[dcalonaci]

Hello, I am completely new (but already fell) for this hobby.

I have my very first figure sitting on the shelf, a boxed Caltek Preacher out of the game love (but sincerely, I was waitingfor some time to finally enter the 1/6 detailed game) + a lot of items for kitbashing: DAM HK416, Fast Helmet with Goggles, Grenades, Pouches, TTM21 body for the Caltek knee issue etc...

I have visited some pages of the Tips and Tricks forum area - but I would like a little help to better enter the hobby with some general rules that I have not found.

If they are already present, a redirect will be highly appreciated too.

Ok, as a very new starter questions are basic: what are the general tools used to kitbash a figure (not talking about weathering, but to put on pouches and similar)

How do you put on pouches? How do you tie them? How do you put on an helmet and the googles battery on the back?
What are the foam protection that came with the helmet? How do you use them?

Sorry for the real basic level of questions here, I am a completely noob - but an enthusiast one (already ordered three figures more)

Thank you very much for all the help that you will give

 

[highwayman57]

A good set of tweezers is helpful when attaching pouches to vests.

David

 

[pukingdog]

An assortment of fine tweezers is definitely good. Various forceps as well. You can also benefit from a small wire (or even a straightened paper clip) with a little hook bent on one end. You thread it thru openings, and use it to "fish" straps back through them.

The close cell foam padding unfortunately often lacks a guide. The shapes can often indicate where they should be placed: large round or oval piece for the crown of the head, smaller shapes to protect back of skull, sides, and front. Depending on the size of the head sculpt, ears, molded hair, or added comms, it might be necessary to leave some/all out.

The battery pack, I cannot say. Haven't tackled one yet, myself.

There's other tips posted about, often in a variety of threads, casually mentioned. You might have some luck with keywording specific techniques in the Search function.

 

[itchybitz]

First of all let me welcome you aboard and to a very novel and entertaining hobby - I will dispense with the addiction and expense jokes - and I think you may find this link rather helpful, I know I did
My Most Indispensable Tools

 

[Warge]

A good set of tweezers is helpful when attaching pouches to vests.

David

This. When putting a figure together, a pair of needlenose tweezers IS in fact all you need, but I also keep a bottle of Tamiya liquid cement and a tube of epoxy glue nearby in case of critical failure (ie, breakage).

Modern figures are in general a bitch to put together, but I rmember having some serious problems putting on a gasmask pouch on a WWII British soldier... :bag

 

[tigerstr]

I am a newbie myself, so I will say what i found essential in doing about 10 kitbashes/ esfigures the last 2 months or so.

1. Tweezers, preferably 1 straight nosed and 1 angled nosed, plus one of the kind women use to pick their eyebrows ( with flat nose-helps to push MOLLE straps).

2. Glue. For items that dont stay in their place or items you broke while trying to do something (from boot eyelids to gun parts).

3. Needles/pins, I use them to prode in some cases and also to transfer very limited amounts of glue to the object I want to fix.

4. Small file ( like from a nail clipper) Mostly used for gun accessories that are too tight for the gun rails. You file gently the inside part of the accessory that goes on the rail. If you over do it, it will be very loose and will fall of the rail when gun is moved. Can be used in other cases when items dont "match" as they should.

5. Sandpaper ( 400) Same use as No 4 above, when you want to be very precise

6. Small scissors. To cut things. Use with discretion.

7. Magnifiyng glass. Because some things are simply too small to see clearly without it. Or I am getting old. :wink

8. A very good articulated desk top light with white cold lightbulb. It helps with all this small stuff.

9. An X acto blade- still havent bought this one though...

10. A Hairdryer to help get stuck hands-pegs etc , off from bodies (if you pull too much, something may break!) and to quick dry things that you washed in your 1/6 inventory

Not essential but I found it usefull...

11. Good quality double face adhesive tape. (small cut-offs) For things you want to attach, but not in a permanent way and IF the "thickness" of the tape does not show much. Like a strobe light (or maybe an NVG battery pack? -I have done it with a strobe light but not with battery pack) on a helmet.

 

[onesixthpolice]

First and foremost though......a set of iron nerves! :lol

 

[dcalonaci]

I already knew bit god, this amazing answers just keep proving it - your guys really are great! Please krep yhem coming, Aldo I'm very thankful to Evert one of you. Sorry for errors, Tony phone with t9, might get tweezer for this AS well

 

[Davinator65]

Welcome

Pouches

To do the pouches I use tiny screw drivers to weave them in and out...

Helmet

http://www.gentexcorp.com/assets/base/technicalpublications/tp0286.pdf
There should be velcro on the back of the helmet, if not, they should have included them. Just place it on the helmet.
As far as the foam, use your best judgement as to what goes where. It really doesn't matter because they are never going to see it.

Hope this helps.

 

[dadrab]

Perhaps too obvious, but a good pair of magnifying glasses can help very much.

Welcome to the hobby and to the forum. Have a long and healthy stay.

 

[dcalonaci]

Thank you very much everyone, really solid sdvices!

I think what I need now is just some time to get really started on those figures, especially the Soldier Story pouches I purchased separately...