Happy Holidays plamo nerds! I hope you've all recovered from your Christmas party hangovers and are geared up for the incoming year! 2017 has been one heck of a ride for me, both as a family man and a mecha modeler. Wave after wave of blessings came my way throughout the year, culminating into a full sized tsunami of good fortune in December. I don't even know if I deserve all this, but I am truly grateful for everything. Today I'll be looking back at my accomplishments for the year, and hopefully all the good vibes can give me a running start as we head into 2018!
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Thursday, December 28, 2017
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Pilgrimage
Minasan ohayo gozaimasu! I'm back from my pilgrimage to the otaku promised land! Like many 80s kids from the Philippines, I grew up playing Nintendo and Sega games, and watching Anime and Super Sentai shows. I spent the afternoons running around pretending I was Shaider, or Masked Rider Black, or one of several Ultraman variants, or just trying to go Super Saiyan. Visiting Japan has been on my bucket list way before I got into Gunpla - so you can only imagine how excited I was to finally set foot in the country where it all began. Join me as I engage my rarely activated travel blogging mode and reminisce on one of the most memorable vacations ever!
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(warning: pic heavy)
(warning: pic heavy)
Monday, December 4, 2017
Sparmax Max 3 - Review
Hey plamo nerds! The generous folks over at Sparmax decided to send me one of their fine products - the Max 3 airbrush kit - so I could give it a once-over and see how it fares compared to the other airbrushes I've reviewed thus far. I've heard great things about this airbrush, and I'm excited to see how it performs. Let's take a look!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, November 20, 2017
DIY Spraybooth 3.0
Hey plamo nerds! I had a bit of free time over the weekend, and since I've got nothing on the workbench at the moment I decided to do some cleaning. I filled up a large trash bag with random junk, freeing up some extra space in my cabinet, which I immediately had to fill with something else because that's how my hyperactive brain works. A quick scan of my hobby equipment and my attention was drawn to the compact spraybooth. Why was I working with such a small booth when I had all this extra space anyway? It was time for an upgrade!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Manwah Leaf Puncher - Review
Hey plamo nerds! Here's a quick review on one of the new tools available in the shop - the Manwah leaf puncher! The punchers come in 4 designs: Birch, Oak, Maple and Cherry, and are used to make tiny leaves for scale model dioramas. Jump in if you want to know more about how they work!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post:
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post:
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Kitsune - Build Diary
Greetings and salutations plamo nerds! GBWC Philippines 2017 is in the books, and it was one heck of a build-off! A ton of excellent work deployed to the battlefield this year, with last year's open category champion defending his title and taking the gold once again - a well deserved win for a monster of an entry! I didn't feel like my aging smartphone and photography skills would do justice to the winning entries, so here's a link to Gundam Philippines' page instead, I'm sure the official photos will be out soon. >> Gundam Philippines <<<
The Legend of Kitsune didn't make it into the top 3, but finished 5th place and was awarded a nice little consolation prize. This is the first time I participated in the GBWC, and I think I did quite well considering the level of competition this year. Now that she's back home, I get to do a proper photo shoot before she gets assigned to a permanent spot on my display shelf. Jump in if you want to learn more about the build, but be prepared for walls of text and a $h!tload of images!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post....
The Legend of Kitsune didn't make it into the top 3, but finished 5th place and was awarded a nice little consolation prize. This is the first time I participated in the GBWC, and I think I did quite well considering the level of competition this year. Now that she's back home, I get to do a proper photo shoot before she gets assigned to a permanent spot on my display shelf. Jump in if you want to learn more about the build, but be prepared for walls of text and a $h!tload of images!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post....
