Modelling on the cheap

So im not sure if this topic has been posted before but since im a frugile modeller it does interest me quit a bit.

In the short time I've been modelling I have found a few tricks in using household items instead of ready made items from the hobby shop (or in my case the net). So if you have found or thought up something and want to share I'm sure there is a ton of us that would be interested.

My first few tricks would be:

1. Gap Filler / Weld Maker - Add powered sugar to Future(Klear) till you get a gel consistancy. Once you have this mixed it will set well in a small container so you can mix it and keep it for a bit. It fills gaps well and if used with a brush you can make decent weld seams.

2. Acrylic Thinner - This one is pretty common, I use a 50/50 mix of distilled water and 70% ISO and it seems to work great... from what I've read its about the same thing as Tamiya brand thinner and much less expensive.

Well thats what I have for now, will be interested in what tips you great minds come up with.

Cheers!

Zerk.

Whats 'powered sugar' Zerkie?

Don't try that thinner mix on genuine acrylics like Vallejo or Lifecolour, it will turn into a gloopy mess that will ruin your airbrush.



You can mix CA glue with talcum powder for a gel that sets in about 20 to 30 seconds, long enough to move it about and dries rock hard; it also sands to a fine finish. Its no good for deep large voids though as it will take forever to set and will give off a LOT of heat as it does which can warp plastic

A much quicker setting version of this is to swap out the talc for powdered household filler. sets in about 5 seconds or less. Doesn't sound much but when you are working on masters every second saved is a second won

If you have to fill large voids, save on fuller by using styrene offcuts, bits of sprue or any lumps of resin casting blocks you have left over from building kits can be chucked in as aggregate to save money on filler, and drying time.


Don't bother with expensive sanding sticks; get nail files from the chemist. the multisided ones are great with a good range of abbrassive sides for styrene

Good nail scissors are very useful for cutting out PE Parts. Get the solid metal ones, not the ones with thin blades, and a straight blade is better

I sometimes scratch-build parts out of those disposable foil baking tins. It's like super cheap photo-etch material.

Chris - "powdered" sugar is confectioners sugar, hope that is what you call it in the uk. Also good to note about the thinner with other acrylics, I use it with Tamiya and Masters acrylics.

I have also read that you can use vinegar straight or a mix of it with water to substitute for Micro Sol. I haven't tried this yet but I will soon as I'm almost to the decal point on my current build.

Cheers!

Zerk.

That's interesting Zerk. I've noticed that Testors decal set smells just like vinegar! It wouldn't surprise me if it was.

Zerkcie,

Whether you call it frugal; I just call it recycling. Before chucking anything I have taken to deconstruction to see if there any usable parts. Apart from obvious materials like foils etc. even things like a humble cigarette lighter can yield useful bits and pieces.

The idea occured to me after a friend used to haunt the Friday Market here in Q8. He saw through the 'trash' and made fabulous puppets and bits of theatrical decor out of essentially tat. He saw beyond the object(s) as it were.

Cheers

Harvey

Hi Zerkcie

Have done the budget thing for years

Lolly sticks.... wooden 1001 uses cut down or carved ..even as pioneers  baulks of timber.

Lolly sticks....plastic (hollow) ... drainpipes misc fittings or use to make cobbled road with the end by pressing into clay. Same applies to cotton bud (Q-tips) sticks.

Tea lights (little candles in ali trays).... when used cut the 0.25mm aluminum sides off to use for anything thin...

Clear rigid plastic packaging..... thinner and clearer than flat glasing kit pieces.

Will try to think of more lol

Nick

Edited By Nick Richardson on 13/06/2012 18:22:55

Zerkcie

Wooden clothes pegs. Wife's nail files stolen under the cover of darkness.

Cheers

Tim

Mike - Yeah I actually read that someones child drank some of his decal set and they called poison control and once looked up they said that it was only water, vinegar and detergent. I guess the acid in the vinegar is what makes the decal soften and lay down into the cracks or over bumps.

Harvey - Couldn't agree more, I try to use as much as I can from what I can find laying around... the wife is getting tired of me liberating all her crafting gear but its for a worthy cause.

Nick - Im guessing by Lolly sticks you mean Sucker (lollipops) sticks, all we really have here is Dum Dums here and those sticks tend to get a bit soggy.

Something I've found that works well to build shelves and storage is from cardboard boxes. Here is a few things i've made to keep my modelling area tiddy.

This is my cubby hole. This was my most challenging build with cardboard as I had to make each hole have a different depth. Yes I have to much time on my hands.

I made the shelf on the right for my paint. I made the bottle holder on the left to hold my thinner, ISO, Future, water and wyndex. I usually use masking and scotch tape to build them up and then use packing tape to kind of seal them up and keep them from getting soggy if it gets wet at all.

Here is a small shelf I use for airbrushing tools and such.

And I made a spray booth out of a box I had laying around.

Love the ideas so far, keep them coming!

Cheers!

Zerk.

Zerkcie

LOL I was refering to the flat ones that have an ice 'lolly' on .....

If you think about it we're fabricators and inovators

Great fun

Nick