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Hi All

I'm trying to find an online supplier who sells various modelling materials for conversion work and scratch building such as Brass rod (thick and thin types), Plastic tubing and plastic rods, and the ribbed flexible metal tubing that you can use for pipes and hose on minitures and tanks.

If anyone has any ideas I'd be most grateful. My nearest hobby supplier only sells miliput, green stuff, and plasticard sheets. So I really need to find these other materials so I can start work on my Shadowsword conversion. From the advice of people here I found some great online suppliers who sold flexible magentic sheets and rare earth magnets. I hoping I'll be able to do the same again for these also.

Thanks

Well I found somewhere in the UK that sells Plastic rod.

Now I just need sources for metal rod, and flexible metal tubing.

Ideas... Thoughts... suggestions?

Thanks

Not something I've bought much of. not being much of a converter but I'd be interested to see what folks come up with as I've one or two building projects coming up.

Try the 4D Model Shop, it can be a bit pricey, but they sell absolutely EVERYTHING.

www.modelshop.co.uk

I've never ordered online from them before, but this is the stuff I've always used for sheets,tubing, or other shapes.  Most model/hobby stores seem to have a large supply of this stuff on hand so i just buy there.

http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/

For superheavy tank gunbarrels or large pipes for terrain I just use plumbing suppliers.  Luckily, I work for a Public utility, so I have access to brass tubing from 1/2" to 2."  Home Depot or some other similar store should have that stuff available though.

Two US sources are Plastruct and Micro-Mark.  Both are brilliant.  Plastruct has more plastic types, colors, shapes and odds and ends than you'll ever need.  If you're in the UK, shipping might be a bit of a hassle, but maybe the favorable exchange rate will balance that out.

Edit: Corrected spelling.

The one stop online shop I use for modelling materials is The Great Models Web Store. They can take a week or two to fill your order, but the prices are great and they have a truly massive selection of stuff. I first used them to find particularly odd-ball tools, parts and kits that my otherwise very, very well stocked local model shop didn't carry and now for everything having moved to an area where no well stocked shop exists.

However, you're in the UK, so I don't rightly know. I imagine if you're in one of the larger metro areas there would be a well stocked model shop that has everything you need. If not, I dunno.

Hi all

Thanks for the replies. I looked at 4D models but they have a minimum postage of £5.60 and the item i need is only £2 for postage is more expensive than the order! Won't be going there unless i need things in large quantities!

The other sites were most helpful, Evergreen is good and the store you linked me to Narly was also really cool. They ship to UK also.

For me its hard to find a decent quality model shop. There was one near me that sold loads of stuff but it closed down last year. In London they just don't seem to get the business, all i have near me is a modelzone and they aren't really a real model shop. Its either them or GW and we all know what GW's hobby supplies are like.

I found that Guitar wire is useful for small metal cabling on the tanks and control panels/ crews bionics. I've also gotten a load of thin plastic coated electrical wire to use. Dug out some plastic rod from an online model shop also, so I think along with these and other various household bits and bobs I'll be okay. Gonna try and use bendy straws as well to get some pipes with corrigated/ ribbed edges.

These components are to convert the interior of a Forgeworld Shadowsword that I just ordered. In the actual model there are lots of areas left plain, like big empty spaces or gaps behind terminals or computer screens. I want to use these materials to bulk out these areas with cabling and electrical wires, and also add a drive shaft and steering column to the drivers console etc. Really make it more realistic and in depth rather than just a few random chairs placed inside and the generators.

I'm also adding various plasticard and plasti rod ladders and hand rails etc. I'm going to model a Krieg Shadowsword using the Centaur Crew. It will include a Techpriest and servitor as well as a man at each station (commander/Driver/Comms Operator/ Main Gunner/Remote Gunner). I'll be using magnets (which arrived from the States this morning yay!) to magnetise the top cover and armour panels.

When i start the project I'm going to post a WIP up here with the concept sketches, stage by stage photos, and finished model. 

All I need now is for the tank to show up in the post...

I can offer a couple. One is my local shop who carry Evergreen and the other is Squires who seem to carry everything except Evergreen - they are as close to a one stop shop for tools and materials as I have ever come across. Just phone and ask for their free catalogue.

http://www.netmerchants.co.uk
http://www.squirestools.com/

B & Q carry some brass and aluminium rod and tubing quite cheaply but the finer rods are almost always bent.