Andy's Hobby Headquarters Q&A [at home ]

[@alanjeacock4732]

Hi Andy, I am a novice to model building even though I`m in my 70s. I live in the UK and I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your videos and how much I have learned from them. I think you are doing a wonderful job and I`m really envious of all your local customers who can call in and chat with you. Stay safe and keep up the good work

[@richardc-ex7rt]

Another thing worth mentioning about clear coats: is that a base gloss coat will hide decal film much better than a flat coat. My. Hobby's top coats work well too.

[@flick_shot_5625]

i use their Super Clear 3, its great.

[@donfrandsen7778]

Hi, Andy Always fun, interesting and informative. Thank you Andy . Appreciate your videos and insights. Thanks for review of GWH F-15 The KV1 was fabulous and well done Andy. Keep these coming . Perhaps you can ease into some figure painting .....??? How about another diorama? Armor wise?!?! Anyway thank you Andy!!! Carry on!!!!

[@nickboer4309]

Hi Andy! Love your home-studio.. great video and Q&A as always! Keep up the good building/review videos and stay safe!

[@jimkhata6847]

I've been using a pair of side cutters for a couple of years now. I will never go back to conventional sprue cutters. I can cut very close to the part and it leave almost no divot. They cost more, but are well worth it. Stay Safe.

[@lesthiele4921]

A great A&A session, I hope to see you do more, keep safe and well besy regards to your family and all your customers, regards from Australia

[@joel4166]

3 1/2 years ago I selected, purchased and built my 1st kit in over 30yrs... It was an old monogram Black Widow!! did it in a brushed metal like the prototype because I could do it with a brush...lol Thanks for all the help since then Hang in & stay healthy!

[@robertcolbourne386]

clear coat = Future floor wax (Acrylic) though i can't find it here in Newfoundland anymore . thinned with Menthol Hydrate (which is what i use to thin Tamiya) and airbrushed on. Windshield wash also works as a thinner with Tamiya , at least it use to 10 years ago . The blue tint never seemed to affect the colour .

[@CNSFX]

Spray can tip, preheating, is proven, helps increase the can pressure and you get a better spray pattern. Airbrushes: Iwata HPSB and similar are awesome, expensive but worth it. Passche and Badger are usually known as workhorse airbrushes. Grex has given me mixed results but I tried the trigger type and as a newer class to and older user I do like it. Double action vs single action; double for sure is more flexible but having a brush with a fixed setting gives you repeatability. Single action brushes are workhorse brushes great for repetitive painting like a lot of masks and production work. Double action can be great for a beginner if you have some understanding of what to do or someone to teach you. My next airbrush purchase will be an Iwata trigger model and a replacement HP type model. I’ve used them all on models both professionally and privately and if you have the money buy nice or you will buy twice!! Thanks Andy for getting my order shipped out!

[@zulerodoeht329]

Nice video, I liked the Miniart bus, I am working on a Miniart SU 122-54 Late, what a beast, lots of parts, thank God it is not an interior kit. I started the hobby about the same time or so. Old HAWK / REVELL / LINDBERG kits, some AIRFIX and MONOGRAM, wow the hobby has come a long way. As a kid I would save my lunch money and by a Revell "Dueling Aces" kit at the end of the week. The first one I bought was the F4U Corsair vs a Japanese Oscar ** so many kits, so little time.

[@calienteron3008]

Had to leave AZ earlier than planned because of covid-19 and PM Justin closing border. Have just finished my 14 days of quarintine and now practicing self isolation. We got 5 inches of snow yesterday and temps have only been in the teens and mid twenties F. The kit I am working on is a big rig which I purchased and Andys Hobby Headquaters. Take care.

[@NiceCuppa]

Great video Andy. As a relative beginner, would be great to hear your thoughts on build strategy and painting. It is something I still find difficult, eg when to paint individual parts v build up and paint as a whole.

[@ChurchTrombonist]

I agree! Beginner here as well.

