Assembling and gluing

Ready to run kits are good if your modelling skills are limited, simply buy and add to your layout. You also know the finish will be good and they will be square and run correctly. But many railway modellers prefer to build them and add their own...

As an Airfix kit is made of plastic, the best glue to use is a polystyrene cement, although some experienced modellers will use superglue. Be aware that polystyrene cement actually melts the plastic to create a bond as it is a solvent and not...

Most modellers have an extensive tool kit, a tool for every eventuality. But when first starting a scalpel or a decent craft knife will suffice. And a selection of different size paint brushes. Paint brushes go from the larger size 7 down to...

The short answer is carefully. The best way is with a sprue and plastic cutter but always be mindful of exactly where you are cutting as it is all too easy to cut in to the model components if you are not familiar with the parts that make up the...

It is not essential to have a cutting mat, but it is a good idea. It saves getting in trouble with your significant other for cutting into the kitchen table. Cutting mats are self-healing which means that when you cut in to them it doesn't leave...

I personally wash all my plastic kits, I use warm soapy water (Washing up liquid) and a light rub over with a nail brush, while all kit components are still connected to the sprue (The sprue is the square frame holding all the plastic kit parts)...

Milliput is a two-part epoxy putty. There are two different colour rolls in a box when these are mixed together it causes a chemical reaction and when left for two of three hours goes rock-hard. You can use it for a number of modelling projects,...

Cyanoacrylate is better known as super glue or crazy glue to our American cousins. It first came in to being in the 1960’s during the Vietnam war by the Americans for sealing open wounds on the battlefield. As most of you will know it takes...

If you are using an aerosol spray paint you should always use one. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions/advice on the back of can. Even if you are spraying out side you should wear a respirator. I would also wear one for applying grass...

Cyanoacrylate is best known as super glue. The best way to remove it is with acetone or an acetone-based product such as nail varnish remover, this will soften the super glue. In the eventuality of getting super glue on your skin follow...

A pin vice is a small hand held twist drill with a number of uses. Mainly used for drilling small holes, it can hold very small drill bits ideal for wood and plastics, with the ability to remove the chuck head to allow different collets to be...

Resin is a type of plastic, but conventional plastic glues don't work. For smaller resin parts super glue is ideal, for slightly larger parts an epoxy glue is recommended. For large parts a two-part epoxy glue to give the model extra strength....