Archives: Tips
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Please fasten your Band-Aids!
Here’s a simple way to create your own seat belts. Make them from fine strips of fabric Band-Aids.
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Protect models with fiberfill
I have had to move my model collection twice in two years, and this method worked well for me. I gathered large boxes that would accommodate a number of models with adequate clearance between them, and packed the box with a layer of polyester fiberfill (such as that used to stuff pillows). It’s available at…
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Quick hitters: Painting tires …
To easily add a subtle but nice detail to tires, I paint the sidewalls with gloss rubber….
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Quick hitters: Trimming resin parts
I’ve started building 1/72 scale resin aircraft, and found their tiny brittle parts hard to shape and fit on my usual cutting mats.
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So long sticky residue!
Masking the canopy of a 1/72 scale Miles Messenger plane, I accidentally used old tape inside the canopy, leaving a sticky residue that would not go away with soap or isopropyl alcohol.
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Carpet monster slayer
To defend my work against the dreaded carpet monster, I use clear acrylic plastic carpet shields like those used in offices to allow for easier glide by wheeled desk chairs. This keeps dropped parts from immediately disappearing.
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Clementines equal scale vines
Clementines, those tiny oranges that kids (and adults) eat by the boxful, are an inexhaustible supply of scale vines for jungle or woodland dioramas.
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Cup lids provide easy join fixes
To minimize filling and sanding my models’ joins, I use the plastic lids from takeout drink cups or the lids from ice cream tubs from a well-known burger chain.