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Diamond Grinding Plate - Review
What?! another review?! That's right folks! If you haven't figured it out, I got a bunch of stuff to test with my last shipment and am going through them one by one. Not everything turned out great, but the ones that look promising get shared here for all you plamo nerds to see. Today we'll be looking at another abrasive tool that I'm sure scratch builders and modders will love - Diamond grinding plates!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Diamond Micro Files - Review
Hey there plamo nerds, as promised, here's another tool review! I've been searching forever for the slimmest files, for getting at mold lines and flash in the tightest places like vents, slots, and in between fingers - and I finally found these diamond micro files! Let's take a look!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, October 9, 2017
Artisan Club Tool Assistant - Review
Hey plamo nerds! My apologies for the lack of updates on the blog - I've been cramming to finish my GBWC entry for the past few weeks, but now that the Kitsune has been deployed, we're back to regular programming! Today we'll be taking a look at one of the swankiest tool racks ever designed for the plastic model enthusiast: the Artisans Club Tool Assistant!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Friday, October 6, 2017
The Legend of Kitsune
"Grandma said the fox god would protect us..."
muttered the child as she stared blankly, clutching a ragged, fox-like doll against her chest. Tears had left streaks of clear skin under her eyes, contrasting with the rest of her face which was covered in ash. The only survivor of another savage raid, the girl had been watching her village burn to the ground. Blood had caked down her leg from a gash in her thigh.
Her expression changed to that of anger as she flung the doll at the dying flames.
"The fox god is not real! If she was, then everyone wouldn't be..."
The girl fell to her knees, overcome by sorrow.
"Mama!.. Papa!...Grandma!..." she cried out, but only the rustling of the leaves and the crackling of the embers replied.
Saizo stood behind her, clenching his fists. He had heard that Yuron's men were on the move and tried to intervene, but he was too late. As he surveyed the area he found the familiar giant footprints of demons - huge mechanical beasts driven by those with spinal implants known as Alaya Vijnana.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of the story!
Monday, September 4, 2017
OEM Angle Cutter - Review
Good day plamo nerds! It's been an eventful couple of weeks, making some slow but steady progress on my current WIP, and the unforgettable experience of judging at a build-off for the first time. The recently concluded GM Wars event hosted by South Plamo was a smashing success, bringing together new and veteran modelers for a fun afternoon of mecha mayhem. I had a notable headache after inspecting and appraising 30 excellent entries. The level of work made it all the more difficult to put a number on craftsmanship, especially since I am in no way or form an expert in this craft. But as judges we did our best, and I am pleased with the outcome. Now let's get back to our regular programming! Today I'll be sharing a very quick review of the OEM Angle Cutter I recently acquired to help with my scratch-building projects.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Moshen Michelangelo Airbrush - Review
Hey there plamo nerds! I finally received my sample of the Moshen Michelangelo airbrush! I previewed this thing on the facebook page a few weeks back and it generated some excitement in the community because of the new nozzle design implemented in this airbrush. Today we get to have a closer look at the Michelangelo. Let's see what it has to offer!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Thinnerline Circle Cutter - Review
Hey there plamo nerds! Today I'm sharing a quick review of the highly sought-after Thinnerline Circle Cutter! It's a clever tool designed to cut perfect little circles in thin material such as masking tape and thin plastic sheet - a task next to impossible to do without the aid of a special tool such as this.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Mecha Musume - Becky Law
Hey there plamo nerds! I've been publishing one review after another, and it's almost as if this place is turning into a proper blog. We can't have that can we? Time to break up the seriousness with a long-overdue Mecha Musume interview! Today we have a very special guest from Malaysia who started mangling plastic robots long before many of us (myself included) got into the hobby.
A renowned modeler and extremely versatile artist that dabbles in almost every plastic and resin genre there is - ladies and gents allow me to introduce to you all, the talented Becky Law - a.k.a. Becky Customizer!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
A renowned modeler and extremely versatile artist that dabbles in almost every plastic and resin genre there is - ladies and gents allow me to introduce to you all, the talented Becky Law - a.k.a. Becky Customizer!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
It's about TIME!
Hey there plamo nerds! I've been on some sort of tool spree these past couple months. There were a few kit purchases in between too, but I've mainly been focusing on upgrading my arsenal of hobby equipment - and I guess some of you might be wondering if I'm trying to steer the blog in a different direction - away from it's budget oriented origins towards expensive gear territory. On the surface it may seem that way, but I assure you, I'm still being as frugal as ever. The truth is, behind every tool upgrade was a tool or kit sale. I've been selling off my backlog and old stuff to help fund these new acquisitions, and I'll explain why...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Harder and Steenbeck Infinity CR Plus 2-in-1 - Unboxing
Greetings and salutations fellow plamo nerds! You might have noticed from my past few posts that I've been acquiring some of the most well regarded airbrushes out there for model painting. I started off with the affordable but well-reviewed Master G233, followed by the bad-ass Badger Krome, the versatile Patriot, and most recently the invincible Iwata Eclipse. I've been on a personal quest to find the perfect airbrush for this hobby, and today I'll be sharing my newest acquisition - a tool that many consider to be the holy grail of airbrushing equipment: the Harder and Steenbeck Infinity CR Plus!
