Your First Build
Step By Step Guide For Beginners
The contents of an M1 Abrams 1/72nd scale tank. A small simple model suitable for beginners - although the some of the small parts and the link and length tracks might prove a challenge to some people.
Introduction
Scale Model Guide.com is a reference guide, similar to an encyclopedia, containing many short articles. This allows readers to locate and print just the subject they are interested in. However, this may not be ideal for somebody starting out with the hobby who is looking for step-by-step guidance right through the building process.
This article has been created to cater for those people who want a little 'hand holding' through their first few model builds. Listed below are links to a series of articles that when read in the order suggested, should give all the information. skills and techniques needed to build a simple model.
Articles
| Choose Your First Model | Advice on choosing your first model to build |
| Where To Buy | Having chosen what sort of model to build this article provides advice on how to find it |
| The Basic Tool Kit | These are the tools you will need to get started |
| What's In The Box |
This explains what you should expect to find in the box and the first steps to take, including planning the build. |
| How and when to start taking parts from the sprue without losing or damaging them | |
| All about glue |
The different types of glue used by modeller's with their characteristics |
| Joining Parts |
This shows techniques for gluing parts together |
| All About Fillers |
The different fillers available and their characteristics |
| Gap Filling |
Methods for filling gaps and hiding seams |
| Using Milliput | Using Milliput epoxy putty for filling and sculpting |
| Panzer IV build Part 1 |
This is the first of three linked articles showing a detailed build of a model tank kit |
~~ Last updated Sept. 29, 2009 by Peter Hall. ~~