Reddit mentions: The best model buliding books

I'll preface this with "to each his own". :)

I'd definitely recommend visiting a local club launch, NAR or Tripoli. I am a member of both our local chapters and the national organizations, so I can fly more often and meet more people.

Estes has a "designers special" that has lots of parts, cones, body tubes, etc. I'd encourage you, however, to not skip over their easy stuff (like the E2X Pro Series kits especially), they make a lot of great kits that you can learn a lot from. I'm Level 2 right now and I still buy simple kits sometimes just to have something easy to fly. Right now my favorite "quick" rocket is the Estes Majestic. Slapped it together in a short evening and was flying it the next day. Lots of fun.

I too am a "born again rocketeer", doing lots when I was a kid, stopping for a long time, then picking up again when I had kids old enough to fly, about 6 years ago. I re-started with the basic Estes kits and worked my way up. Now I'm about to do my Level 3 certification.

When we re-started, I had a hobby knife, cutting mat, and some glue. I bought a launch set kit so I had a launcher and pad. Everything I needed to build fit in a shoe box. Everything I needed to fly, including motors, fit in a shoe box. We hauled a "tv tray" table out to the launch site (a nearby park or soccer field) and flew. Simple.

Then I discovered my local Tripoli club. One visit and I was hooked.

Now half a room is dedicated to build supplies, materials and workspace, and a large number of various size rockets. Build supplies are on three different rack systems around the room, with bins dedicated to things like adhesives, sanding, measuring, airbrushing, electronics, clamps, and parts boxes full of hardware. I get new parts, tools, or other things on a very regular basis. You will always find something else you need. One thing I never knew I'd need was a razor saw with a mini miter box. Use it all the time now. The only thing I can say you will for sure need it a cutting instrument, appropriate adhesives, and time. :)

We haul two large toolboxes to launches, one with just motors and ignition stuff and another with other things like gloves, wipes, field repair supplies and radios. We also take a folding table, a portable shelter, rocket stands, chairs, and of course the mandatory Boonie Hat.

Everybody has their own thing, find your thing and enjoy it. I know guys who love steampunk rockets, or only do accurate scale rockets, or only low power, or only high power. One guy we see like once a year and he brings some monster rocket out and flies it once.

Me, I fly for fun, so I have Baby Bertha rockets and I have a 6+ foot tall 4" rocket with a 54mm motor. I'll fly them both the same day, for the joy of it.

You will also find LOTS of "religious arguments", things like the best this or that. Epoxy, fillet material, finishing method, spray paint, people who only fly Estes or hate Estes and only fly PML. Just do what works for you. Have fun and be safe, listen and learn, and share.

There are a few good books out there as well, depending on what you want to get into.

Handbook of Model Rocketry


Modern High Power Rocketry

I got started with friends, just going out and launching some kits a friend had built. Then I thought I should get my own to have some time, in case we did it again. I meant to just get a few pre-made rockets so I wouldn't have to do any building or mess anything up.

I went on Amazon, and saw a rocket called Der Red Max by Estes - it's in this video several times. It's a classic Estes rocket that's red and black and styled a bit like the Red Baron's airplane. It was so cool looking, and was only 17 bucks, but it required assembly - something I was nervous about. But they only had one left, so I bought it, carefully read the instructions, and put it together, and it turned out looking beautiful. Once I launched it, and it worked and flew so well, I was hooked.

From there, I started reading stuff online. There is a TON of information and resources out there. A good website to ask questions is The Rocketry Forum (TRF) - especially the beginner's section. There are a lot of experts there who will help you out.

There are lots of ways to start, but I recommend starting by getting something called a launch set or launch kit. With this, you get a rocket (or two), plus a launch pad and launch controller for less than you'd pay buying these things separately. I didn't have one right away, since I was using a friend's equipment, but I wanted my own, so I got one. I gave the rocket away to a kid who came to a launch, but I still have the pad and controller.