Click on the Read More link for a heavy dose of tool porn...
(WARNING: lots of images)
Click on the Read More link for a heavy dose of tool porn...
(WARNING: lots of images)
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Kimaris - Knight of Gjallarhorn
Hey plamo nerds! Welcome back from the long weekend! GMKC 2017 wrapped up last Sunday, and although I didn't get any awards, I was glad to have participated. It was my first time joining a major sanctioned event, and while the outcome did not match my expectations, I gained valuable experience. I was hoping more recognition would be given to color separation, shading, seam fixing and weathering, but just like many events before it, high gloss still reigns supreme in GMKC 2017. In any case, I applaud the emerging winners for their flawless execution. Now that the Kimaris is back home, I'm just happy to add another model to my display cabinet.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
(WARNING: PIC HEAVY)
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
(WARNING: PIC HEAVY)
Friday, June 23, 2017
Border Model Masking Template - Review
What's up plamo nerds! Here's another tool review to round off the week: a nice and shiny masking template! For the uninitiated, a masking template allows for easy cutting of masking tape into patterns typically used in plamo painting. Digital and Hex camouflage patterns are popular among armor and mecha modelers, and a template such as this one from Border Model simplifies the process a great deal.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Manwah Scribing Tempate - Review
Hey plamo nerds! Apologies for the lack of updates, I've been busy filling orders, and of course there's the GMKC that kicked off last Saturday and concludes this coming Sunday, June 25th. While we anxiously wait for the results, let's take a look at another tool that is essential to custom builders who enjoy more detail on their kits - the Manwah Scribing Template!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Iwata Eclipse HP-CS - Review
Ohayou gozaimasu plamo otakus! I've been getting really lucky these past couple of weeks...landing one good deal after another on top notch tools - and today I get to share with you one of my latest finds - a genuine Iwata airbrush! It's a pre-loved item and is missing the box so there won't be an unboxing in this post, but it's in super mint condition. Why get another airbrush? I asked myself the same question before I hit the buy button on this one - but a quick consultation with some esteemed modeler friends yielded a unanimous decision - you don't pass up on an Iwata! Jump in if you want to see what this airbrush has to offer, and there's a video at the bottom showing how it performs.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Featured Seller - Pub Hub
Hey plamo nerds! Let's kick off June with another featured shop, this time hailing from Bacolod - city of smiles and delicious roast chicken! PUBHUB Hobbies and Collectibles is one of the best stocked hobby shops in the country, carrying highly sought after kits, tools and supplies. Don't let the simple store front fool you, this place is an absolute gold mine! Jump in to see what they have to offer!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, May 29, 2017
Badger 105 Patriot - Review
Hello once again plamo nerds! It's a fine day for a review, and today I'll be sharing my thoughts on the Badger 105 Patriot airbrush! It's a pretty old product from Badger, and there are tons of reviews on it already on YouTube, but I thought I'd throw in my two centavos on this seasoned veteran anyway. At the very least I can give you guys some insight on how it compares with Chinese generic airbrushes and it's younger but more expensive cousin, the Renegade Krome. Let's go!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Friday, May 26, 2017
Madworks Sanding Sponges - Review
Good day plamo nerds! I've been furiously working on the 1/100 Kimaris Trooper for the past couple of days, hoping I could submit it as an entry to the upcoming GMKC event. To be honest, I couldn't have picked a worse kit - seam lines everywhere, mold lines everywhere else, topped off by some parts being "overgated" for no logical explanation other than Bandai likes to troll us builders from time to time.
