Wooden Kit Tips.pdf

1. Start building: Take the kit out of packaging and begin construction to avoid collecting unbuilt kits.
2. New blade: Use a new hobby knife blade, such as #11 blades from Hobbico or X-acto, for each project.
3. Read instructions: Study plans, instructions, and laser cut sheets to identify pieces and determine colors.
4. Paint and stain: Use thinned paint or stain with a rag to apply a scale amount of color, and avoid full-strength paint with a brush.
5. Tweezers: Use tweezers for small pieces and applying glue to prevent squeeze-out and keep glue off fingers.
6. Glue: Use carpenter's yellow glue or extra thick CA glue, and clean the glue pen tip regularly to prevent clogging.
7. Gluing window glass: Test CA glue on a small piece of clear plastic to ensure it won't craze or fog the material, and handle window material with tweezers.

Additional tips:

Sand edges of wood to remove laser burn marks.
Stain or paint both sides of wood to prevent warping.
Use a staining tray for stripwood to prevent mess and warping.
Apply glue to small pieces using a plastic drop method for more control.
* Avoid mixing materials with different expansion rates to prevent warping or adhesive failure.