Several rocket companies, particularly Estes and Quest Aerospace, have these. My own recommendation is to start with Estes, as it's the most prevalent company, and you can get everything you need through them.

You can get an Easy To Assemble ("E2X) or Ready-to-Fly kit, or if you want to do some assembly, you can get what's called a Skill Level 1 kit. These are not difficult, but require a bit of cutting, sanding and gluing, and the ability to read and follow directions.

The Launch Kit gives you everything you need to get started except motors - sometimes called "engines" (doesn't matter - they make the rocket go up) - and recovery wadding. You'll need some of that (there's other stuff you can use - cheaper stuff, too, but when you're just getting started, it's the easiest).

Get the kit, follow the instructions, and buy the motors recommended on the package. Read and follow the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Model Rocket Safety Code. This will help you avoid hurting yourself or someone else, which could put you off the whole thing.

Go out and launch your rockets. Then, when you've inevitably decided you want to do more and know more, check out TRF, and get yourself a copy of The Handbook of Model Rocketry by G. Harry Stine and Bill Stine. It's required reading. Won't tell you much about how to assemble kits - they all come with instructions anyway - but it will help you understand the important basics of the hows and whys of model rockets.

I've got a blog in which I've been detailing my learning process of building and launching rockets over the last six months, and I also try to pass on information to people just getting started - rocketry for beginners by a beginner - so that they can maybe learn from my mistakes. Check it out, if you want to, and send me an email, and I can send you some more information if you'd like.

This is a really fascinating, fun hobby, and there's so much to learn. It can get really sophisticated and amazing - I like to tell my friends "it's not just for Webelos any more."

Edit: Oh, and if you're already past the part of building and launching a couple rockets, then I'd get that book and head straight for TRF - those are the next logical steps, I think.

Edit #2: Here's a more detailed post on launching your first rockets.

Cosmetic wedges are infinitely superior to cotton buds (q-tips) when it comes to blending/cleaning up oil washes, watercolour washes or weathering powders.

I save the plastic-topped cork stoppers from whiskey and gin bottles, as they make excellent mounts to hold single models while painting.

Its good to have a supply of pokey sticks on hand. Toothpicks, bamboo skewers, coffee stirrers, bits of wire - they're all useful for stirring paint, prodding bits into place or encouraging superglue into the right spot.

Masking tape - Tamiya and 3M ScotchBlue are excellent for painting patterns like camo, hazard stripes or heraldry. Silly Putty is also amazing if you're airbrushing and need a quick mask.

Baking soda (not baking powder) makes superglue harden instantly and fill gaps. Don't use it for glueing miniatures, but it works very well if you're building your own scenery or doing a scenic base.

Model-making and working at small scale extends way beyond Warhammer. Look to model railways, historical stuff, architectural model-making, props, costume and theatre design, and you'll find masses of useful tips and ideas.

Edit:
This is one of the few very good books on model-making with loads of interesting tips and resources. The book's author David Neat has a great site with plenty of things to learn

Full disclosure, I'm editing a 1-year-old grassroots scale modeling magazine, so take that for what it's worth.

You can find some instructional books out there. In some ways, just pick the newest one, as the techniques, and more to the point, the products, that modelers use change over time. Although there are always some fundamentals.

A recent, beginners-level book is The Airfix Book of Scale Modelling. It covers a lot of the basics in a modern style: http://www.amazon.com/Airfix-Book-Scale-Modelling/dp/1844861260


Similarly, Finescale Modeler/Kalmbach have some beginer's books: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_12?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=finescale%20modeler&sprefix=finescale+mo%2Cstripbooks%2C150

There are also some lines of books that cover one modeling subject in depth, through multiple builds. Osprey has a series of Modeling the... books, such as Modeling the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. These will focus more on detailing, accuracy, etc., and less on pure basics. ADH Publishing has a series of How to Build... single-subject volumes covering some of the recent large-scale releases like Tamiya's 132 scale P-51D and F4U-1 Corsair, and Revell's 1/32 scale Spitfire Mk.IIa and Bf 109 G-6.