I picked up a pack of these excellent sanding sponges by Madworks from Zee Hobby Shop to help deal with these issues. Hop in if you want to see how these things are used and what advantage they have over plain old sandpaper. I didn't bother with a video as I highly doubt any of you would enjoy watching me vigorously rubbing a long purpleish shaft with a hobby abrasive...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
I picked up a pack of these excellent sanding sponges by Madworks from Zee Hobby Shop to help deal with these issues. Hop in if you want to see how these things are used and what advantage they have over plain old sandpaper. I didn't bother with a video as I highly doubt any of you would enjoy watching me vigorously rubbing a long purpleish shaft with a hobby abrasive...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Super Nova MG Altron - Unboxing
The postal service in this country is dismal. It only takes about a week for an item to arrive from China, but then it takes 2-3 weeks for your stuff to clear customs and another 2-3 weeks to reach your local post office. Anyhow, after a long wait, I finally received my Super Nova Altron! Jump in if you'd like to see a quick unboxing of this unique kit from a brand new brand!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, May 15, 2017
Talyer Talk #3 - Char's Airbrush Case
The local plamo community needs reading material. A magazine the likes of Hobby Japan or Dengeki Hobby, but in English would be really nice...something to flip through while waiting for your lady in the salon or when sitting on the porcelain throne. I'm glad some of the top notch modelers have started authoring and printing their own guide books, but there's a void to fill when it comes to plamo related editorial and light reading, which is one of the reasons I maintain this blog. After a barrage of tool reviews, I think a Talyer Talk feature is well overdue. Luckily I stumbled upon a very nice side project by accomplished modeler Polo Bormate on my facebook feed, and he was kind enough to share this custom made airbrush case!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post....
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post....
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Badger Renegade Krome Airbrush - Review
How goes it my fellow plamo nerds? I've been spending some quality time with my new airbrush, the Badger Renegade Krome - and after putting it through the gunpla gauntlet, it has emerged unscathed and ready for more! I've always been a skeptic when it comes to name brand stuff that have cheaper alternatives - but this excellent tool has set me straight. I already did the unboxing a few weeks back, so you can take a look at that if you want to see the kit contents and whatnot. Today I'll be sharing my thoughts on how the airbrush performs in plamo painting scenarios, and there's a video at the bottom showing it in action!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
AHS Model Chisels - Review
Welcome back plamo nerds! I apologize if my recent tool revelations have been keeping you up since Monday - but I'm afraid you won't be getting any sleep tonight just yet. A wise man once said, "seek and ye shall find". I think it was Bruce Lee, but it may have been Jesus...it's a toss up. So I seeked (sook? sought? sought! gahtdemenglishlanguage!) and a few weeks ago I found exactly what I was looking for. Today I am proud to present the fruit of my fearless foray into the cryptic Chinese plamo market - the AHS Model Chisel!
Now you already know how cheap I am, and how I enjoy exhausting all imaginable DIY solutions before actually spending cash on tools. A while back I posted a DIY guide on how the lowly thrift store screwdriver set could be re-purposed as chisels. The results they produced were okay, but the poorman's chisels were nowhere near as sharp or as sturdy as I needed them to be, and so the search for a budget alternative to the exorbitantly expensive BMC chisel continued...until now!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Now you already know how cheap I am, and how I enjoy exhausting all imaginable DIY solutions before actually spending cash on tools. A while back I posted a DIY guide on how the lowly thrift store screwdriver set could be re-purposed as chisels. The results they produced were okay, but the poorman's chisels were nowhere near as sharp or as sturdy as I needed them to be, and so the search for a budget alternative to the exorbitantly expensive BMC chisel continued...until now!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Alexen Model Angle Scraper - Review
Hey plamo nerds! Did you enjoy the hobby file review I shared yesterday? There's more where that came from! Here's the second tool in my China sourced plamo lootbag - the elusive Alexen Model angle scraper! I saw this item for sale a long time ago in one of the plamo market groups I frequented, but it disappeared without a trace before I could even figure out what it was. As it turns out, it's a highly specialized beveling tool! I shared a guide on how to do freehand beveling (aka "chamfering") using a hobby knife a while back, but this tool takes the guesswork out of the task!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, April 24, 2017
Xiang Model Files - Review
Hello there my properly perplexed plamo peeps! Never heard of Xiang Model? Me neither! So don't waste your time googling, you won't find anything, believe me I've tried. Instead, here's a quick background on what this is all about...
