Fundamental Friday - (Episode 44) - AMT Kits are JUNK!!!!

[@DonnieGriffin-eo2eo]

I find myself want to get in a hurry when I was younger, now that I'm older (70) why get in a hurry, I build better and enjoy the hobby more. They are the same kits as my younger years

[@dh190852]

Anyone that thinks AMT kits are junk, has never suffered the great disappointment of buying a 98 cent Palmer Plastics kit from the 60's. The box-art was the best part of those kits.

[@daviddykes3026]

I build box stock AMT kits a LOT & love them. If it were not for Round 2, we'd not be getting these kits back today. GREAT VIDEO!

[@4trialsin]

Can agree more! I’ve been doing this well over 50 years. I’m in no hurry, I’ll build AMTs all day long. Another great video. Thanks!

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

I've built a few AMT kits all of them went together great. Have a great day.

[@jamesdalton7191]

People lose sight that models are toys that you get to build and use imagination with. They are supposed to be fun! Pick your body, pick your paint color, pick your engine and wheels and get down with it and enjoy! Then build another! 😎🏁

[@kevinnobody3052]

I love the Green Elephant. That kit is Kool with a capital K

[@ghrobbs]

Excellent video! You're in my prayers friend.

[@Builtbyronny]

👍 greetings from Norway 🇳🇴

[@felixculpa6240]

I agree, I'll find myself cussing out a good ol' AMT kit and that little voice in my head kicks in and says "C'mon man, you know you love AMT" ♡lol

[@modelrestorations]

Well said Donn. Personally I love AMT kits and am happy there still making the kits! Love your builds!

[@johntriglia3947]

Love your videos. Not all AMT kits are junk. But some are a hoot to build. God bless you.

[@scooterdoughmas3012]

that interior o the 61 bel air is magnificent my friend luv your channel and thanks for sharing scooter out 😎😘

[@steelcityrailroad5095]

Can't beat the AMT box art 👌

[@jeffhyde7934]

I don't understand people! All kits have their problems, it's like you said, take your time, and it'll be a great model!!!! You have to put the time in, to build a great model! I'm a mechanic by trade, so I can't build anything out of the box, I have to "correct" things to my liking. Thanks for the videos!!!!

[@HobbyBarn]

Great video Donn. Any kit is what you make of it. Even the best ones can have issues. Have a great weekend buddy and hope you are feeling better. Terry

[@jeffrice5830]

You nailed it, kit bash and Model On.

[@nomadbsa1]

RIP a very good modeler

[@ronstewart9792]

Don't know why some people bash AMT so bad. I have been building AMT since the early 60's. Thanks for the video Donn. Ron

[@b-rabbit9166]

In Australia, we have amt kits and they are as good as revells ones to a point, ok I was missing a whole interior but hey that's how we learn to make our own....

[@CMC440]

GREATINGS FROM POLAND!

[@bkmodelcars]

Young man look like your still doin good. 👍👍 keep up the good work

[@z06autocrosser]

I just opened a new kit...amt 63 Corvette. Definitely was not thrilled with some of it but oh well. Just getting back into the hobby after 30 years away. Thanks for the video!

[@ledheadkustomplastic3442]

I'm totally with you on this one, KINDA! Yeah I consider some of the kits to be JUNK and I'd rather not deal with them but as you said with patients and a little imagination they can be done nice.. I'VE SEEN IT.... 😎👍

[@frizzosmodels]

I agree it’s all what you put into it. They all need work. More you do more it looks better. Happy new year to you and your family 🙏. 🫵🏻🤘🏻

[@greenthousands]

I've built some AMT and MPC kits. I had fun. It's modeling, so there's some sanding and fitting to do, but that's the fun of the hobby. Even the newest "wonderkits" from Tamiya don't have everything you want, and you'll need to put in the work to add details or the stance you want.

[@animalyze7120]

Even crap like Tamiya recycled slot car nonsense requires sanding and gap filling. People these days tend to want no effort rewards thus they cry about using the 'ol elbow grease. Models from Day 1 always required tools and patience some to a more or less degree.

[@jimmymartin4606]

Hey don another great fundmental Fridays video,I have been building revell,monogram and AMT kits as a kid in the 60,s,I consider amt kits as excellent,they are not JUNK,I will keep building AMT kits.peace be with you brother.

