Jump to content

My First try at Model Building in Almost 40 Years


mikie
 Share

Recommended Posts

Encouraged by the wonderful work of folks here like Manny- ArtyScout, among many here on the forum, and buddy Frank, who is not, I decided to attempt building my first model since about 1980. I recently acquired a relic of a Butler Class destroyer escort so made that my subject. I thought that starting off with a relatively inexpensive and small scale model would be the safest way to go. Now that I have it, I'm not too sure this was the way to go.

post-2687-0-87669000-1582923582_thumb.jpg

 

Here is the kit, a Skywave in 700 scale. I was happily surprised to find that there are 2 complete sets of parts in the kit. If I screw up, I have spare parts! Or I can build my own flotilla! Frank refuses to call me Commodore. The Rudderow and Butler classes are nearly the same externally, and the kit allows to build as either.

 

I am not expecting to build any kind of detailed masterpiece, but hope to have a little fun with this. Much to my surprise, I have found myself a bit intimidated by it and have been approaching working on it as if it was a live rattlesnake.

 

More stuff to follow.

 

Mikie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I may ask for a little sage advice here and there. For example, here is my collection of tools I gathered to build the kit. Please let me know if I am missing anything you think I may need.

 

post-2687-0-38698000-1582923817_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I may ask for a little sage advice here and there. For example, here is my collection of tools I gathered to build the kit. Please let me know if I am missing anything you think I may need.

 

attachicon.gifModel equipment.jpg

Hi Mikie, you're good to go. That blow torch is all you need. Melts the plastic parts together beautifully. ^_^

 

On a serious note: a sprue cutter would be handy and some fine grit sandpaper is always useful

 

Rene.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

BILL THE PATCH

With all your tools , all I see missing is the garbage can for what's left after you finished with the blow torch. JK, good luck I wish I could build a model again, my fat fingers mixed with my arthritis, nothing would look good.

 

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I may ask for a little sage advice here and there. For example, here is my collection of tools I gathered to build the kit. Please let me know if I am missing anything you think I may need.

 

attachicon.gifModel equipment.jpg

 

Firecrackers for the completed project! At least that's what happened to my Navy. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ha! I haven't built a model in many years myself, but one thing I always had handy were toothpicks. Great for tiny dots of paint, stirring paint, small dabs of glue, removing paint off clear pieces, tons of uses.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ive been giving this considerable thought. There are two items that you may wish to add.

1. Well stocked first aid kit

2. A phone with 911 on speed dial.

 

Other than that, I think you are good to go!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone! Sounds like I won't need the dynamite afterall. I'll try to get back on it while watching the San Jose Sharks play tonight. Any idea if tears of sorrow falling on the model with hurt it any?

 

Mikie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone! Sounds like I won't need the dynamite afterall. I'll try to get back on it while watching the San Jose Sharks play tonight. Any idea if tears of sorrow falling on the model with hurt it any?

 

Mikie

Nope, it's a sea-going vessel so it should be able to cope with some salt water................. :D

 

Rene

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In all seriousness Mikie, Im looking forward to seeing the results. Ive started to look for a kit to build too. The last one I built was in the 1980s!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

700 scale may have been a mistake. The parts is just way too small. I too have arthritis, and maneuvering some of parts into position is a little tricky. I do a fair amount of tiny circuit board rework for my job, but a 0402 resistor seems huge compared to these little AA guns. Maybe I should borrow my work microscope. I think it may be easier to glue the barrels to the mounts while the mounts are still on the tree. I'll give it a try.

 

On the bright side, at the end of 2nd period, Sharks are up by 3! Maybe I should have tried model building during games earlier in the season.

 

Mikie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Mikie, I see you have all your tools, and you have the most important item. The First Aid Bag/Kit. You just never know when the blow torch goes haywire or the hammer hits the wrong 'nails'.

Seriously, I hope my websites helped and I'll be looking forward to any progress posts. Good luck!

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was able to spend an hour or two on the DE on Saturday night. And I learned a few things...

- My painting technique needs a lot of work. I was never that great a modeler, and 40 years absence hasn't improved it one bit.

- I bought one of the wrong shades of gray for the hull dazzle paint job. I'm beginning to HATE dazzle camouflage.

- I really miss D&J Hobby Shop! It was the last good nearby hobby shop and it closed down a couple of years ago. The Train Shop has some paints, but they are closed on Sundays. Michael's didn't have the shade I needed, but they have a great store name.

- My gluing technique needs a lot of work. I have a bad tendency to use too much. Gotta take it easy!

- I was having a hard time handling some of the smaller pieces. I figured out sometimes it is better to glue 2 small parts together while one of them is still connected to the tree.

- There is one item for my tool kit you folks never mentioned I would need...

Mikie

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mikie,

 

Sounds like you made great progress!

 

Please keep us posted and good luck. Seems as if we have all enjoyed your project.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I was able to spend an hour or two on the DE on Saturday night. And I learned a few things...

- My painting technique needs a lot of work. I was never that great a modeler, and 40 years absence hasn't improved it one bit.

- I bought one of the wrong shades of gray for the hull dazzle paint job. I'm beginning to HATE dazzle camouflage.

- I really miss D&J Hobby Shop! It was the last good nearby hobby shop and it closed down a couple of years ago. The Train Shop has some paints, but they are closed on Sundays. Michael's didn't have the shade I needed, but they have a great store name.

- My gluing technique needs a lot of work. I have a bad tendency to use too much. Gotta take it easy!

- I was having a hard time handling some of the smaller pieces. I figured out sometimes it is better to glue 2 small parts together while one of them is still connected to the tree.

- There is one item for my tool kit you folks never mentioned I would need...

Mikie

 

 

Hey Mikie, from what you've posted it seems like you're learning some things. We all went thru what you're going thru now. As for the use of too much glue, try putting the glue on toothpicks when you only need a small amount. Also when it comes to painting the dazzle, work from lighter to darker. Hey I believe we are ALL pulling for you. Keep the faith!

 

Semper Fi.

 

Manny

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks again for all the encouragement. I am in awe of the skills shown by folks around here and totally enjoy seeing the posts of kits being built. There is absolutely no way I can come close to matching the results I see around here. Despite feeling a higher level of anxiety than expected, I have been enjoying myself with the kit. So far, anyway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...