I'd recommend finding a magazine you like as well. The articles will tend to be recent, and the authors will usually cover the latest, greatest tips and techniques. There are several general interest magazines (Tamiya Model Magazine, Finescale Modeler, Airfix Model World, and of course, Scale Modeling Quarterly, etc.), and several specific subject ones (Scale Auto, Model Airplane Int., Model Military Int., Military Illustrated Modeller AFV & MIM Aircraft, Scale Aviation Modeller Int., etc.).

You also should take a look at some of the many youtube videos. In terms of a subscription video option, Florymodels.com is great. Phil Flory is a really down-to-earth modeler, focused on the basics of building. He has tutorial video builds that cover all the basic, and he posts multi-part builds of each of his projects so you can see the techniques he uses, problems he encounters, and his solutions. It's well produced, and worth the ~$5 a month.

You should keep checking out builds online as well. Most forums, like arcforums.com for a start, have in-progress build sections where you can follow along with a project.

Finally, if you're near an IPMS (International Plastic Modelers' Society) club, take the time to go to a meeting. Our local club regularly puts on demonstrations of techniques at the meetings.

This may be more than you're looking for, but you'll rarely find everything you need to know in once place. Learning to build scale models is long-term skill-building process. You need to practice; watching pros do it is great, but only putting glue to plastic will help you develop the skills. And there are hundreds of skills that you can learn, none of them necessarily the right or best way.

I enjoyed LEGO Minifigure Year by Year: A Visual History. It's more fluff, but the sheer number of figures is fun to go through. Add in the bonus minifigures and it's a good trip down memory lane. Plus it's easy to find below $25. Most of the DK books aren't worth it.

As /u/afuckloadoflego said, The Cult of LEGO is a great read and looks at the AFOL side of building. Warning: reading this may unlock a LEGO hungry monster in you.

Also Brick by Brick sounds fascinating, I need to pick that up.

Not so ...

Engines have been around a LOT longer than the internet. Before you could google anything, you could find books on the subject. There are lots and lots of books on model engineering and building small engines of various sorts. I have some books on building miniature steam engines that are over 100 years old.

This one isn't terribly old:
https://www.amazon.com/Miniature-Internal-Combustion-Engines-Malcolm/dp/1861269218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539635163&sr=8-1&keywords=building+internal+combustion+engines

And it's a pretty good book - not really a beginners book or detailed how to get started book, but good nonetheless. As others have mentioned, I'd recommend building a simple steam engine first.

Here's a good book for doing that:
https://www.amazon.com/Making-Simple-Model-Steam-Engines/dp/1861267738/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1539635352&sr=1-1&keywords=model+steam+engines

It is more of a beginner's book with complete plans for several simple engines.

Good luck!

Can't go wrong with the handbook if you like dead trees.
http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Model-Rocketry-7th-Official/dp/0471472425/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416447676&sr=8-1&keywords=handbook+of+model+rocketry


For videos check out Apogee components youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/apogeerockets


Check out the National Association of Rocketry's website www.nar.org

Also www.tripoli.org but they are more focused on High Power, the NAR website has better beginner information.


I really like to point to starter kits as a good way to get started. They come with launch pads and proper ignition systems and instructions not only on how to build the rocket but also how to launch it.


Asking questions here is always a good idea!

> How much does an average launch cost?

There is no such thing as an "average launch." Even if you restrict this to a specific motor class, there are many other things to factor in such as whether you factor in all of your shop supples, how much you need to spend on gas driving to a launch site, whether you factor in club fees, and countless other items.

> Is there any website better than amazon for buying engines, wadding paper, etc.?

For LPR motors, typically the best price can be had at Michaels taking advantage of their 40% off coupons. For MPR and HPR motors, you can often get your best deal purchasing from an on-site vendor at a club launch, particularly if HAZMAT shipping is required.