[@robertdeen8741]

Very often when assembling model cars I just left the body the colour of the plastic. I'd use Brasso or Silvo like one would use a cut polish on a real car. It would come out very shiny and smooth. Much better then I ever attained with spray paint.

[@hazardtrooper2791]

when I started doing Warhammer 40k painting, I bought the age of Sigmar paints and tools. they come with great sprue cutters that are smaller than most other ones, so you can get into the nooks and crannies. a decent brush. and a bunch of paints that I use frequently for tanks and Tamiya infantry. highly recommend that people just starting out with models get that kit

[@alexanderking8612]

Thank you! Yes! Your videos help tremendously to break up the news and while I wait for my kit to arrive from your store. Thank you for being there!!

[@transbahuter02]

It is good to see that you help us to live our confinement better.... You look great even if you do not wear any pants!!

[@P61guy61]

P-61 is my favorite! I would like to build the 1/32 scale. Thank you for posting.

[@feffotokopi7941]

Andy, a great knack. The videos and your work are excellent. Congratulations.

[@21Arrowheads]

I like your stormtrooper stuff. Also everyone is starting forget what days it is

[@corchaEkotte]

Its Saturday! And also time to take off the daytime Pjs and put on the nighttime Pjs.

[@dolphfren]

@@corchaEkotte Saturday? Funny the calendar on my computer which self-updates says its Tuesday

[@corchaEkotte]

@@dolphfren Saturday is a state of mind, a special realm, one that can only be entered when one is not wearing pants.

[@dolphfren]

@@corchaEkotte Sure whatever

[@andyaitken4243]

It is not May 4th yet so haha you comment is completely too early😜🤣🤣

[@andrewdenzov3303]

Sanding sticks is nice. I’ve bought a couple few days before and wife said “nice nail files! Thank you “

[@TheDaltonius]

Nope nothing here just a 11 year old looking through the comment section for modeling tips

[@MrBMBuilder]

One of the best tools if you can call it a tool was when I got my first cutting matt those things are fantastic and saves your bench and blades from getting ruined. They also look great :)

[@uther10]

Thanks again for the vid and sharing your favorite tools and tips!

[@organizm172]

Ah, finally some GWH. Waitin now for this kit, f-15i, to arrive. Project for my client, but I'm very excited to have my hands one this kit

[@voodoonights1671]

Good seeing videos from you! Keeps us all going.

[@cinnamoroll668]

Has anyone seen and social media Content from Andy. Not stalking you Andy just wanting to know if you and the family are safe as the daily uploads stopped. Hope everyone is safe and well.

[@rfhero71]

Watching your video’s I really thought you was the store I use to go to where I live in Rhode Island. It is a corner store in the town of Newport, RI. Your store looks almost exactly the same. Just some rearranged a bit.

[@gregscibek8961]

Thanks for the videos much appreciated. Stay well.

[@miriamkavanagh1482]

Hi Andy, Love the channel. I just want to give a shout out for the new Zvezda kits. The T34/76 and T34/84 are excellent kits. Fit is perfect and like Tamiya not too many parts. Price wise they are very reasonable and probably the cheapest out there.

[@ScaleMilitaryModels]

Really interesting answers, looking forward to your next videos!

[@jimhays2772]

Funny you mentioned shooting and blowing up models. My brothers and I (also in the early 70s) would get some friends and launch a model airplane as far as possible with an M-80 in it. After it blew apart we would all go out and search for the pilots figure like a rescue party. Fun stuff back then thanks for your memory of that stuff!

[@michaelnaven213]

Jim Hays Back in the days when handling an air gun wasn’t a felony, everyone shot up and blew up our models. That was part of the fun of modeling and part of our destructive nature. These days my grandchildren are the destructors.

[@andyaitken4243]

I had to backwards the video to say this. Holy shit that is a high end GWH model. It is awesome and highly detailed. I’ll be looking for those in future.

