Where to buy supplies?

[bensaunders]

Since I'm fairly new to Stirling, I'm not really aware of all the useful shops out there. Obviously I know Games Workshop and I've recently been on a couple of trips down Springkerse way, but Halfords is a bit of a trek to get spray paint/varnish (and probably not the best place either).

I was wondering whether members could share where they buy various modelling supplies (not the models, but things like paint, varnish, glue, tools, flock, etc) - perhaps even old timers might learn of some new shops and it might be a useful future resource for other newcomers to the area.

(p.s. I hope this is appropriate for the painting and modelling forum - it's about supplies for such activities)

[Asurya]

Call me a chump but I always have (and will continue too) buy all my paints, glue, spray, flock etc etc from my local GW, which in my case is Falkirk.

When it comes to purchases of same materials for the club I generally get them from GW Stirling (and sometimes Falkirk). The reason for this is fairly simple. If I don't support the store, it gets shutdown.

As the chairman of the club I would encourage any member of the club, or indeed, any local hobbyist to support their local store. It's by no means a club rule that you have to shop at GW, but it would be nice if we all showed our support.

One of club members, Callum Stewart is a certified retailer or Privateer Press models, but I'm not sure if that extends to the P3 paint range etc.

We it comes to events like tournaments and the like, the club gets a lot of support from the local Games Workshops and it's nice to support them back in return

[gcflash]

Hello,

Just to quickly pick up on Gus's comment, I can order anything from Privateer Press's range be it models, tools or paints (http://privateerpress.com/formula-p3).

When I am looking for bits and bobs I generally take a trip round the pound shops or The Works, sadly that tends to be it for alternative places to shop in town (to my knowledge) but you can often find some great items. Besides that there are a few motor factors in the Spring Kerse Industrial Estate, but as the name suggests its a fair trek also.

If you are willing to go to Glasow there is Static (part of A1 comics), down the same street is a model shop as well and less well known at the Forge retail park there is a Hobby Craft who stock a line of Woodland Scenics.

You know it just makes me sad we no longer have Model Engineer!

Cheers

Callum

[lordsquinty]

I'm no stranger to buying the odd minis online from other retailers...

But to be honest, thats only since GW put the nail in the coffin of 'proper' games nights and playing specialist games in store and doing away with the bits service.

However - I wouldn't dream of buying the usual suspects (40k / WHFB minis, glue or flock) anywhere else exactly for the reasons Gus states - ignore your local GW and rue the day its gone for good. Because while it may be a pound or two dearer, its there. When its gone you will regret it.

For that extra pound here or there you get :
Helpfull staff, which leads to army building / painting advice.
Gaming tables free of charge.
Free campaigns to play in.
A regular supply of opponents without trying to co-erce the wife (which never works..)
(Honest - My wife once said "Teach me to play Bloodbowl", "REALLY!?" I answered excitedly.... "NO!, I'm not a geek!" was the response... Epic Fail (true story)
Painting / Terrain / modelling leesons / help.
Games Day / Conflict / Warhammer world trips with organised coaches. (doubly beneficial because the club couldnt send the same numbers and numbers mean cheaper / better coaches)

The ability to 'nip in' and grab the model / paint etc that you need for a game in a few days.

Especially for us - do yourself a favour and take a few trips to other GW's.. You will soon realise how much of his own time Donzo puts in to making GW Falkirk what it is for no extra pay or charge to the customer. If you had any idea how often The things that we gamers think are great in that store actually take hours of arguing with head office to approve because they don't get how a great store works, you really would appreciate Donzo's love for the store.

I have only met the new Stirling manager a couple of times, but he seems a good guy with a like mind - make his store as good as he can (within the constraints). So, given time I beleive GW Stirling will be a great store too.

I realise that this isn't a GW bashing post, but I think it's worth while to put in a bit about all the effort that goes in - that may make people feel better when they pay an extra pound (or 2) here and there.

[bensaunders]

Feb 11, 2011 20:23:02 GMT Asurya said:

Call me a chump ...
It's by no means a club rule that you have to shop at GW, but it would be nice if we all showed our support.

I wouldn't judge anyone for their choices. If you want to support your local GW, then that's your prerogative. I feel the same way, though to a lesser extent. Certainly when buying GW products I prefer to support the local shop, even if I can get slightly cheaper online.

I've almost always used GW models (though I was recently tempted away by Mantic) and paints, but I just find a lot of their other hobby tools over-priced and/or poor quality. I've read bad reports about Purity Seal for example (though not used it personally) and they don't even seem to do a genuine Matt varnish any more, so I just thought it would be useful to see what other options were out there.