[@smithgorrilugum4574]

As far back as when I was a kid (near the dawn of time), AMT was my favorite model car company. The bodies seemed the most accurate and the subject matter was what drew me to their model car products. Even the vintage box art was some of the coolest in the industry.

[@curb9170]

I think the people that complain about AMT (MPC) kits forget that many molds were designed in the '50's - '70's. Promos became toys and when the model building aspect came along, Modelers were happy to build the models. Were the models from the factory perfect? I doubt anyone cared. They built the model and as time went by, they became better builders or they gave up the hobby for one reason or another. I'm '68 and still learning about building better models.

[@johngrocki4243]

Good Morning Donn and a very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours. Until watching todays episode, I was that guy. I would not even consider an AMT kit because of their short falls and was always in awe of the subject matter that they offered that no other kit makers would offer but as always I've learned a great lesson by watching and listening to what you have to say today and will use AMT for my next kit bash project. As always, thank you and best of health.

[@rollandcaissie1945]

Thanks Don! I agree!

[@scottborkowski2411]

go buy the super stones firestone ford kit and check out out twisted the chassis and pickup box are. I worked my tail off and still couldnt get it straight. The box sides had to be heated up and bent back close

[@conniepowell9309]

Preach it brother!!!! True modelers understand that part of the fun is making a kit better than it was produced! God bless you bro 🙏

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Agreed, a "Pro Modeler" anyone with years of experience and skills can fix most anything !! I'm 64' now and it took me years to learn with my many different Hobby skills for different types of modeling like Cars, Aircraft, Armor, Ships and especially Horror/Sci-Fi figures and HO scale model Railroad Kitbashing, where every road and era has many different add ons and paint/decals !! It all takes years and many failures sadly !! 🧐 👍

[@diggernator]

"minimum effort for maximum gain" sums up today's attitudes across a range of subjects, but apparently also scale modelling. And a timely lesson for us all, now to track down a few AMTs here in New Zealand. Thanks for the post Sir (from a new subscriber 😎)

[@ngauruhoezodiac3143]

I built lots of AMT kits in my early teens. I liked them because they had the options of stock, drag and custom. That left me with a big array of parts ( engines ranging from a Willys 4 banger to a 426 Hemi, for example) that made it possible to customise any kit any way I wanted.

[@bravobravoh1344]

Those kits turned out absolutely gorgeous.

[@robertlafontaine4238]

Great show Donn! Thank you!

[@randallmccoy8581]

AMT kits are not junk. I was weaned on AMT and REVELL kits. They made the COOL STUFF. Yes they are old molds now, and some cleaning up and retooling here and there is probably called for. Nice upgrades these days on many of the tires though, featuring PAD PRINTED tire letters including vintage Firestones and the like where appropriate. Plenty of flash sometimes on many of the parts but the kit itself is all there as it was so many decades ago. Buying a kit at 61 that I remember buying at 10 or 11...including the original box art...WAY COOL...takes me way back in a most delightful way. Some kits from the 60s are as old as I am. AMT and REVELL are the backbone of 1/25 scale car modelling. For anything and everything from the American big 3...GM, FORD and CHRYSLER, they have it covered. 80% of the cars on my shelf are AMT and the rest are REVELL. Without having those 2 producers growing up...I would have had to build....who knows what ...???.

[@animalyze7120]

Great video Donn! People have an impossible time understanding the difference between a Model and a Replica, 2 totally different beasts, 1 is representative the other is 100% accurate to the detail. Last I checked all kits sold in the US by MPC, AMT, Tamiya, Revell and so on, clearly state "Model" on the box. Nowhere do they say 100% accurate replica. Kinda silly how dumb folk seem to permeate the scene with Zero understanding yet claim they know something. Great way to explain it as it always stay great!