> How far can I expect the rocket to drift after the parachute deploys?

Depends entirely on the wind speed and the size of your parachute. This can be modeled in a simulator such as OpenRocket.

> And are there any good books/websites about this hobby that can possibly tell me more?

This is your best read for getting started:

http://homepage.usask.ca/~llr130/launch/wmci-estes_rocket_manual.pdf

Apogee Components has a huge amount of info on their website but unfortunately navigating it is an absolute nightmare. They also have a great channel on youtube.

This is pretty much the definitive guide in print:

https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Model-Rocketry-7th-Official/dp/0471472425

And when you move into larger rockets:

https://www.amazon.com/Modern-High-Power-Rocketry-Mark-Canepa/dp/1412058104

I'm pretty sure the Handbook of Model Rocketry (made by NAR) is pretty good; I have an copy which I've looked at a little bit and it seems pretty thorough in covering the subject. It looks like there's also a kindle version, here's the amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Model-Rocketry-7th-Official/dp/0471472425

Check to make sure your needle valve is open 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 turns.

If you can get to the carb inlet, hold a finger over the opening, sealing it shut. With OUT power to the glow plug, turn the prop over by hand a few times. This creates a suction, pulling some fuel through the lines.

Connect glow power and give it a try.

Learning how to set the mixture is a bit of a learning curve. It’s a lot of “listening” involved and knowing the subtle differences between rich and lean. Too rich and it lacks power. Too lean and it overheats. If the engine ever locks up from heat, then you’re too lean.

heres a good book to pick up, very thorough

This is more focused on rocketry than space; however, this might be interesting. I have only read bits of it, but this sub has recommended it before as a relatively "gentle" introduction into rocketry, but also contains more technical material in the appendices if your child would like to forge ahead.


http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Model-Rocketry-Edition-Official/dp/0471472425


Though it concerns model rockets, many of the basic principles are all still relevant.


There are plenty of cheap older versions out there too that cover similar material, maybe just lacking a bit on electronics and internet resources.



Edit: if they are interesting in astronomy and those aspects maybe a basic introductory parent-child project on radio astronomy or a simple telescope would be fun too!


Here is an "Itty Bitty Telescope" project to make basic radio telescope if you happen to have an old TV Dish:
http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/epo/teachers/ittybitty/procedure.html


Other radio astronomy ideas too: http://www.radio-astronomy.org/getting-started

I like learning from books.

I suggest first going through this book: Handbook of Model Rocketry

Learn the concepts (things like CG, CP, thrust vs impulse, etc) and apply them by building multiple rockets with different aspects.

Once you've gotten everything you can out of that book, get this guy: Modern High-Power Rocketry 2. Work your way through it by joining a local NAR/Tripoli chapter. Get your L1 cert, spend some time there doing multiple projects. After you've done a fair amount, go get your L2. Maybe a year later, go for your L3. Projects you can do in each cert level:

• Go for speed
  
• Go for altitude
  
• Two stage
  
• Dual deploy
  
• Cluster
  
  Or just have fun building rockets you think look cool or are fun to fly!

Look at getting this book: http://www.amazon.com/Model-Making-Materials-Methods-David-Neat/dp/1847970176/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394646633&sr=8-1&keywords=modelmaking+materials

That would be my approach but I would also create a jig to hold the windows while they dry. I would also take my time. Allow each piece to dry well before moving on.

Also I never use CA (super glue) for anything clear. It usually fogs and unlike the solvents (welding type adhesion), it adds material to the pieces you are gluing. Here is a lot of good info for your next attempt: http://www.bcae1.com/plexi.htm

CG is easy -- put a motor in, pack the recovery system and find the point where it balances. That's the Center of Gravity.

CP is calculated via modeling. The easiest way is RockSim or Open Rocket. It's the center of aerodynamic pressure.