[@alancrowley7991]

keep em comin Andy it keeps us sane!! Alan UK

[@craighymersr1508]

Really liked this Video. Very human and personal. Thanks for sharing some of your past with us. We were all kids once and did some really silly things. I did not like Micky Mantle much so I always put his baseball cards in the spokes of my bike. :-} Keep up with the videos. I watch everyone. Is there a chance of you doing a 1/350 NX-01 in the future?

[@peterjones7673]

Hi Andy, first can I thank you for a great site and thanks to you I have rekindled my interest in modelling after 40 years. I have never build a tank kit but watching your great videos I would like to have a go. Can you recommend a type of kit to start please. Many thanks, Pete from Sunderland, England

[@SOU4355]

Andy just a crazy idea... Could you put together a paint set for a specific model kit you sell... In that paint set number them in the order to lay it on... With weathering tips... Being a beginner a jumpstart paint kit put together by an expert would be unbelievably cool... Anyways just an idea!

[@TheDaltonius]

I found something similar to that, but the guide is in Japanese, so yeah...

[@joeshmoe9978]

That's a good idea.

[@stevejones9044]

15:00 Your old store was 1 mile from me! By the time I got into the hobby you had already moved to Glendale. There's still a hobby shop in your old location but they only sell RC Cars.

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

Oh wow! I loved that location, just a couple miles from my home and I shared the parking lot with In n Out Burger. My wife would stop by for lunch all the time, but now it's a 40 minute drive so she doesn't come by very often. Thanks so much for your support. Stay safe- Andy

[@stevejones9044]

@@AndysHobbyHeadquarters In and Out Burger was one of our go-to places. They moved next to Home Depot across from Parkway Plaza mall (place where you would know as the (former) E.C. Police Station.

[@Gab_Gar_Sed]

Thanks for this video, Andy.

[@georgelush1998]

“Angled tweezers” I’m a retired dentist. In the profession we call them “college pliers.” No idea where that name came from. Good tip on adding paint retardant to acrylics for brush painting. Also helpful to add a little bit of acrylic thinner if the paint is kind of thick. I like the Vallejo 17 ml dropper bottles. Easy to dispense precise amounts of paint, thinner, and retardant. Also if I’m mixing a custom color (like Andy’s tank track mix 0f 70% black, 25% brown, and 5% red) it’s easy to duplicate the ratio for touch ups. One additional comment: Imperial stormtrooper armor doesn’t seem very effective. The Mandalorian has this badass steel armor that’s impenetrable. The stormtroopers with their white Elvis suits get dinged by a peashooter and BAM! They’re dead.

[@robertdeen8741]

My first model was first a mistake and then a disaster. My father bought me what he thought was a toy Batmobile. I was in grade 2 at the time so about 7 or 8 years old. Imagine you guessed it, it was a build it yourself Batmobile, ie. Model kit. So my father with his lack of knowledge regarding model kits brings home 2 part epoxy so as I can assemble it. Suppose there's no need to go into the details except saying it was a sticky bloody mess. As I got older I put together many models but didn't really do any great work till I got back into it in my 30s. What a difference a little maturity and patience makes to the final product. Haven't put together a kit in many years but I purchased a Revell Queen Mary kit at my local thrift store for $6, still sealed in the box. Just looking at it and nowhere can I find the scale. All it tells us us 20 3/4" long Finely Detailed Ready to Assemble Plastic Model Kit. I've had it sitting around for about 5 years. Hopefully I'll get motivated and put it together some day. Thanks for your posts/videos what ever they're called. Watching them brings back many fond memories of birthdays and Christmas, the normal time for gifting young lads model kits in the 1970s.

[@robertoparciasepe8367]

Hi Andy your videos are great and I really enjoy learning all steps of model building from you - just a question though, how come you never put some sort of battle damage on the tanks or other vehicles....like bullets hits, or shell damage...I would be interested to see your tecnique for that!!! Thanks a lot

[@owenb9370]

The GWH looks stunning.

[@od1452]

Tamiya has a number of bottled products and glues beside the green and orange capped ones you have talked about in the past. Maybe you could tells us about them.?

