New to modeling and need plans.

[Leepee]

Hi, I'm new to modeling and have always wanted to scratch build, but thought it would be expensive until I checked into styrene and it looks like unless I go nuts, it could be a reasonably priced hobby.

One thing, don't laugh...(':evil:')
I have absolutely no artistic talent or imagination whatsoever. (':oops:')

I've been looking to get some plans to follow for the first few dozen builds, but they've been hard to find or I'm not looking in the right place.
Can someone help me?

There is so much to learn!

Thanks very much,
Lee

[Andrew Gorman]

Paper models can be a good source for plans if you need them, but most scratchbuilding is making something look like something other than what you started with. It's not art, just drafting. I'm using wood more and more these days, and am enough of a hippie to really enjoy putting my scraps in the compost instead of the trash.

[irishtrek]

Hey, welcome to the SSM crazy place.LOL
So what do you want to build first???

[Leepee]

Paper models can be a good source for plans if you need them, but most scratchbuilding is making something look like something other than what you started with. It's not art, just drafting. I'm using wood more and more these days, and am enough of a hippie to really enjoy putting my scraps in the compost instead of the trash.

Would definitely like to use other materials. OMG in one of my long YouTube cat watching sessions, I came across guys building a Flueron which I assume is either a Dutch or French ship. Amazing. Not my thing, but still awesome.

[Leepee]

Hey, welcome to the SSM crazy place.LOL
So what do you want to build first???

At this point it doesn't matter. I was hoping for some kind of starship, but I know the first few are going to be a lot of trial and error. I'm not really Into the gumdum suit stuff, but hey, it's all about learning st this point.
I even thought of trying out an rc bost without the motors, or a HO scale building.
I assumed that with the prevalence of computers, somebody would have posted some plans somewhere.

[naoto]

http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/
(you could try looking under the "Pepakura Gallery" section on the website)
BTW -- some sites will have PDO files, which can be opened using the Pepakura Designer and Pepakura Viewer software (note: previously the Designer and Viewer were separate downloads -- but currently they are bundled together. The license key is only required for unlocking features in the Designer -- the Viewer can be used w/o obtaining keycode. The Viewer allows to view and print, but not design).

http://codex34.byethost22.com/
http://aliens.humlak.cz/
http://cleversantoro.spaces.live.com/
http://teodom.wixsite.com/domatine
http://www.freewebs.com/jaybats/takeacardanycard.htm
http://www.currell.net/models/mod_free.htm
http://www.delta7studios.com/orderpaypal.htm
http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/
http://jleslie48.com/
http://murphs-models.webs.com/
http://www.nielspapermodels.com/
https://ninjatoes.wordpress.com/
http://paper-replika.com/
http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~sf-papercraft/
http://ojimak.web.fc2.com/hanger.html
http://www.freewebs.com/paragon19/
http://www.cardmodels-r.narod.ru/index-e.htm
http://www.hoxity.de/papercraft/index.html
http://www.jplanes.com/index.htm
http://www.geocities.jp/pinaconn/index.html
http://paperinside.com/

some link sites:
http://www.ss42.com/toys.html
http://www006.upp.so-net.ne.jp/zen/
http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakuradb/

NOTE: one thing you'll have to be careful about is paper size. Stuff originating from the USA tends to use US Letter size (8.5" x 11") whereas paper models originating in Europe and Asia tends to be based on A4 size (8.27" × 11.69"). You'll have to be careful with "Fit" option on printout as it will resize the printout (and potentially end up with fit problems) -- this is especially true if the different sheets are provided as separate documents (which could mean the pages will not be scaled consistently).

[naoto]

How 'bout a SF racecar?
http://www.project-ynp.com/product/cf/d ... index.html

[ausf]

Why not buy a small kit or two to get an idea of how the materials behave?

You can buy simple rockets or saucers and add onto it if you want.

A kit doesn't have to be a huge investment and you get to mess around with glue and paint that would aid in your construction.

[naoto]

For model aeroplanes (flying type, typically made with balsawood):
http://www.outerzone.co.uk/index.asp
http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/201104130707 ... /index.htm

Of course, as suggested by someone else, buying a kit might be easier than building from plans (especially if you're not familiar with the materials). Many of the kits from Guillows ( http://www.guillow.com/ ) have been updated with laser-cut balsawood parts (rather than the older "printwood" and die-cut sheets). The "stick-and-tissue" type of model aeroplanes had always appealed to me. Their "Fighter Jet" series was an interesting take on this ( http://www.guillow.com/1400series-fighterjets.aspx ). They used to have a similar kit of the Space Shuttle Orbiter.