[@charlespalavros6952]

Happy New Year.. Prayers out to you

[@bernardogrobeisenweingersz9768]

Happy new year God Bless you and your family

[@timothyharrison8953]

AMT, MPC and the old Revell kits are skill builders. Hell, even the old Tamiya, Hasegawa, Fujimi, Doyusha, etc., I'm sure there are others, weren't like the current clip off the tree, and assemble kits the Japanese produce now. I've not been building quite as long as you, but I did start in the early seventies. Monogram was probably the easiest to build out of the box, but they weren't perfect either. Like others said, I'm glad Round2 is digging out, revitalizing, and reissuing these old kits, so we have a second chance at them. Hopefully Atlantis will have the same impact. Those who are complaining, do your research and don't cry. Improvise, adapt, overcome!

[@MarKoCustomBuildModels]

Great video. I think every kit can be what you make of it. Good stuff.

[@immanutt4442]

Hey you ol' silver fox just checking in on the lone wolf - from the guy you painted a couple Camaros for me few years back to be used for drag slot cars but way too nice - take care my friend !!!

[@wwendtLongIslandHomes]

Hi Don. Always love you videos. Thank you for your contributions to modeling world. For me making up for errors in manufacturing of kits makes all the fun and challenges Good health my friend

[@brianlewis6926]

All companies have there bad kits but I'm happy that they are producing the kits, it's better than not having it at all

[@rustyrussum2432]

Happy New year to you too !

[@michaelsulpizio606]

Donn: I stand by what you said 100%as far as gray hairs go you and I look to be about the same I’ve been building models for approximately since about 1952 . I can actually say that when AMT was the original AMT that I Built the first series 3 in 1 1932 Ford roadster kits when they came out , as soon as they hit the hobby shops! I thought they were so Bitchin , I I think I may have been the first kid to coin the word Bitchin! LOL 😂 I was born the first year that The first issue of Hot Rod Magazine came out, which will tell you how old I am. As you said the auto manufacturers supplied the model Co. with the specs! And I believe the models seemed to come out along as the new models of the cars came out!? With of coarse the early Ford Model T’s, A’s and B’s and so on. All were as close or right to spec as could possibly be expected! They were absolute fun to build and still are! It all prompted me to enter an Automobile restoration vocation that lasted and suited me till some 54 years down the road retired now, and missing the everyday customizing, fabricating, painting and assembling A- number 1 concourse Classic automobiles! From every era! So I’ve come full circle back to building models my most recent being an AMT 34 Ford 5 window coupe with the doors cut out and hinged along with the trunk cut out and hinged. Also have a full size 1949 Plymouth business coupe , Pro street I’m working on when the weather permits , as I live in the land of frozen ass cold weather, Colorado regards my friend keep building the well engineered models! Thanks for taking a stand! Not many people will do that in today’s day and age! ……….

[@dmgscalemodels2825]

Any kit can be difficult if you don't do the prep work! I am not a pro by any means, but I try my best with each kit. Some kits are worse than others due to how they were stored and shipped, but if you take your time you can work through them and get a good result!

[@robertschildt306]

Hey happy new year! Those are some sweet looking models !

[@lltrans6317]

I just turned 71 on Jan 1st and totally agree with you Donn and the comments of the older builders. As I got older I took more time and added more detail to the builds for a far better looking model when complete. Take your time and enjoy the ride. It’s supposed to be fun and somethings may take more time but it’s not a race and in the end you, as a builder, will appreciate it more. Happy New Year to everyone, Donn, family & Jake and all builders! Happy Building!

[@samcolt1079]

I built this same model willies. AMT were great models.

[@travisstoneking4049]

Thanks for another video. 🤘🏼

[@cpear760]

I was always happy to build AMT/MPC over the years. It was the Monogram/Revell where I seemed to run into more problems with. But that was awhile ago as I check what year it is. Marriage wrecked my ability to continue the hobby. And now as I rebuild my kit collection, I think that's a novel idea to combine the brands when you want to build a certain car/model.

[@antonhoward9027]

I'm in the UK. as a kid I bought lots of AMT kits, they were my favourites and still are but we just can't get them here any longer😥

[@superprettyko]

DON, HAPPY NEW YEAR. I agree with what you say about the kits, any. It's a starting point, the more you do the better the car or what ever gets. It does take time. I started building in 1960. I still have some of the firsts. BOY has the hobby grown in what one can do with a kit. I collect CORVETTE kits, have over 925 mostly factory sealed. It's a great hobby. Great video , ALL OF THEM. Keep them coming.