I've bought things like glue, tweezers, knives, and cheap basecoat brushes from The Works, Poundland, etc and, as I mentioned, some spray varnish and paint from Halfords. I've read very good reports about Testors Dullcote for a matt-finish varnish - anyone know if that available round here (or even in the UK)?

[gaarew]

I get my black primer from Halfords, purely because I prefer the finish.

All my other hobby supplies supplied by GW, I get from Falkirk, unless I happen to be elsewhere, and even then it is usually just a pot or two of paint.

[lordsquinty]

Feb 12, 2011 0:17:42 GMT bensaunders said:

and they don't even seem to do a genuine Matt varnish any more, so I just thought it would be useful to see what other options were out there.

They constantly seem to change theyre varnish.. Not always for the best...

I still have a couple of the old (proper) matt varnish cans - but I keep them for display minis only.

The current batch of matt varnish is actually (from my use) as good as that - I've made sure its room temp before using and ALWAYS sprayed a few tests first to check...

No problems with it so far.

[bensaunders]

I have an old can of GW's Matt varnish at my mum's, which I uncovered at Christmas but didn't bother bringing back to Stirling. I didn't know if it would be any good now it must be 10+ years old but maybe it would be worth testing...

[PaleKing]

Just a quick thumbs up to Squinty's post regarding the effort that Donzo puts into the Falkirk store. That and the support he gives to the club means that I buy my models there and also most of my hobby extras too. GW doesn't sell everything we want for the hobby though and there are one or two other places where you can get nice terrain bits and other extras. When I'm in Glasgow (nr. the Tron/Merchant City end) I check Static Games and Jamieson's Models. These are places where you can get stuff like different coloured spray paints, other paint ranges and sometimes other terrain bits and bobs.

Also, once a year Falkirk has Carronade; a games show/convention. There are lots of retailers there from whom you can pick up a years supply of tufty grass, different flocks, vegetation, brass etching, themed scenery etc etc.

[warsmith]

On a note of plasticard/plastic rods, etc there is a hobby place in Falkirk just 5 mins from GW Falkirk. Can't rememeber it name but it has a good stock.

Like wise D & F? Model shop in Glasgow which is near Static games. Tend to have a ok range of plasticard supply, which I use though out my NQ to HND model making course.
As well as the Miller Art store which has a decent supply of plasticard/platic rods.

While 4d model web site is another area I'd use though out my college year, again brillaint for plasticard supply, along with plastic rods & H beams, etc... if your into conversion.

Other than that like everone else I purely buy my stuff from GW Falkirk for my super glue, etc....

If no one ever use Plasticard I really suggest give it a try.

I've read bad reports about Purity Seal for example

From my experince a lot of people do not know how to spray properly. After doing my NQ to HND model making course I can easily spot problem people have with a spray/varnish or the spray gun. Duffy can vouch for this as I shown him how to use the varnish when he was getting his Blood Angels ready for Rapid Fire.

I have had no such issue with the GW Purity Seal varnish since it was brought out. I find it a lot better, as you might spray on to much & it will not turn gloss like the old matt varnish would do if you spray on a area for to long.
A lot of people tend to just spray it in one go in the one spot, I tend to have the spray going from right to left working up & then down on the models so they can get a even caot of the spray. Also keep the models that arm length.

As said having done a NQ to HND model making course, spraying with both can & spray gun are second nature for me.

But again just down to people not useing it right from my experince, sort of like a young kid starting the hobby will tend to use to much glue thinking it will go together faster, when less actule better & will not damnge the model by melting it or block up detail.

[PaleKing]

Jamie - you are right that some folk end up with too much varnish giving an overly-glossy effect but the problem with GW purity seal is something unrelated I think. I have had a number of cans that have left a white dusty effect on the model. It's a problem that has been debated ad-infinitum and over the years I've tried everything that people suggest but it's still possible to end up with a chalky spray sometimes. I shake religiously, I ensure the varnish is not stored cold, I don't spray outdoors etc and I still occasionally get a white residue. To be fair on GW, this is not something that is exclusive to GW, I've had it from a Humbrol spray once too.

[bensaunders]

Feb 14, 2011 12:48:48 GMT warsmith said:

From my experince a lot of people do not know how to spray properly.

I spent some time researching into spray varnishes online, trying to find what was best. Mixed opinions were quite common - some had no problems with a particular brand, while others did, but there were enough bad opinions about Purity Seal to make me wary.

Technique is undoubtedly part of it, but other factors seem to include variation between batches of the same product (some people reckoned there had been a definite change in Purity Seal) and atmospheric conditions (a particular problem up here).

Still, from the many opinions I read there seemed to be a consensus that Testors and Krylon were some of the best brands - not many critics of either. And I don't see any particular reason to assume that people using those have better technique than those using Purity Seal (in many cases the same person had tried and compared several brands).