New and interested

WoW!! I've been browsing and lurking around and man.. some of you guys have skills. I dont have any models or the tools for it. I have 3 die cast models and those are a 1999 dodge viper gts, 2003 corvette zo6, and a 1998 dodge viper rt/10. I have a few questions and if it wouldn't be a bother maybe some of you could answer them.

1) What size do the timiya kits come in? 1/18 or 1/24?
2) What is a good kit to start of with for a noobie
3) How much does it cost /approx to do one kit
4) Do I really need to purchase alot of tools or is it just a few items

Oh and also.. Ive seen some car model kits around in real life and i've noticed that all the parts are just attached together and you have to cut them out of the plastic sheet i guess.. how do you know what to cut out..? I think that's where I might get confused if I do decide to try this hobby out :)

Thanks

-Arthur

1) What size do the timiya kits come in? 1/18 or 1/24?
> All the cars from Tamiya Sports Car series are in 1/24 scale. Formula 1 cars are in 1/20 scale. And collector's club specials, which are semi-assembled die-cast metal display models, are in 1/12 scale. Also the rest, like the Master Coachwork and Racing Car Series, are 1/12 scale too. I think most of the models that we are working on and talking here on AF are in 1/24 and 1/20 scale.

2) What is a good kit to start of with for a noobie
> For me, I would recommend the Tamiya VW New Beetle. It was my first model car project, after reading up tons of tips and techniques from all the friendly folks around here, and have "psyche" myself to be motivated enough. The VW New Beetle has not too many parts yet its simplicity is also quite challenging. Btw, I luv the New Beetle. So it is also important that the end resulf is that the car that you have built will make you feel satisfied.

3) How much does it cost /approx to do one kit
> I dunno for sure. But I have spent a bomb to build up all the necessary tools and paints in the course of months.

4) Do I really need to purchase alot of tools or is it just a few items
> I think some time ago there was a photo gallery display of AF member's worktops.

how do you know what to cut out..?
> This is quite easy even though they WILL BE times when I have cut off the wrong part. But it's something like happening once per 500 chances. I hope someone else here can give a "pictorial instructions" for you. Or a better answer.

1. i pretty sure they come in both(not sure just wait for replies)
2. a kit without an engine (standered curb) to it and a fujimi kit because they are cheap(ull most likely to stuff it up(everyone fails first try), about 1,000 yen off hlj ( www.hlj.com )
3. wait for replies
4. wait for replies

assembly all i can say is read the instructions and each piece is numbered. tools, all u really need to start b4 getting all fancy is paint,razor knife, paint brushes, glue;either model or super glue, and some sand paper.

1. Tamiya come in 1/24 and 1/20 (military vehicle come in 1/35)
2. Any good curbside kit should fair you well. Dont spend too much because chances are something major will go wrong on your first kit.(Im sure its happened to all of us)
3. Depends on how much you buy. When I first started I spent 60 bucks on paint, glue ect..
4. Just make sure you get and exacto knife. Those things are amazing.

Welcome to AF

The absolutely greatest thing here about AF are the fantastic folks around. There is also a culture of positive encouragements and motivations.

You'll learn tons just by hanging around here. Don't forget to read the FAQs for newbies.

Btw, WELCOME TO AF!

1) What size do the timiya kits come in? 1/18 or 1/24?
Tamiya Cars: 1/24
Tamiya F1: 1/20
Tamiya Bike: 1/12
There is some special one that cost a lot:
Tamiya Cars & F1 : 1/12
Tamiya bike 1/6
Revell make 1/24 and 1/25 car
There is also few 1/12
Fujimi & Aoshima are 1/24
Fujimi Enthusiast are 1/16

2) What is a good kit to start of with for a noobie
Well Tamiya are all easy kit cos they are well made, but I would say any car that don't have engin. Personally, I started with a Subaru STI WRC and a Peugeot 206 WRC

3) How much does it cost /approx to do one kit
The kit itself is 10$ to 35$US. Add to thise about 10$ of paint (for newbee, could be more). The kit that cost me the more is a 1/16 (huge) Fujimi Ferrari F40 Lm. it was 50$Us + about 15$ of paint.

4) Do I really need to purchase alot of tools or is it just a few items
Well, to get a good result you need at least:
1. a very sharp exacto knife 10$ for a set of 4 in sale
2. a Cutter would be usefull too, but not needed. 3$
3. Glue. you will need some clear glue (not in tube) 3$
4. Paint.. you will need few color to start.. be ready to spend about 25$ or more, but those paint will be good for few model
5. Some fine brush (3$ each)
6. Some wide brush (3$ for 4)
7. If you can find a Gundam Black Marker, but them. it will be so usefull.
8. Paint Thinner (if you have Tamiya paint, you will need Tamiya Thiner, Testor paint, testor thiner etc..) (2$ to 7$)

Thing you need but don'T cost anything:
1. A clean place to built.
2. A Clean place to spray paint the body (don't do this in your bedroom, your mom/wife will kill you)
3. A lot of patience.. the key is to take your time and never rush.