I was priming the DA Providence a while back, admiring the nice details on the armor, when I had an epiphany: All these new high-detail, yet relatively affordable kits come from China. The local hobby scene must be booming over there, so there must be a demand for similarly affordable quality tools. Since the Chinese way of doing things is to manufacture stuff themselves to keep costs down, such tools must exist! But if they did exist, why haven't we seen or heard about them before? I'll tell you why - because they're only sold in the Chinese domestic market, and everything is written in Chinese!
Driven by a wild theory and armed with nothing but Google Translate to aid me in my quest, I set forth to find these mythical tools. I spent hours deciphering cryptic Chinese shopping websites, finding myself in one dead end after another until I was close to giving up - but I finally found them - and what I discovered could open up some great possibilities for the local hobby community. Of course, finding them would be the easy part - I still had to confirm that these tools were real myself before peddling them to you, my beloved readers. So what does your friendly neighborhood otaku do? Take a risk, put some hard earned cash on the line, and place an order - ignoring all warning signs that this was a bad idea. Well it turned out to be a damn good idea after all, as about three weeks later a small package arrived, the awesome contents of which I will be showing you in the next couple of posts. Let's kick things of with these nice Xiang Model files!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
I was priming the DA Providence a while back, admiring the nice details on the armor, when I had an epiphany: All these new high-detail, yet relatively affordable kits come from China. The local hobby scene must be booming over there, so there must be a demand for similarly affordable quality tools. Since the Chinese way of doing things is to manufacture stuff themselves to keep costs down, such tools must exist! But if they did exist, why haven't we seen or heard about them before? I'll tell you why - because they're only sold in the Chinese domestic market, and everything is written in Chinese!
Driven by a wild theory and armed with nothing but Google Translate to aid me in my quest, I set forth to find these mythical tools. I spent hours deciphering cryptic Chinese shopping websites, finding myself in one dead end after another until I was close to giving up - but I finally found them - and what I discovered could open up some great possibilities for the local hobby community. Of course, finding them would be the easy part - I still had to confirm that these tools were real myself before peddling them to you, my beloved readers. So what does your friendly neighborhood otaku do? Take a risk, put some hard earned cash on the line, and place an order - ignoring all warning signs that this was a bad idea. Well it turned out to be a damn good idea after all, as about three weeks later a small package arrived, the awesome contents of which I will be showing you in the next couple of posts. Let's kick things of with these nice Xiang Model files!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
DIY Airbrush Holder
Hello my fellow nerds! I recently came into possession of one badass airbrush - a Badger Renegade Krome. It's a very unique design and has some nice features built in, but I couldn't stop worrying about the exposed tip. I ended up getting an airbrush holder with a soft rubber interior and matching chrome finish. At first I thought this would abate the symptoms of my airbrush OCD, but while it certainly looked cool, I couldn't see the tip while the brush was in the holder. I kept thinking I might have shoved it in too roughly and damaged the delicate needle. What I needed was a holder that was secure, kept the tip visible, and made it easy to put the brush in and take out without catching the delicate front end. I searched the net for other airbrush holder designs, and found the solution on my facebook feed. A fellow hobbyist shared his home made airbrush holder, and it was exactly the inspiration I was looking for!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, April 17, 2017
Devil Arts Providence OOTB - WIP 1
Happy Easter plamo nerds! I'm sure most of you spent the long weekend in far off places, basking in the sun and getting some much needed RnR. Me? I chose to stay home so I could put the Renegade Krome through it's paces. I had just received my copy of Modulation for Mecha by ace modeler Oishi, and after flipping through it, I decided the Devil Arts Providence would be the perfect candidate for my first attempt at modulation.