As for model rockets, similarly Estes ( http://www.estesrockets.com/ ) also features laser-cut parts (a number of kits feature Tung wood rather than balsawood however) -- many of the reissued kits have simplified construction. For example, the reissued Little Joe II kit features injection-molded parts rather in place of parts you had to build up from paper, balsawood and wood dowels ( http://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/kit ... tle-joe-ii ). I had been tempted to pick up the Estes Cosmic Interceptor kit ( http://www.estesrockets.com/clearance/0 ... erceptortm ) -- especially at the sale price of about $17. Only issue I've got is a matter of a place to is limited display space (it's 40.5" long). I'm definitely glad Estes did release the "Sci-Fi Nose Cone Assortment" ( http://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/acc ... tment-5-pk ) -- which definitely makes it easier to re-create a number of previously-released SF themed kits.

[naoto]

Estes did release the TOS Enterprise and TOS Klingon kits. They also released an unrelated USS Atlantis kit ( http://www.spacemodeling.org/JimZ/est1283.htm ), which featured styling reminiscent of Star Trek. Not surprisingly that kit often a topic for "upscaled" (i.e. built up in larger size for mid and high power motors) -- some of which were built as "refit" (i.e. in the style of the Star Trek movies). Sirius Rocketry does offer a "refit" upscale in kit form ( https://www.siriusrocketry.biz/ishop/si ... is-14.html ). Another kit from Sirius that's interesting is the S.S. Cetris ( https://www.siriusrocketry.biz/ishop/si ... s-140.html ) -- the nosecone is available separately too0 ( https://www.siriusrocketry.biz/ishop/si ... t-138.html )

[kenlilly106]

My advice?

If you've never done this before start out simple by making a scale model of something you have around the house like a toaster or microwave or something.
You'll have a ready reference on hand and most of the time they are simple box shapes so you can concentrate on learning how to measure and cut and fit the parts but not have to worry about the complex shapes of a ship your first time out.

Ken

[irishtrek]

Better yet go for a snap together kit such as the R2/Polar Lights original series Enterprise or a different snap together kit.

[naoto]

The Modular Space Toys ( http://codex34.byethost22.com/ ) is pretty nifty. There's even a build on the SSM Gallery of a model built using components from this papercraft set: http://www.starshipmodeler.org/gallery1 ... _cecil.htm

[Andrew Gorman]

There are a lot of good and simple plans at:
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/index.php
There are a few Guillows rocketships hiding in there.

[USSARCADIA]

I agree with Ken, start out with some simple shapes. Learn how to cut pieces out of styrene sheet and glue together with liquid glue and a needle bottle. Then move on from there. There are some tutorials on the main SM site. There are plenty of us here to help and feel free to ask any question.

[Andrew Gorman]

My best advice is find a subject you REALLY want to make. If you really want it, it will give you incentive to get through the difficult parts.

[Leepee]

Thanks all, for the tips. I think I'm going to start small with the paper stuff and learn how the medium behaves.

To clarify my background and why I'm doing this. I've done many scale models kits, but they focus, inevitably on the painting aspects, and not really on the construction, which is what interests me.

Thanks again and hope to see you all around.

[Kylwell]

I would also highly recommend this book https://www.amazon.com/MODEL-DESIGN-BLU ... 0979175208

[Scotaidh]

Leepee, welcome to the hobby and to SSM!

I, too, enjoy scratch-building/kit-bashing. I got a lot of my dead/donor kits from members here, who were selling off boxes of kits with which they no longer wanted to deal; Ti Raven sent me a box of single-use camera carcasses; and I've bought batches of dead kits on evil-bay.

Also, if you make it to WonderFest this year you might want to show up to the Iron Modeler thing. There's always tons of greeblies/kit-bits left on the tables afterwards - I have often come home with more greeblies than I took. You just have to volunteer to help clean-up; and watching Iron Modelers in action is a great way to get ideas.

Also, there are various challenges and contests here on-site - those are great experiences, too, I've found, for stretching what you know.

[Lt. Z0mBe]

Why not buy a small kit or two to get an idea of how the materials behave?

You can buy simple rockets or saucers and add onto it if you want.

A kit doesn't have to be a huge investment and you get to mess around with glue and paint that would aid in your construction.

Seconded. It's an ordeal to undertake a scratchbuild of any appreciable size. The problems you have to solve and just the prepwork are an ordeal before you make your first cut. I say this not because I doubt your abilities but because you will absolutely get burned out and put the project down after you've cut your 640th of 1000 identical bulkheads. Heck, you probably haven't figured out what tools you're gonna need yet.

Learn the small lessons first on some kits. Scratchbuild some details for them. You'll flatten the learning curve you're going to have on that scratchbuild. Then, you can knock it out of the park.

I hope this helps.

Kenny

[artic316]

Grab a doohicky, and a thingamabob and a spindle bender and lots and lots glue and hope for the best .
Actually find a good base item to start with a pcv tube, ship body, sub body or what ever plastic you have handy or from your local dollar store. Experiment with adding greebles(misc small pieces) to put some detail or layers on your project and have some fun. You will get better with every project you build.

Welcome once again to the asylum.

[naoto]

Relatively simple shapes combined could yield interesting results -- some model rocket examples.
http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/cen5307.htm
http://fliskits.com/products/rocketkits ... decim8.htm
http://fliskits.com/products/rocketkits ... /tesla.htm