Do you understand the significance of CP and CG to flight stability? If not, I'd suggest you pick up and read a copy of either Modern High Power Rocketry 2 or The Handbook of Model Rocketry

Both are very good reads with a lot of great info.

If you've never built a boat before I would recommend getting "Building the Six-Hour Canoe".

$100 and 20 hours of work (never trust a designers building estimate) will give you a surprisingly able little boat and a pretty good feel for what you're letting yourself in for before you write a check for $1300.

Which, incidentally, seems a lot of money to pay for the materials necessary to build a plywood canoe.

I know paper books aren't "cool" with the "kids" these days, but Sheperd Paine's books are pretty great:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Build-Dioramas-Sheperd-Paine/dp/0890245517/

well i wrought this book on a whim as a way to teach my style of declining, in a way that would work for other people, as i prefer to just do it all free hand.

As i have gotten some bad reviews on it. I decided to post this here so i can get some feed back on how to improve upon it so my next book will be better. I will be reveling what my next book will be tomorrow morning in another post.

So please post what I can do to make it better. yes this is me being a bit shameless and asking you to buy my book, however its just 2.99 and if you have kindle unlimited its free. So I am not really making a lot of money on it. The reason I am posting this is so my next much longer gunpla building book will be a newtype conpaired to my first one.
thank you for taking the time to read this book

Sincerely:

Gungyver:

Well as I cant put my signature here i will just put this here =)

(written but not read)

Encase the link does not work here it is again: https://smile.amazon.com/Decals-details-plastic-models-Gunpla-ebook/dp/B00VQ0LECQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=fiona-hardware&ie=UTF8&qid=1468877436&sr=8-1&keywords=Decals%3A+How+to+hand+paint#nav-subnav

If you're in the US, this is the link to Waka's Robot Factory. It's well worth $5. I also purchased Waka's Mech World, which is just pictures, but is AMAZING.

Some resources:

Edit: based on comment below where you said it needs to be done by next tuesday, more advice: there may be kits and engines at wal-mart. If you can buy motors locally, do that since they need to be shipped ground and may not arrive in time. You can order kits & supplies from amazon today and they'll be here by friday; just make sure you get a kit that can use the engines you can get locally.

1. You can order kits, engines, and/or raw supplies for making rockets from several places online; I've ordered a few times from here: http://www.hobbylinc.com/model_rockets
   
   
2. Book: The Handbook of Model Rocketry by Stine. I used this book when I was starting out to build my own launch system, and learn how to build a model rocket. http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Model-Rocketry-Edition-Official/dp/0471472425/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396546539&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=handbook+of+model+rocketry+sixth
   
   
3. Open Rocket software: Rocket CAD design plus flight simulator. Useful for designing a rocket and checking your design. http://openrocket.sourceforge.net/download.html
   
   
4. Estes educator info, some good overview and tech docs there: http://www2.estesrockets.com/cgi-bin/wedu001P.pgm?p=publicat
   
   
5. Ohio 4H "design your own rocket" pdf: http://www.ohio4h.org/sites/d6-ohio4h.web/files/Designing%20Your%20Own%20Model%20Rocket.pdf

If you want an good first project that incorporates several building techniques that are used in boat-building but not-so-common in traditional construction, check out either the 6 hour canoe (amazon) of the Bevin's Skiff (asf.org). Both boats are great in the water, use very similar build techniques, and don't require many tools.

BTW, what is your current tool inventory? The Bevin's Skiff can be bought as a kit that requires only basic tools, yet provides more boat-building techniques than a stitch and glue boat.

you can try this book for basics

websites like rcgroups.com and rcuniverse.com are also pretty good starting places

I'm assuming you're interested in actually flying as well, so it might be worth buying/putting together a trainer before designing your own

also check out AMA - a basic $25 membership will get you some measure of insurance (I think up to 1/2 million if you kill someone) and most local fields require it

Handbook of model Rocketry is a good book for basics
One of the guys on my rocket team lent me his when I wanted a good overview of everything

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471472425/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7q0dAbT602S5E

This is a good first book for an overview on what to use to accomplish many cleaning and maintenance tasks.

https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Maintenance-Essential-Cleaning-Cosmetics/dp/0071357033

Sadly, none that I'm aware of. I only collect a few printed materials and these must be ordered from Japan.