[@billybleedscrimsonblood9478]

You're dead on as usual. I can't believe at the "so-called" modelers who whine about flash. If you don't sand your parts to begin with, you're already starting out on the wrong foot. The key to getting straight lines and an awesome paint job. The key is prep work, prep work, and prep work! What you put in is what you're going to get out!

[@tonysangster7947]

I've been around a while too and some of my proudest moments were with AMT kits. I have to say Revell kits I tried to build in the seventies as a kid were beyond my skill level. AMT kits always managed to get finished and they have a lot of great ones like your 62 Belair, 67 Impalas, 61 Impala, 65 Coronet etc. My stash is likely half or better AMT kits. Keep up the great insights man. Cheers to you and yours!

[@kenmorris2858]

Great video. Happy New Year and all the very best. Hope all the sorts teams in Pittsburgh have a fantastic season, even the Penguins...

[@markn.7623]

AMT junk? NOPE! A long time ago, I got a model kit of a Tempest short wheelbase funny car (The Funny Farmer.) I loved it, it was AMT. The only real shortcoming it had was that the tires were molded plastic, something that could be replaced with rubber tires, and something I wished I had at the time. Those were the days!

[@jamescahill2192]

I agree with you if you want a nice model you got to put the time into it

[@CycolacFan]

The ‘57 tool dates from 1962, but I suspect that beautiful 1962 Bel Air is the 1990s tooling rather than the original 1960s one…? 🤔 but yeah, they’re what you make of them. I’ve had great kits and terrible ones from virtually every manufacturer. Tamiya? Check out their early motorised ones, no chassis detail, shallow interiors, over wide wheels and tyres etc, etc. 🙂

[@brsnorthernhorsejourney3579]

I mainly build Class 7 and 8 trucks (6, 10 and 18 wheelers) so AMT kits are the "only game in town" for a lot of projects. And they aren't bad, especially when you consider when many of them were tooled which was back in the 1970's. And AMT's truck and trailer kits seem to be fairly accurate, in contrast to some of the Italeri truck kits (ironically now sold under the AMT label!) such as the Superliner and Ford LTL which are both on Freightliner FLC frames. Granted, the Italeri parts fit is much nicer but from an accuracy point of view they don't score as well. In the same manner you described of combining AMT body and portions of chassis with Revell parts to make an accurate replica, I tend to view kits as sources of parts which are combined, along with scratch building and some aftermarket parts as necessary, to create a miniature of a particular truck.

[@gordonenquist36]

Thank you Donn. There will always be whiners, no matter what the hobby. But, at the end of the day that box of parts is only a kit...................

[@judygarnhum2992]

Hi Mr. Yost! No doubt, you are the best! I really appreciate all your teachings! Do you ever do old rusty wrecks? Thank you! Judy (age 77) in Nova Scotia, Canada

[@daviddarby6986]

Sounds like jigsaw puzzles might be more your friend's vibe.

[@jeffyoung8726]

Old man, you're spot on about the AMT kits! Since I started building, "way back when" I will occasionally have certain issues with any kit, not just AMT! These kits are made of plastic. Plastic often shifts in weather/climate what have you? But like you said, "and are correct about" it's about time put in. Patience is the key! If you are patient and take the time needed, you will get what you are looking for. That's what I learned!

[@MonsterHobbiesModelCarGarage]

A bit of flash and maybe a bad fitting hood with a little gap and some people lose their minds. It's a shame they have to beat on "good 'ol AMT".

[@davidchin350]

Every brand has its good and bad kits. I grew up with all the domestic brands. Love Monogram & AMT 👍

[@TheCarcarpenter]

Sweet models

[@PaterVR]

Right now I’m working on the GMC general coke a cola and its really fun

[@pattyc8942]

Happy New Year!

[@randyhelsel9438]

I love AMT kits. From the time I was 8 until I turned 16 I built literally a few hundred kits, most of which were AMT. I absolutely hated Revell kits. I got out of the hobby at 16 (started building real hotrods) and got back into modeling about 5 years ago when I retired. Still liking AMT kits the best.