The DA Providence already comes well detailed out of the box, and aside from a few seams on the backpack and the weapon that needed fixing, it was the only kit in my backlog that would take minimal paint prep. I've only done a few out-of-the-box builds, so this should be a great learning experience. Not only will I get to try a new painting technique, but I also get to gain experience with the Krome. Jump in if you'd like to see my progress over the extended weekend!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
The DA Providence already comes well detailed out of the box, and aside from a few seams on the backpack and the weapon that needed fixing, it was the only kit in my backlog that would take minimal paint prep. I've only done a few out-of-the-box builds, so this should be a great learning experience. Not only will I get to try a new painting technique, but I also get to gain experience with the Krome. Jump in if you'd like to see my progress over the extended weekend!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Badger Renegade Krome Airbrush - Unboxing
I bought my first airbrush set way back in 2012 - the Tamiya Sprayworks Basic kit. It was a single-action, trigger type airbrush that came with a compressor. While it was a great introduction to airbrushing, the plastic construction of the components meant it would not last very long - particularly in the hands of a noob, which was unfortunate because it seemed it was deliberately aimed at newbies. Long story short, the compressor kicked the bucket much sooner than I thought it would, which is not what I expected from a Tamiya product - and it kind of left a bad impression on me. I had a better experience with budget Chinese airbrushes, which for the price did a pretty decent job, were easier to maintain, and parts, while not very durable, were inexpensive and easy to source.
Fast forward 5 years, I've gained enough experience to know what I wanted in an airbrush, and I was in the market for a high quality, branded kit. Naturally the Tamiya HG line was in my list of stuff to consider. The HG III in particular has some rave reviews, and I figured it was time I gave Tamiya a 2nd chance. I was about to pull the trigger (is it too early for puns?), when I happened upon a local ad for a Badger Renegade Krome. I looked it up online and found a ton of good reviews on the kit. A week later I found myself in possession of a brand new Badger airbrush, and I have zero regrets. Jump in if you'd like to see the unboxing, and there's a little video at the bottom too.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Friday, April 7, 2017
Featured Seller - Gundam and Hobby Shop
Greetings and salutations plamo nerds, I hope your summer is going well! If like me you prefer to stay indoors just building plastic models rather than voluntarily roasting yourself under the sun, risking skin cancer, which could spread to your vital organs and lead to death (well that escalated quickly!), you'd better stock up on kits! In this day and age you can order all the kits and tools you need from the comfort of your couch, toilet, or whatever it is you're sitting on right now. Here's another store feature to satisfy your plastic cravings. Allow me to introduce you to Gundam and Hobby Shop - a trusted seller of all things Gundam!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Meijin Modeler - Mr. Dash
What's up plamo people! The blog has been churning out nothing but fire for the past couple of weeks, and thanks to you lovely nerds we just broke 300K visitors! Two posts a week is quickly becoming the norm, and it's about time we threw a Meijin Modeler feature into the mix. Today's featured modeler is a master of customization. This guy bends plastic to his will like Aang bends air, and he's about to reveal his techniques to the world by way of a full-color mecha customization book! Ladies and gents, please welcome the one and only Mr. Dash!
Click on the read more link for the rest of this post, and look for the discount code towards the end!
Click on the read more link for the rest of this post, and look for the discount code towards the end!
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Hobbiworkz Desk Lamp - Review
Hey there plamo people! I just realized we're already half-way through the week and I haven't shared anything yet... "Bad Otaku!..Bad!" Here's a simple review on the newest addition to my workbench, a proper desk lamp. I finally got my hands on a Hobbiworkz clamp lamp, and I must say it's exactly what my work area needed!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Friday, March 24, 2017
3M 7500 Half Mask - Review
After the success of the Boros project, I found lacquers to be much more agreeable than the acrylics I've been using. I'm not saying they're better in general, just that they seem to be easier to work with. The only problem is that they're much more toxic than water based acrylics, which is why I decided to upgrade my spray booth and painting mask. I've been using a very basic mask, and I felt like it wasn't up to scratch anymore as I could still smell the fumes while airbrushing lacquers. Luckily I found a good deal on a 3M 7502 half mask. Here are my initial thoughts on it, and there's a video review at the bottom as well.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, March 20, 2017
Talyer Talk #2 - Workbench Update
