Tamiya 1/24 Mazda Miata - New to the hobby

Hey y'all, how's it going? I am new here obviously and just wanted to say hi and tell you guys what an awesome forum this is! I just purchased my first kit, the tamiya 1/24th Mazda Miata. I picked this because it is the the car I learned how to drive on and my father and I spent many hours driving around in it. I want to keep the paint black and the interior black as well just like my fathers. That's where the similarities will end, I want to go lower, not slammed, and no crazy camber, but aggressive with wider wheels. I want to scratch build a nice dual tip muffler and then possibly try and do a spoiler if I can find one. I also want to scratch build a roll bar for the car.

I know this is my first build but I figure hey why not try and have fun with it. And if it doesn't work out then just stick to the normal look.

That being said. I am going to be starting the kit next week. List of things to purchase as of right now is sand paper, exacto knife, and tweezers. I am going to build up supplies as I go along and make sure I don't buy things I don't need. I am not on a crazy budget per say but I don't want to spend 140 when I could spend 60.

In the future I am going to need to know where to buy rims. Preferably 16 inch bbs Rs with beefy tires. The spoiler will also need to be purchased and the roll cage fabricated so I am sure I will have questions on those. The muffler I going to think more on. I want twin angle cut pipes coming of of the bumper at a slight angle. So I will probably have to widen the exhaust cut out if this kit has one.

Thanks for any help guys. Pics will come soon.

I suppose I should have made the title "Tamiya 1/24 Mazda Miata- new to hobby" as I will be using this as my build thread.

I suppose I should have made the title "Tamiya 1/24 Mazda Miata- new to hobby" as I will be using this as my build thread.

Fixed it for you :)

Welcome to the craziness. :bananasmi

Thank you kind sir for the change and the welcome!

Hey guys, quick update. Got the kit open and read the directions and studied all the parts before I did anything. I was a little unsure of where to start because the directions said to start on suspension but as I plan to lower the car and haven't figure out how to do that yet I didn't want to start there. So I cut out the chassis and the interior cabin module. I am learning quickly but going slow to make sure I can fix any mistakes I make. I am filing down the tree stems and trying to make the parts as good as I can. I think I will start on the body soon and start sanding it down and getting ready for paint.

I took some pictures and I will post them tonight. Again any help or suggestions would be appreciated so feel free to chime in!

I am trying to think of materials to fabricate the dual tip exhaust from but struggling to figure out what would be best right now. Might have to go to the hardware store!

Promised pics

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8490068745_2ec5c4e300_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8252/8491156456_938b7f3f8d_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8491164058_6063dc250a_b.jpg

Tube glue oh my... Well, put a dab in a bottle cap and apply it to the parts with a tooth pick and you'll do fine.
You'll also find a half round file much more useful. That, a four way nail file and some very fine sandpaper is a good start on your hobby tools.

yeah I was bummed about the tube glue, but the guy said that I should put some on wax paper and then administer from there and I figured I would run with it! got a couple other files, not in the picture though. I am pumped this is a lot of fun!

good luck. Never use the glue from the container itself always put some on a scrap piece of paper and use a tooth pick to apply. Try a super glue or a 2 part epoxy which tend to have more uses and IMO are better.

I don't think many people use that tube glue anymore. I use liquid applied with a micro brush, liquid & gel type super glue, as well as a couple others. For scratch building materials you can get some sheets as well as assorted tubes & rods. I'm no scratch building pro, but having this stuff on hand has been useful.
Oh, I keep lots of toothpicks & fresh blades around too!