Oh and also.. Ive seen some car model kits around in real life and i've noticed that all the parts are just attached together and you have to cut them out of the plastic sheet i guess.. how do you know what to cut out..? I think that's where I might get confused if I do decide to try this hobby out :)
Once you will have a Tamiya kit, and looked at the instruction sheets, you will know. you can't go wrong there.

so to start modelling, you need a rught 70$ or 100$
the first kit cost a lot, but once you have all your paint and tools, the price per kit go down.

With a Tamiya Spraycan, you can paint 2 kit easily (maybe 3 if you are lucky) a Tamiya Paint bottle (for brush) will last you 4 to 20 kits (flat black last me less than this cos I use it a lot) only thing you need to buy every 2 kit or so are Brush and few more paint (1 or 2 color + a spraycan)

1) What size do the timiya kits come in? 1/18 or 1/24?
Tamiya Cars: 1/24
Tamiya F1: 1/20
Tamiya Bike: 1/12
There is some special one that cost a lot:
Tamiya Cars & F1 : 1/12
Tamiya bike 1/6
Revell make 1/24 and 1/25 car
There is also few 1/12
Fujimi & Aoshima are 1/24
Fujimi Enthusiast are 1/16

2) What is a good kit to start of with for a noobie
Well Tamiya are all easy kit cos they are well made, but I would say any car that don't have engin. Personally, I started with a Subaru STI WRC and a Peugeot 206 WRC

3) How much does it cost /approx to do one kit
The kit itself is 10$ to 35$US. Add to thise about 10$ of paint (for newbee, could be more). The kit that cost me the more is a 1/16 (huge) Fujimi Ferrari F40 Lm. it was 50$Us + about 15$ of paint.

4) Do I really need to purchase alot of tools or is it just a few items
Well, to get a good result you need at least:
1. a very sharp exacto knife 10$ for a set of 4 in sale
2. a Cutter would be usefull too, but not needed. 3$
3. Glue. you will need some clear glue (not in tube) 3$
4. Paint.. you will need few color to start.. be ready to spend about 25$ or more, but those paint will be good for few model
5. Some fine brush (3$ each)
6. Some wide brush (3$ for 4)
7. If you can find a Gundam Black Marker, but them. it will be so usefull.
8. Paint Thinner (if you have Tamiya paint, you will need Tamiya Thiner, Testor paint, testor thiner etc..) (2$ to 7$)

Thing you need but don'T cost anything:
1. A clean place to built.
2. A Clean place to spray paint the body (don't do this in your bedroom, your mom/wife will kill you)
3. A lot of patience.. the key is to take your time and never rush.

Oh and also.. Ive seen some car model kits around in real life and i've noticed that all the parts are just attached together and you have to cut them out of the plastic sheet i guess.. how do you know what to cut out..? I think that's where I might get confused if I do decide to try this hobby out :)
Once you will have a Tamiya kit, and looked at the instruction sheets, you will know. you can't go wrong there.

so to start modelling, you need a rught 70$ or 100$
the first kit cost a lot, but once you have all your paint and tools, the price per kit go down.

With a Tamiya Spraycan, you can paint 2 kit easily (maybe 3 if you are lucky) a Tamiya Paint bottle (for brush) will last you 4 to 20 kits (flat black last me less than this cos I use it a lot) only thing you need to buy every 2 kit or so are Brush and few more paint (1 or 2 color + a spraycan)Wow thanks alot. I went out and bought the Peugeot 206 WRC. I bought paint brushes.. exacto knife.. clear glue.. black timiya paint ( for brush ) and yellow tamiya paint for car body + paint thiner. I'm going to start on sunday when it's nice and quiet and i have time to myself. Thanks for the great tips and help to all :)

Have fun! Remember if you have any questions refer to the FAQ.

Wow thanks alot. I went out and bought the Peugeot 206 WRC. I bought paint brushes.. exacto knife.. clear glue.. black timiya paint ( for brush ) and yellow tamiya paint for car body + paint thiner. I'm going to start on sunday when it's nice and quiet and i have time to myself. Thanks for the great tips and help to all :)

tamiya paint for car body ?

You talking about Tamiya pray can ? (TS) ? don't paint the body with brush, it's the worst thing you can do. (unless for details like windows trims)

also, you will need few more color, maybe red, gold and silver (bottle for brush) then you should be ok for a start

remeber, don't rush.. if it'S not fully dry, don't tutch anything.

if you need advice in the progress of your model, you will find a lot of help here

tamiya paint for car body ?

You talking about Tamiya pray can ? (TS) ? don't paint the body with brush, it's the worst thing you can do. (unless for details like windows trims)

also, you will need few more color, maybe red, gold and silver (bottle for brush) then you should be ok for a start

remeber, don't rush.. if it'S not fully dry, don't tutch anything.

if you need advice in the progress of your model, you will find a lot of help hereIts the spray can.. I decided not to detail the interior so much. I'm getting a digicam soon so I will be able to put up a progress thread :D

I decided not to detail the interior so much.

why not ? get 1 other color for interior (maybe flat red) and do it. it's easy

oh, and I odn't remember if Peugeot have Red clear part for rear light, if not get yourselft Tamiya Clearn paint bottle, this one will be usefull and will last for a lot of model (I have over 40 model done with 1 bottle)