Greetings and salutations plamo connoisseurs! Welcome to the 2nd iteration of Talyer Talk! If you missed the first run and have no idea what this series is about, here's the link: Talyer Talk
I've been making some great progress on the cabinet / workbench, but I had a massive brainfart and forgot to take wiring into consideration when I had the damn thing built. I had no choice but to make modifications to the existing structure. At least the shelving was removable, otherwise it would have been a real pain. Jump in if you'd like to check out my mediocre wire-wrangling efforts, and if you're in the market for the perfect plamo toolbox, I found a couple that are hard to beat!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
"Plamo Like A Sir" |
I've been making some great progress on the cabinet / workbench, but I had a massive brainfart and forgot to take wiring into consideration when I had the damn thing built. I had no choice but to make modifications to the existing structure. At least the shelving was removable, otherwise it would have been a real pain. Jump in if you'd like to check out my mediocre wire-wrangling efforts, and if you're in the market for the perfect plamo toolbox, I found a couple that are hard to beat!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Thursday, March 16, 2017
iPliers Hobby Nippers - Review
Hey there plamo weeabs! So I finally own a pair of proper hobby nippers....I admit it - since I got into this hobby way back in 2012, I've been getting by with regular electronics store side-cutters. I ought to be stripped nude and forced to walk to a nearby hobby shop, as throngs of you angry plamo nerds shout "shame! shame! shame!" and pelt me with sprue debris. To be honest I don't really know why I waited this long to buy one, but there's no point in crying over spilled paint. These "iPliers" popped up on my facebook feed, claiming they were similar in design to those Godhand nippers I've heard so much about, and I just had to find out for myself. There's a video at the bottom showing how they work.
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Monday, March 13, 2017
DIY Compact Spraybooth
Hey plamo nerds! It's a bright and sunny Monday here at my coordinates, and I thought it would be nice to kick off the week with a show and tell to get those creative juices flowing. I recently updated my spraybooth design, borrowing a few elements from popular spraybooth models to make it more user-friendly and practical by adapting some recycled stuff for materials. There's a video at the bottom if you can spare the kilobytes.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Friday, March 10, 2017
Devil Arts MG Providence - Review
Hey boys and girls, I just finished snapping together the DevilArts Providence and I must say I'm really really impressed! Not a single fitment issue throughout the build, which is saying a lot for a non-Bandai product. In fact this model hit the market ahead of Bandai's Providence, so the runners aren't straight recasts from the Bandai kit. I believe the design team behind this kit actually engineered it almost from the ground up, and they did one hell of a job! The devil - as the old adage goes - is in the details, and I'm inclined to think that's how they came up with the brand name. Jump in to see the full review, and you'll also find a YouTube video at the bottom.
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Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Featured Seller - Hobby Cafe Davao
Hello again my precious plamo addicts! I hope your fingers are sore from all the WIPs you've been working on! I've got some interesting reviews coming up on the blog soon, but before that, I'd like to share another store feature, because really, more stores means more options to choose from and translates to kit and tool availability for everyone, right? This particular store hails from the deep south, and is one that is well trusted by our Visayas and Mindanao based brothers in arms. If you think the best kits and hobby supplies are only accessible to those within a stone's throw from NCR, you're dead wrong. Our southern brethren are just as well equipped and are able to put forward some spectacular work, thanks to shops like Hobby Café Davao!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, March 6, 2017
Desk Mounted Regulator Setup
What's up plamo nerds! Still recuperating from your weekend adventures I take it? I've been really productive myself. I'm about 80% through snapping up the Providence, and I made major headway on the workbench project. I'll be sharing everything in upcoming posts, but for now I'd like to focus on one particular element, which I've been keen on setting up since I moved into my new work area: A desk mounted regulator. Having the regulator and water trap assembly separate from the compressor has some nice advantages. Compressors are noisy - especially if you use one of those huge industrial types, but even the hobby grade mini compressors still make noise. I use a CMP-20T myself, and while it's pretty quiet it can still be heard from the next room - which in my case is the bedroom - and I'd rather not wake up my wife and son during a late night painting session. This setup allows me to keep the compressor in a sound-proofed compartment while still allowing easy air pressure adjustment. Here's a quick rundown of how to put it together.