[@kristin6841]

Heĺo I'm 11 yrs old and love modeling so I hope you are safe during the hard times to make more great content : )

[@mitchrobertsstudios4736]

I've started working on a unique project.. Since I am into the Pacific Theater I've been researching and designing 1/35 scale printed signage, like that found on the Island bases & CZs of the south Pacific ww2 . Keeps me from losing my mind. I'm stuck inside with wife and her sister.. SEMPER Fi

[@keithcourter5148]

Hi Andy great video i like Trumpeter and Takom kits

[@AlvaradoPinup]

Thanks Andy!

[@corchaEkotte]

Nice Q&A! Regarding upcoming builds, are you still considering building the MK-15 Phalanx CIWS?

[@donfrandsen7778]

Great stories of when you started and the kids blasted models.....lol Cool Andy....Lol!!!

[@tpbbuzzelli1327]

Thank you

[@keithyork7691]

Love the Lewis could you maybe more detail on how you scratch built it?

[@jbll36]

Hello Andy. Happy Easter to you and your family . Enjoy the day. Ray L

[@flick_shot_5625]

if u dont like doing windows, what i always do is buy premade masks, its like 5 bucks but its worth it since it saves so much time.

[@MrBMBuilder]

I like listening to you Newman ;)……………….a fit Newman. I close my eyes and I hear Newman!!!!

[@steveevans7019]

If you did worldwide mail order, you could really take advantage of the current situation and your recent store expansion. When I have watched your videos about what you have on your pre-owned kits shelf, I wish that you shipped to UK. Trying to buy AMT, Monogram or Lindberg kits in the UK is quite difficult and the price for the basic kit would make paying for shipping to UK worthwhile if the kit can be bought much cheaper from you. Thanks to the internet and international couriers, plastic modelling is now a global hobby. I regularly buy kits from China because it is often cheaper to buy them from there, even with the shipping cost than buying from somewhere in UK or Europe.

[@slartybartfarst55]

13:32 I'd save Firecrackers (Bangers, as we called them in the U.K) & set up a defence Bunker in the Garden with Airfix Soldiers. Wait for Dusk, put some sawdust around the Firework, & blow it up in a fabulous rain of Sparks. Also, Old Model planes on a line from my Mum's bedroom with a small Roman Candle in the Engine And one Summer, in the Inflatable Paddling pool, fitted Balsa into my Airfix Bismarck model so it floated true, and blew the heck out of it with Bangers! 😊 Happy Days!

[@michaelnaven213]

Black acrylics should be used with caution. Tamiya has warning on their bottle.

[@AbstractArmorHLF]

Sent you support in the form of an order of things I really didnt need, but wanted to help out. Keep it up Andy.

[@AndysHobbyHeadquarters]

How very kind of you! On behalf of myself and my family, I thank you for your support!

[@AbstractArmorHLF]

@@AndysHobbyHeadquarters Least I can do. I have learned alot from you. I hope to continue supporting your business again soon. You are appreciated.

[@audaciousairbrush3577]

Nice tank. Also want the costume.

[@stephenharrington528]

Very enjoyable video Andy lots of info Steve 🇬🇧

[@warrenkelly5678]

Your videos have inspired me to have a go at a spitfire, great fun.

[@RCUKScaleModels]

great video Andy and stay safe

[@thundercookie738]

Hello Andy just a couple questions if I get clear zimmerit for my model tank will the original coat still be visible. And I have a 21st century 1/32 scale King tiger and it has rubber band tracks and I want them replaced with metal tracks can 1/35 scale tracks go on a 1/32 scale King tiger? Thank you for your time and keep up the great work 😊😊😊

[@chikabungiekirkhoff8669]

Hi Andy are you making more build videos , hope so love and they always help tons , Cheers from Osaka Japan

[@samturpie1756]

Ah, I can see you’re a Star Wars fan as well!

[@stinkyham9050]

Andy, I notice you never use a primer first when painting. I've had nothing but issues when skipping the priming step. I'm curious why you don't prime or is that something you do off camera?