The only thing I can remember was a book made by English fans. However, I didn't ever read up on it so I'm not sure what happened to it. It may be Mecha Modelling Guide (?). Also, more information here (blog) and here (IndieGogo page). But that just sounds like an introductory thing; we are probably a long ways away from something like Japan which revolves around release announcements and featured artists.


Thankfully, any notable announcements from the Japanese magazines are immediately scanned and placed on the net (probably within hours haha). Even the eye-candy gunpla that are featured end up online as well.

It takes longer than 6 hours,
https://www.amazon.com/Building-Six-Hour-Canoe-Richard-Butz/dp/0961039671

It takes longer than a weekend.
https://www.amazon.com/Building-Weekend-Skiff-Richard-Butz/dp/1888671106

They're not free, unless you can get then from the library, but the boat isn't going to be free either. As an intro to boat building it doesn't come much simpler.

the Handbook of Model Rocketry, which would be geared more toward the scale you are looking at building, would also be a great place to start.

This is an awesome book for scratch building rockets:
https://www.amazon.com/Model-Rocket-Design-Construction-Exciting/dp/0890245614/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=Timothy+S.+Van+Milligan&qid=1571886499&s=books&sr=1-3

My suggestion for dioramas: pick up Sheperd Paine's book on the subject. Sheperd Paine is the lord of dioramas, and the book has been a popular resource for a long time. Check out Shep's website as well, and look through the galleries.

Yes, that's much clearer. I also very good reviews of this book.

These forums are worth gold.. Take a look at the other ones too.

I'm a bit short on resources on this topic unfortunately, but I guess you have to make up your own Google requests based on these little starting points. Don't hesitate to ask questions here too.

try the six-hour canoe. It's a stable little vessel, easy to understand the construction, and very little spiling needed to lay it out. Built one when I was 13 for my first boat, and I still have it (31 now)

"Model Aircraft Aerodynamics" by Martin Simons is brilliant.

Amazon link

I'd also recommend [Make: High-Power Rockets](make: High-Power Rockets: Construction and Certification for Thousands of Feet and Beyond https://www.amazon.com/dp/1457182971/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ssmNAbZ38X89S)

I'm using that one as well as the Canepa book as I work on my Level 3 cert project.

This may not be quite what you have in mind, but I have made two of these boats and they are cool. They take more than six hours though.

http://www.amazon.ca/Building-Six-Hour-Canoe-Richard-Butz/dp/0961039671

Yeah, I want to assemble airplanes on Eve after unpacking little boxes. Flat-pack rockets/airplanes, anyone?

http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Model-Rocketry-Edition-Official/dp/0471472425/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1335721652&sr=8-4 Has all the info you need for basic info. As for kits, Amazon has a number of rocketry kits for starting off.

Start here, and try out Kerbal Space Program If you want to go further (as in get a real rocketry-related job) realize that you'll need to specialize in something (structural engineering, fuel chemistry, electronic telecommunications, etc) to get a job.

Check with the National Association of Rocketry http://www.nar.org/ and look for a club near you. Attend a launch, and ask questions.

Pick up a copy of the Handbook of Model Rocketry.
https://smile.amazon.com/Handbook-Model-Rocketry-7th-Official/dp/0471472425/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=handbook+of+model+rocketry&qid=1566343391&s=gateway&sprefix=handbook+of+mo&sr=8-2

Handbook of Model Rocketry

Make: High-Power Rockets: Construction and Certification for Thousands of Feet and Beyond https://www.amazon.com/dp/1457182971/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HwOXBbN91AJZ2

>Will that be enough?

Not far off.