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Friday, March 3, 2017
Featured Seller - Zee Hobby Shop
What's happening plamo nerds! February went by super fast, but I somehow managed to squeeze in 7 posts! Not a record high for the blog, but still pretty damn impressive considering the month was 3 days short. Well I've got a whole lot more lined up for March, and at the top of my list is a great new store feature. Allow me to introduce you all to Zee Hobby Shop - one of the fastest growing hobby supply stores in the country!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Devil Arts MG Providence - Unboxing
Hey gundam meisters! There's been too much negativity circulating in the various facebook groups I've been following lately, mostly due to some guys doing something spectacularly stupid at the ongoing Expo, but I won't expound on that anymore and would rather let the issue die. Can we all just stay positive and focus on enjoying the hobby? Because really, every minute you waste arguing or complaining is a minute not spent building plamo and improving your skills. To cheer you up, here's an unboxing of the Devil Arts 1/100 Providence ver. Sun - a rather recent release from a new name. I've got high expectations for this kit since I saw the preview images a while back. A youTube video is at the bottom for those who prefer it.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, February 27, 2017
Gunpla Expo Philippines 2017
Good day plamo nerds! It's been an action packed month on the blog indeed, and with a new post coming out every week you'd think this was a full time job. Should I take a break then? Nope. Otaku on a budget has no chill! Besides, there's this thing called the Gunpla Expo, and it's in town for the first time ever. What self-respecting plamo blogger would sit this one out?! I happily dragged my wife and son against their will to Mall of Asia on Day 1. Jump in if you'd like to know my impression of the event, and for some poorly taken photos of the stuff on display...
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Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Master G233 Airbrush - Review
A pleasant day to you all my lovely plamo nerds! After almost a year of using the Master G233 airbrush, I think it's about time I did a review. It's not a new model by any means, but I think it deserves some attention, even with all the other generic Chinese airbrushes flying around. This was the airbrush I used on the Boros, and if anything it at least made the daunting task of painting the model a little less stressful by never giving me any problems, which - as far as cheap airbrushes go - is saying a lot. There's a video at the bottom of the post if your millennial instincts tell you anything less than an animated GIF is boring.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Monday, February 13, 2017
Hobbiworkz Airbrush Cleaning Pot - Unboxing / Review
Greetings and salutations plamo weeabs! Here's a quick unboxing and review of the Hobbiworkz Airbrush Cleaning Pot. There's a video review at the bottom of this post so you can skip down to that if you prefer listening to my sexy bedroom voice, but for the KB conscious, I took a bunch of pics as well.
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
Friday, February 10, 2017
Mecha Musume - Ezia Tori
Happy hearts month plamo weeabs! I'm sure many of you are taking a break from your WIPs and have been cutting back on plamo expenses in preparation for Valentines day. Despite being the brutish and barbaric men of macho manliness that we are, I know for a fact that we all cave for our special someone on the 14th - and anyone in a relationship who claims otherwise is a big fat liar.
But for the members of the lonely hearts club, don't drown your sorrows in paint thinner just yet, because this feature post just might cheer you up!
If I asked you to imagine a girl's room, the first thing that comes to mind is pink, right? A dresser littered with beauty products, bottles of nail polish, and an assortment of makeup equipment. Shelves would be stacked with either stuffed animals, a collection of barbie dolls, or Nicholas Sparks books, depending on her age.
Although our guest for today does have a penchant for pink things, take a closer look at her room and you will quickly realize that there's something unique about this girl. In place of nail polish, model grade paints adorn her desk. Instead of fuzzy bears and mushy novels, an army of mecha stands guard on her shelves. Ladies and gents, please welcome our featured Mecha Musume for today - the founder of Gunpla Girls herself - miss Ezia Tori!
But for the members of the lonely hearts club, don't drown your sorrows in paint thinner just yet, because this feature post just might cheer you up!
If I asked you to imagine a girl's room, the first thing that comes to mind is pink, right? A dresser littered with beauty products, bottles of nail polish, and an assortment of makeup equipment. Shelves would be stacked with either stuffed animals, a collection of barbie dolls, or Nicholas Sparks books, depending on her age.
Although our guest for today does have a penchant for pink things, take a closer look at her room and you will quickly realize that there's something unique about this girl. In place of nail polish, model grade paints adorn her desk. Instead of fuzzy bears and mushy novels, an army of mecha stands guard on her shelves. Ladies and gents, please welcome our featured Mecha Musume for today - the founder of Gunpla Girls herself - miss Ezia Tori!
Click on the Read More link for the rest of this post...
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