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

well WELL DONE ANDY

[@ferbieticklater7429]

Hi Andy On the subject of which kits are the easiest to put together where would you place Dragon kits? I'm not an experienced modeler (a bit old and shaky) but I do love the hobby. I have just ordered a Dragon Sherman Firefly VC and I am looking forward to building it, but have I overstretched myself? Love your vids Andy. Stay safe and keep up the good work!

[@leebarlow3911]

Ferbie Ticklater test fit and take yr time u will be fine mate happy modelling

[@iaincameron4867]

Is there a difference between the clear coats you mention there and Tamiya's X-35 and XF-86? Can the later ones be used in a similar way as a base for weathering? If so, can X-35 and XF-86 be airbrushed, and would you thin them just like regular Tamiya paint? Also, you mention the MIG varnish as an alternative. Is Vallejo Mecha varnish is a comparable product?

[@Allessio777]

Modeling appeals to every single Obsessive Compulsive molecule in my body! So FUN isn't the right word, but it satisfies a deep craving. Thanks Andy for feeding my needs.

[@bigmage2]

Andy, with Model Master paints going away what do you get the most positive feedback on or find you like using the most in an enamel line or should I switch to lacquer with Tamiya coming out a line and a few others already having a line? Thanks for any recommendations.

[@zonegamma8197]

Thanks for the video I did not know you sell to canada

[@toboldlygosmodelworks1973]

Andy, was that the Monogram 1/48th Scale Black Widow,? As that was a new tool in 1974 and was re-boxed by Revell in 2016!

[@michaelnaven213]

James Mower All one in the same kit.

[@egyeneskifli7808]

You forgot one thing, what is extremely important: a fricking good light source! One which has the necessary brightness and doesn't distort the colors! The second perspective disqualifies 99.9999% of the LED lights. Even the high CRI LEDs have negative effects on color rendering. (The best solution should be a halogen light bulb IMHO.)

[@adamweege5262]

Hi Andy I am just starting to get into modeling. I just finished up my first kit the AMT Tomy IVO dragster. I want to branch out a try a Tamiya motorcycle how do I find what colors I need to complete the build correctly?

[@johnshobbies4224]

El Cajon, cool. I was born in Riverside and lived in Sunnymead. Have you ever thought of selling 1:12 scale figures to go with the motorcycles? What paint retarder do you recommend?

[@j3v167]

Hi Andy I see that a lot of suppliers are sending you kit samples before they become available to the general public. Could you perhaps ask them whether they could take the general public's wishes into consideration as well? My pet gripe is the following: There are a multidue of 1/35 scale armor, buildngs, people kits available. However, when it comes to making aeroplane kits, the manufacturers suddenly go to 1/32 scale. I really think that those kits would sell much better in 1/35 scale and we would see a lot more amazing dioramas using both armor and aeroplanes. It would be appreciated. Viewers, if you read this and agree, please like this comment.

[@billscott1601]

Aren’t you kinda short to be a stormtrooper? Keep the vids coming, I have a chance to build the Graf Spee I picked up at your shop back in February.

[@douglasm3310]

Hi Andy wondering if you found out if you can do curbside orders at the store.

[@mackvelthouse5175]

For details, can you use the 3d printer; for figures and for vehicles ?

[@modelmantstewart1292]

Hey Andy is everything ok have not seen a new video for a while hoping your ok

[@jimhays2772]

One request from me is any information I can get on cleaning and shortcuts while airbrushing .

[@mitchrobertsstudios4736]

Depends on paint used.. Tamiya breaks up with Windex window cleaner.. then flush with water. Try not to let paint dry in the air brush.

[@martinhebda713]

Have the polish tank fighting Godzilla!

[@donfrandsen7778]

Hey, Andy.... Here is an idea build one of the new M3 Lee's mini art kit. Desert style US Armored Forces N. Africa like from the movie Sahara with Humphrey Bogart ....his tanks Name was LuLu Bell Do a diorama.....?!? Just an idea Andy Lol

[@davidsmithson9236]

Don Frandsen - That was a great old movie! Thanks for reminding me of it.

