BryanDewberry.com

Christmas is only a couple weeks away and that means time to get gifts for the scale modeler in your life is dwindling away. The potential for gift ideas is huge when you take into account the myriad of kits available so I’m going to do my best to stay away from those. If your modeler really wants a kit for Christmas they’ve probably given you the exact details of the kit they want.

One way to get ideas is to go take a look at their workbench and see what’s there. Are there some scale modeling magazines laying about? A subscription to those would be good. What about consumable items like tape, blades for the xacto knife, sandpaper, glue, or qtips?

What about some specific modeling type tools or reference material they could use. This might be a little harder so I’ve made a list below that most modelers would love to have.

1. Xuron High Precision Sprue Cutter. This tool is used to make quick work of cutting all those parts from their molding sprues so that they aren’t damaged.

2. Spray Work Painting Stand Set by Tamiya. This work stand is great for holding parts for painting and with it able to rotate it makes the job so much easier.

3. Standard Hobby Tool Set by Xacto. This convenient boxed set has all the small cutting tools a modeler would need.

4. Iwata Smart Jet Compressor. Compressors for the scale modeler can be a matter of personal choice but the Smart Jet by Iwata is a proven performer.

5. Squadron Curved X-Action Tweezers. Every plastic scale modeler needs several sets of tweezers and this cross-action set is great because it grips and holds at the same time.

6. Airbrush Holder. This airbrush holder clamps to the workbench and keeps those expensive airbrushes in a safe spot when not being used.

7. Modeler’s Guide to Realistic Painting & Finishing (FineScale Modeler Books). A good reference for learning how to paint and finish scale models.

8. Tamiya Model Magazine International. The industry standard of scale model magazines cover all plastic model subjects. If your scale modeler builds only aircraft, you could consider getting him or her the aircraft only version, Model Airplane International.

9. CraftMaster II Deluxe Drafting Table Cherry Woodgrain Top/Black Base.. This could actually be a matter of personal preference of the modeler but if they are still building at the kitchen table you might want to consider getting them their own table/workbench to build on. The one I’ve linked to hear is a good size and has built in storage. Other models are available depending upon space restrictions and personal preference. (Edit: The top is adjustable so, yes, it can lay flat.)

10. Patriot 105 Gravity Feed Detail Airbrush. I’ve used my trusty Paasche H single-action airbrush for years but it’s past time I upgraded to a double-action.

There you have it. Some ideas up top you can get just by looking at your modelers workbench and then ten suggestions that would be a great surprise.

What have you put on your plastic modeling Christmas wish list this year?

P.S. – If my dear wife happens to be reading this, please take particular note of items 4 and 10.

Most scale modelers have some kind of subject or area they like to build in the most. For me it’s military scale model aircraft (both WWII and modern jets) with an occasional science fiction or submarine model thrown in. I have some passing interest in other areas like military armor but rarely venture into those areas.

With my 16 years in the Navy you would think I would be a ship modeler but that’s not true. I do believe I’d be interested in building a ship at some point but I don’t feel pressured to do so. I’ve always been fascinated with airplanes, plus one of the models I vividly remember my dad building was an F4U-1 Corsair, so I think that why have a vested interest in aircraft modeling.

What about you? Do you have a particular subject or area you keep to or do you sample the buffer of subjects available?

After a lot of thinking, I’ve decided to take my personal blog in a totally different direction. Instead of blogging aimlessly about subjects I only have a passing interest in, I’ve decided instead to to blog about a hobby of mine. That hobby is building plastic scale models. Particular military subjects like vehicles and airplanes. You’ll probably see tips or advice on other subjects including cars and science fiction as well. I’ve actually been thinking about this for over a year but have only recently (within the last month) decided to act on it.

The first thing I did was re-design my site and I’m already seeing search engine traffic because of that. For those of you getting here from searching for plastic model tips on Google, Yahoo, or Bing, I’ll be getting into the full swing of things very shortly so in the meantime you’re not seeing any blog posts or videos on plastic models. They are coming though. In the meantime, if you want to be notified when I start posting them, take the opportunity to connect with me on either Facebook or Twitter by clicking on the buttons over to the right. My RSS feed is available by clicking on the RSS button or you can get updates in your email by clicking on the Updates Via Email button.

That’s it for now. If you have a particular question you want me to cover in a future topic, or just want to ask me a model building question, please don’t hesitate. Contact me via Twitter or leave a comment below. Thanks!

P.S. – I’ll never stop talking about sports!