Gift Ideas???

[smileygirlmel86]

Ok, so I will admit, I know next to nothing about models. My boyfriend is a really talented builder, though, and I am looking for some gift ideas for Christmas. I want something he can really use as a model builder, and I figured who better to ask for advice than the people on this forum? I think he actually posts on this forum, so hopefully he doesn't read this thread!

He builds a lot of muscle cars- he has been building a lot of 1/12 scale corvettes lately, and I know he is working on building a chevelle for his Father right now.

If you guys have any ideas- from kits to decals to anything else- anything that would be special, please let me know. I appreciate your help!

(Sorry, I know I used a lot of the smiley faces. I just think they are so cute!)

[tonioseven]

You must be Hawk312's girlfriend. I have no real gift ideas since he's quite an accomplished builder but try to find him another 1/12 kit perhaps

[MPWR]

Hard to say- it's difficult to pick hobby stuff for someone, unless you really know alot about who you're shopping for. Taste in model kits is a very person specific thing. If you knew that he really wanted a good kit of a classic Vette or a really nice airbrush, than we might be able to help you pick between options. But we'd really have to know what he already has or what he's likely to want- there's not much point in getting him an airbrush if he's already got one.

[freakray]

He builds a lot of 1/12 stuff - if he doesn't already have a lathe, but him one

[Enzoenvy1]

Originally Posted by freakray

He builds a lot of 1/12 stuff - if he doesn't already have a lathe, but him one

Damn and if that happens, I'll give you my number so you can tell my wife to do the same!

Does he have all the necessary painting supplies, eg, airbrush, compressor?
Does he talk about any specific cars like brands, eg, Porsche, Lotus, etc...
Does he ignore you too often to build his models, eg "in a minute hon".

Look for those things.

[smileygirlmel86]

Haha, I hear the "In a minute Hon" quite often. I always think it's worth it though when I see his models. He does such great work, yet is the most modest person you will ever meet.

What is a lathe? I need so much help, I know.

I am pretty sure that he doesn't have an airbrush, but I could be wrong. Are they costly? And where could I find one?

Does anyone know of anything I could get for him to help the paint dry faster on the models he builds? I know I have seen him put models in the microwave/stove before; I guess to help them dry faster. I think he could really benefit from something like that; if such a thing exists.

Enzoenvy, what is your wife's phone number? I will give her a call to give her the nudge she needs. Before you guys know it, all your wives/girlfriends will be posting on here, asking for advice.

Thanks for all the help! You guys are great, I can see why my boyfriend posts on here so much now!

[MPWR]

A lathe is a machine tool, which can be used for making parts for models. They tend to be very expensive, and are by no means necessary or commonplace for model builders. Ray was (likely) joking.

An airbrush is a paint spraying gun. If your boyfriend doesn't have one, than an airbrush likely would vastly improve his building- it's generally considered a 'must have' tool for serious modeling (although some people manage very well with just spray cans). An excellent airbrush and compressor can probably be had for around $200, and definitely less than $300. A great go to website for airbrushes is DixieArt.

If this is an option you think you/he would be interested in, I'm sure we can give you plenty of guidance for selecting an airbrush (much of it may actually be useful! ).

Some modelers use food dehydrators for speeding up paint drying- it's really about the only common tool used for this. The real trick in finding a dehydrator is selecting one in which a model car body will actually fit- this is even more difficult for 1/12 cars!

[freakray]

Originally Posted by MPWR

A lathe is a machine tool, which can be used for making parts for models. They tend to be very expensive, and are by no means necessary or commonplace for model builders. Ray was (likely) joking.

Yeah, that joke was pretty well concealed by the complete lack of smileys in my post.

[mn80228]

On the much less expensive side.....

There is a company that makes a model kit of the Firehawk.
I don't know if the kit is any good, and he may already have it, but just another idea....

[smileygirlmel86]

I actually thought about trying to build the model of the firehawk for him myself at one point... Sort of a 'gift from the heart' type thing. But as you guys can see, I am pretty ignorant to most of this model building stuff. So why not get him something he could actually use?

I don't think he has any models of the firehawk, but I think at one point I asked him why he didn't build one and I am pretty sure he said he was not too impressed with the kits. I could be wrong though (It happens once in a great while ). Does anyone know anything about the kits? Are they any good?

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by smileygirlmel86

I actually thought about trying to build the model of the firehawk for him myself at one point... Sort of a 'gift from the heart' type thing.

Sounds like a sweet idea- we'll just have to start you off with an airbrush and a lathe, so you can do it right!

[smileygirlmel86]

Originally Posted by MPWR

Sounds like a sweet idea- we'll just have to start you off with an airbrush and a lathe, so you can do it right!

You buying the lathe? Haha.

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by smileygirlmel86

You buying the lathe? Haha.

Sorry- still broke from buying my own!

But seriously- if he has any interest in lathes & mills at all, York just happens to have a terrific event next month for hobby machinists. Cabin Fever Expo is probably the very best machining show on the east coast- it's definitely worth an afternoon.

[Murray Kish]

Some suggestions:

If you're looking for 'stocking stuffer' type stuff, then I'd suggest getting good quality tools:
- Nicholson makes good quality files, but they're not cheap. You don't need the huge ones, but I find that the 8" long are just right. You can get flat ones, round ones, triangle, square, etc. Most model builders have 'mini' files which are great for getting into corners and stuff, but I use my 8" files a lot. I have had lots of cheapo files and I think they're crap.
- He could probably use some nail buffers (seriously). Mine are usually anywhere from 100 to about 220 grit. A good selection of these is handy.
- A polishing kit. He likely uses polishing cloths/pads lot if he's making shiny cars. You can usually find these in a hobby store and usually come with small (about 3" x 5") polishing cloths with several grits (3200, 3600, 4000, 6000, 8000, 12000 or something like that)
- Pretty much any tool or product with the Tamiya brand name on it is decent. It's not usually cheap stuff, but generally it's pretty good. Putties, glues, wax, polishing compound, masking tape, etc. All these would make good little gifts that can add up to lots of $.
- magazine subscription - does he read model mags? Perhaps a subscription to one of the ones he buys most often?

If he doesn't have an airbrush, that can make a nice gift. But he may not actually want one if he doesn't have one already. Check that one out because some people just prefer to use spray cans and don't have the patience to clean an airbrush after every use. Again though, go for a quality brand like Badger or Iwata (there's others too, but generally these two brands are good.) You'll likely want to look for a 'double-action' airbrush which is usually a bit more money, but usually preferred. A 'single action' is fine too, just that the double is usually nicer to use with more control.

Yes, lathe would be definitely a VERY nice present if you like him really really lots...

Good luck!

(Hawk, if this is your girl, then you're one lucky dude....)

Murray

[smileygirlmel86]

I was asking him if he had an airbrush last night. He doesn't have one, but it turns out he doesn't want one. He says he prefers the spray cans, and thinks they do a better job than the airbrushes.

He also admitted that he found this thread. Apparently he looks on these forums every morning before he goes to work. Oops. I made him promise not to look anymore.

You guys have given me a lot of great ideas. I think he could get a lot out of going to a model building show, so that cabin fever expo sounds like a good possibility.

The stocking stuffers were good ideas too... I was just hoping to be able to get him one big gift (Less likely for me to mess it up!) And the magazine subscription he may already have...I'll have to check. I know he has a lot of older model magazines acting as coasters right now! Haha.

And maybe I will let him see this thread after all... Especially the part where Murray says: " (Hawk, if this is your girl, then you're one lucky dude....)".