[@eugenerudman]

I could get used to the home-style videos. :D

[@aardwolf002]

With the current global event. How about doing a newbie build. Ie a fairly simple kit but only using very basic tools and minimal paints and brushes. Call it a $25 all in challenge.

[@Incrediblebowlesmodels]

How is the build coming with the 1/16 panther ?

[@pavelos3848]

Are you going to build RFM's Panzer IV Ausf. J or Meng's M4A3 (76) Sherman? Thank you

[@tonysimpson5310]

Hi just bought a Tamiya hornet RC car any tips on painting the body would help cheers.

[@robertbarocas8889]

Are there any kits of the "Bear " Soviet 4 turbo prop bomber I remember playing cat and mouse with them when i.was in the Air Forse

[@trevorstringer4602]

I think trumpeter made one Phil Flory built one , but i think it was a challenge.

[@kaleu6]

Yes, in both 1/72 and 1/44. Trumpeter also makes the TU-142 in those scales as well.

[@William220-t1z]

im looking for the ducati Panigale model .whats the cost

[@adriankeeble8342]

I was wondering if you can help trying to find replacement gun barrels for tiger tank

[@christ5469]

Andy Is there a kit to make a '69 Roadrunner A12? Or are there aftermarket parts to make it?

[@Emtbtoday]

Can you believe this was 7 months ago already!!!

[@Peachesoutingeorgia]

greetings from knysna south africa day something in lockdown. wher or how can i get dead soldiers for my diaramas can i buy them like milatary mimatures or make them like some people do ,pity living in a small coastel town nice models are hard to come by, anyway be safe and cant wait for the next q and a, martin south africa.

[@slartybartfarst55]

1:25 Fantastic!

[@brentstuckey9942]

You said G.W.H. do motobikes ? Could we see a unboxxing or a build please. Thanks for keeping me from going mad at this time. :> B

[@roberthomicz6552]

i would like see you building the U.S.S. TARAWA LHA -1 if possible.

[@MrsuperJerbear]

Great job. I have a question for you have you seen the move tank girl. If so what tank is it that she modifies. I want to build a tank so I thought I would have fun with it and try to build that one.

[@niceslippers]

It's a modified M5A1 Stuart. The original barrel was extended to look like a 105mm. A Cadillac El Dorado was cut up and the rear end pleased at the back of the tank. Parts from the front of the car were added to the tank too.

[@niceslippers]

*placed

[@MrsuperJerbear]

Do you have M5A1 Stuart?

[@niceslippers]

@@MrsuperJerbear No, I don't. I know Andy sells them on his website if you are in the Continental USA. Tamiya do a nice version.

[@MrsuperJerbear]

Sorry I thought it was Andy replying. Didn’t look at the name. That’s though.

[@Martian_Productions]

Hey Andy, I was wondering if you have any idea what happened to Bronco? I used to see their kits every now and then, but they’ve pretty much disappeared.

[@Badbunny666]

Martian Productions. They are still around, are you in the US? European stores have their stock. They are a Chinese company so it’s possible that recent trade disputes might have effected US shipping.

[@Martian_Productions]

I am in the US. I don’t think it’s a trade dispute because I haven’t really seen many of their kits for three or four years.

[@samturpie1756]

What actually is slide molding? I’ve heard of it a few times but have no idea what it is

[@Tomah4wkVideos]

Normally models get stamped from top to bottom with two molds meeting in the middle. The slide mold has holes on the side too. These pins slide in from the side, to make hollow shapes for instance (gun barrels are a good example).

[@Justin-zi5io]

Slide molding is a molding technique used to hollow out gun barrels and other things Usual molding is like this Mold Plastic Mold Slide molded kits have more than 2 molds like this Mold Plastic Mold Mold

[@samturpie1756]

Thanks