[@blkft]

I'd rather spend the time and effort doing something fun,,, like building a AMT kit, than spending time and effort doing something mundane,,, like work for a living. But like everything else the go hand in hand. 🙂

[@daviddennison4201]

"Junk" ="More challenging"

[@juniorworkshop1918]

I love any kit to me I am ok Amt ,MPC , REVELL, MONOGRAM, 👋😎👍

[@ckna6739]

Happy new year

[@ronaldopereira2838]

Without effort there's no gain, I enjoy more the hobby, when there's inside some challenge.

[@Coyote9771]

THE 67 GT350 is a great kit from amt

[@timothymelick7085]

Great video as always i wish you the best as a side note i wish i could get a refund from testors rust-oleum for there junk paint just had to say it. From there sray bombs

[@timemachinesscalemodels]

Each company has had their duds. With that said, each and everyone can be whatever you want it to be with time and patience. I just don't listen to the gripers. I chalk it up to the difference between assemblers and builders.

[@WhoaAbernathy]

Right on the money, as usual. Glad you're going strong, brother!

[@edwardcox2840]

It depends who are building them 🤔

[@Dakahrii]

Were the MPC and Revell models also work with the engineers from Detriot?

[@georgetaylor5482]

How can you improve your modeling skills if everything just falls together, I like a challenge.

[@joesrustshop4509]

That blue bubble top, it appears to be a 90s issue, or is it a earlier version?.

[@williambaer8670]

It's to bad kids don't get into models you can learn alot about cars and it fun

[@memorylanemodelcars]

R.I.P. Donn. I truly LOVE My AMTs. Most Ho Together without Issues but All AMT instructions Say Test Fit & 🔁. And They Meant It if you Follow that Religiously ?? Problems Seldom occur Just my Experience at 61 yrs old

[@michaelhintzmikesminiature1812]

👍👍👍👍

[@t3hgir]

but imagine if Tamiya made 1/24 muscle cars...

[@t3hgir]

I'm working on a 1/25th AMT belair coupe (that actually is 1/24 scale, nice) and I get what Don is saying now. The body proportions are EXACT.

[@williamrankin8440]

AMT is junk. But I don’t care. I will buy an AMT model knowing full well there will be extra work to get what I want. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose. Either way I love the nostalgia of the old models.

[@michaelcooke2559]

I think the people that bash AMT are people who don’t want to take the time necessary to build a good model, and in my opinion they aren’t modelers. Thanks for sharing.

[@erix5184]

Some of us do models to relax and have fun, not be frustrated as hell trying to fix an overpriced $30+ 40 year old AMT tooling in a shiny new lunchbox.

[@donstevenson2660]

Time takes it's toll! Some of these molds are in no better shape than my 70 year old body, but some like Round2 are trying to keep the flame burning. Sure, I wish for a scenario like the 80's where a manufacturer would bankroll a faithful model of a modern Tim McAmis ProMod, but I won't live to see that. 3D printers have some promise, but at my age I'm just trying to gain a little ground completing the kits in my closet. I won't bite the hands that have fed us over the years, but hope for new options in the future.

[@animalyze7120]

It's the newer cheap plastic that get through the seals (Spaces) designed for thicker plastics. It's not the molds, it's the crap recycled thin plastic.

[@chipps1066]

Always were ,especially the Semis and trailers.Ertl was a 500% better kit.

[@tfgv1038]

Feel like most of the builders that Constantly complain about AMT flash and parts not fitting perfect should just start collecting Diecast cars and stop complaining

[@bandwagon240]

They were great back in the day until the precision masters that are Tamiya and Hasegawa came around.

[@acrowe2512]

I like AMT car kits. Don't know why but they tend to be a challenge that I welcome. I also like how easy they are to modify to your own liking.

[@richardjordan5036]

A kit is as good or as bad as you make it.I have taking some really bad kits or what some would think is bad and turn it into a beauty.Learn how to scratch build.

[@Bob0sModelFabWorx]

I have to disagree. To a point. After watching over a year + of your channel, I will agree with what you laid out for kit bashing. But it's no longer an AMT kit, now is it? That fact that you advised to use other parts from other kits suggests that the AMT kit is junk. Otherwise you wouldn't need the other Mfg's. kit parts. Now, I would challenge you to use ONLY AMT parts and build a 1966 Mustang kit. In fact, I dare you. Then get back to us and say that AMT is not junk.