded more under the nose. Here are my pictures of my attempt, would love the feedback. I have not used primer on either yet also.

Yikes!!... You want some advice?

Put that

"Box Cutter" I can see in your photos back in the tool box and get a

"Hobby Knife" Set for yourself.

They don't cost too much money, depending on the brand and how many pieces (different type blades.) there are of course, but a basic set is a "Must Have" for any modeller.

Of course this one would be a better set to have and at USD$15.00 isn't much considering the lifetime of use you would get out of it.

(It even has a nice wooden case instead of a plastic one.)

IMHO as a modeller a knife set is the most important tool/s to have for modelling styrene kits.

Cheers,
Dave

Cool. That set in the blue box is the type I get. $3.00 last time. Unfortunately I have broken one handle and two blades in only four years or so. This set doesn't qualify as a lifetime investment for that reason but price wise it's excellent value.