Model Cars?? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

wrongfullyaccuzd · 03-12-2005, 04:26 PM

Hey guys, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, so bear with me.

I decided that this summer I want to build a model car - paint, glue, the whole bit. I don't want one of those screw-together things from Toys R Us, I want something where I just buy the wood or plastic pieces and do the rest myself. Something that will take a lot of time and attention and will come out looking amazing.

My question for you is where can I go to look for kits? Brand names, websites, stores, anything would help. Like I said Toys R Us has screw-together stuff. I looked up the few names I know and Maisto has some kits that boast to not require paint or glue, which is the opposite of what I want. Hot Wheels didn't seem to have anything. I feel like I'm on the wrong track. Are there even any brand names known for this kind of thing? Help!

jorgelito · 03-12-2005, 05:10 PM

Try looking up the chainstore 'Hobby People' online for locations and catalogs. I think they're also known as "The Hobby Store".

Good Luck.

laconic1 · 03-12-2005, 07:47 PM

Tamiya makes excellent model kits and supplies, ther website is www.tamiyausa.com

Lockjaw · 03-12-2005, 09:20 PM

HobbyLinkJapan is a good place to buy Tamiya and other Japanese and Euro car models.

http://www.hlj.com/top/Aut

However don't knock the screw together kit models. Model building is a lot of what you put into it. I've seen people take the little crappy Revel model kits and mod and personalize them to almost a ridiculous level.

userasdf1234 · 03-13-2005, 08:22 AM

Just a tip, You should practice with some cheap ones before you get any nice ones. I've tried building one and it came out awful. I know i can build one better since i know what i messed up on with my first.

todd · 03-13-2005, 08:53 AM

Tamiya is good, but also somewhat expensive and don't seem to have that great of a selection. Revell has some probably the largest selection, and not bad prices either. Revell makes models for all skill levels. Some of their higher ones are really nice models, contrary to what Lockjaw said about them being crappy. I've been pretty happy with the Revell models i've tried. The thing I don't like about plastic models though is the majority of them are 1/24th scale which makes it a bit harder to get some realistic details.

I've made a few plastic models, but what I enjoy the most is taking a diecast model and modifying it. Theres a ton of 1/18 scale diecasts out there, which means you can go crazy with the detailing. I like working with metal more than plastic anyway. Theres a lot of websites that sell custom 1/18 scale parts to customize your diecast models, and it's just a lot easier to work with the larger scale. Right now I'm working on customizing my AutoART '05 Mustang GT, and am turning the MotorMax stock Ford Focus into an SVT Focus. Diecast modding is a lot more expensive, though. I've put over $100 into my Mustang (including buying the Mustang, which was $70), and will probably be putting close to that into my Focus. I sell them though, so i'll make a profit eventually.

GetRdone · 03-13-2005, 07:07 PM

i agree with todd, modifying diecast cars is alot of fun, and they seem more real since they are metal. I have a mercedes suv model; slammed with the wheels tucked uner the fenders, full wing door, revers opening hood and custom trunk. You can get diecast cars pretty cheap at walmart on sale sometimes.

Globber2000 · 03-13-2005, 08:11 PM

Tamiya 1/12 formula 1 cars are about as ridiculously real as you can get, so try that once you get used to building. Warning, they are quite expensive and take a LOT of time

wrongfullyaccuzd · 03-14-2005, 12:11 PM

This is a lot more advice than I ever really imagined, a big thanks to you guys. I've looked at a couple of the websites, and after reading comments and seeing what people put into the superhard models, I'm definitely going to start with a lower level and work my way up. Thanks a lot for your help, I will be sure to come back if I need more, which I probably will!

03-12-2005, 04:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
wrongfullyaccuzd Addict Location: NoVA	Model Cars?? Hey guys, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, so bear with me. I decided that this summer I want to build a model car - paint, glue, the whole bit. I don't want one of those screw-together things from Toys R Us, I want something where I just buy the wood or plastic pieces and do the rest myself. Something that will take a lot of time and attention and will come out looking amazing. My question for you is where can I go to look for kits? Brand names, websites, stores, anything would help. Like I said Toys R Us has screw-together stuff. I looked up the few names I know and Maisto has some kits that boast to not require paint or glue, which is the opposite of what I want. Hot Wheels didn't seem to have anything. I feel like I'm on the wrong track. Are there even any brand names known for this kind of thing? Help!

03-13-2005, 07:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
GetRdone Psycho	i agree with todd, modifying diecast cars is alot of fun, and they seem more real since they are metal. I have a mercedes suv model; slammed with the wheels tucked uner the fenders, full wing door, revers opening hood and custom trunk. You can get diecast cars pretty cheap at walmart on sale sometimes. __________________ Revere Jena Malone.......this is not a suggestion.

03-13-2005, 08:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Globber2000 Upright	Tamiya 1/12 formula 1 cars are about as ridiculously real as you can get, so try that once you get used to building. Warning, they are quite expensive and take a LOT of time Last edited by Globber2000; 03-13-2005 at 08:14 PM..

03-12-2005, 05:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Try looking up the chainstore 'Hobby People' online for locations and catalogs. I think they're also known as "The Hobby Store". Good Luck.

03-12-2005, 07:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
laconic1 Junkie	Tamiya makes excellent model kits and supplies, ther website is www.tamiyausa.com

03-12-2005, 09:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lockjaw Junkie	HobbyLinkJapan is a good place to buy Tamiya and other Japanese and Euro car models. http://www.hlj.com/top/Aut However don't knock the screw together kit models. Model building is a lot of what you put into it. I've seen people take the little crappy Revel model kits and mod and personalize them to almost a ridiculous level.

03-13-2005, 08:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
userasdf1234 Tilted	Just a tip, You should practice with some cheap ones before you get any nice ones. I've tried building one and it came out awful. I know i can build one better since i know what i messed up on with my first.

03-13-2005, 08:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
todd Addict Location: Chicago	Tamiya is good, but also somewhat expensive and don't seem to have that great of a selection. Revell has some probably the largest selection, and not bad prices either. Revell makes models for all skill levels. Some of their higher ones are really nice models, contrary to what Lockjaw said about them being crappy. I've been pretty happy with the Revell models i've tried. The thing I don't like about plastic models though is the majority of them are 1/24th scale which makes it a bit harder to get some realistic details. I've made a few plastic models, but what I enjoy the most is taking a diecast model and modifying it. Theres a ton of 1/18 scale diecasts out there, which means you can go crazy with the detailing. I like working with metal more than plastic anyway. Theres a lot of websites that sell custom 1/18 scale parts to customize your diecast models, and it's just a lot easier to work with the larger scale. Right now I'm working on customizing my AutoART '05 Mustang GT, and am turning the MotorMax stock Ford Focus into an SVT Focus. Diecast modding is a lot more expensive, though. I've put over $100 into my Mustang (including buying the Mustang, which was $70), and will probably be putting close to that into my Focus. I sell them though, so i'll make a profit eventually.

03-14-2005, 12:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
wrongfullyaccuzd Addict Location: NoVA	This is a lot more advice than I ever really imagined, a big thanks to you guys. I've looked at a couple of the websites, and after reading comments and seeing what people put into the superhard models, I'm definitely going to start with a lower level and work my way up. Thanks a lot for your help, I will be sure to come back if I need more, which I probably will!