Reddit reviews Tamiya America, Inc Plastic Scriber II, TAM74091

Patience and practice. Scribe the back of plastic spoons for practice, or any other round plastic objects.

But I do recommend using proper modeling scribing tape like this one instead of Dymo tape. Dymo tape works fine for flat surfaces, but this scribing tape is a lot more flexible and will conform to curved surfaces better. They last quite a while depending on how much you scribe. I bought a roll last year and still haven't run out after 3 MG builds I scribed heavily.

Secondly, if you're using this Tamiya scriber, you might want to change it to something like the Tamiya engraver or something similar. They're much easier to control over a tool like the Tamiya scriber and you can change the blades to suit the thickness you want or need for your kit. Mr. Hobby makes a similar tool that's a bit cheaper I think, and obviously there are BMC chisels which are the top of the line. But there are cheap alternatives out there.

Honestly though, when it comes to precision tools like scribers it might be best to go out and buy the highest quality scribers/chisels you can afford. Buying lower quality tools can actually get you bad panel lines.

So this guy was the subject of lots of experimentation.

• This is my first time applying a full topcoat. I used two coats of Krylon clear matte acrylic from a spray can. Turned out pretty smooth, despite me not having a proper setup during application. It smudged up a few of my Gundam Marker panel lines, but nothing serious.
  
  
• I messed around with more metallic candy coating. I reckon my Tamiya Silver Chrome undercoat should've been applied in multiple thinner coats, rather than the single coat I brushed on. My brush strokes are pretty visible. :/
  
  
• Instead of lame foil stickers, I painted all the "lights" with Aurora glow-in-the-dark paint. The paint itself has a grainy, toothpasty texture that made it a bit difficult to apply precisely. Some very careful light sanding in between coats, and a topcoat of clear nail polish, and I think it turned out alright. The brightness of the green glow is pretty impressive in-person.
  
  
• I added a couple extra panel lines on the shield using my newly-acquired Tamiya scribing knife. They're a bit rough, but with some practice, I'm sure I could turn out some wicked panel lines on future builds.
  
  
• The radome snapped off one if the sub-arm's connector tabs, so I had to glue it on there permanently. Luckily, I grabbed the Ez Arms kit, so I have a spare backpack, in case I want to reconfigure it with different weaponry.
  
  Overall, super fun, solid build. I learned a lot working on this one.

Here you go! :) Check this out on AMZN:
http://amzn.com/B002KKBVTC

You can use the back of your razor blade but you'll have to be careful not to go out of the line.

I think most people use something like the following link to scribe lines. The principle is the same regardless of rather it's new lines or bringing out buried ones. This is is essentially just an angled razor. There are also picks that look like what a dentist would use that you can scrape the lines with.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KKBVTC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_nOozwb7DT24F1

It is hardly difficult, it simply takes planning and a careful hand. (do not use a hobby knife!!!) I'm all for doing whatever works for you but a hobby knife would be a no go, it will deform the plastic and not actually remove it. A chisel is the way to go. If you are serious about it, I love BMC chisels.

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/2119/0/1?word=bmc

Otherwise, Samuel decal posted some pictures of alternative chisels recently that are cheaper.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153623678411897.1073741978.382602901896&type=3

and

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153623672411897.1073741977.382602901896&type=3

I have not tried either but they look to be good quality.

The next step down would be a Tamiya scriber for straight lines

http://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-74091-Plastic-Scriber-II/dp/B002KKBVTC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451349163&sr=8-1&keywords=tamiya+scriber

and a Trumpeter scriber for tight corners

http://www.amazon.com/Trumpeter-Panel-Line-Engraver-Tool/dp/B001JJT9DU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451349199&sr=8-1&keywords=trumpeter+scriber

These two are a super cheap way to go, not cheap as in bad but you certainly get what you pay for in control and uniformity.

As far as stencils go, I either make my own from acetate or just draw my design directly on to the model and use Dymo tape as a straight edge.

You can get a scriber to make panel lines. It takes patience and a steady hand, but very doable. People use label tape to help provide solid lines to follow.

Tools like this or this are used for scribing custom panel lines. Just sand the lines after scribing to flatten the raised plastic that resulted from the scribing.

If you check out the Repository of useful links and threads on the sidebar, you'll find almost all the answers to questions you'll have.

EDIT: There's also this Big List of Gunpla Tutorials & Resources with tutorials to everything. It used to be in the repository, I think, but may have been removed. Anyway, good thing I bookmarked it before. Enjoy!

Hey guys! Just found this sub, but I've been wanting to get into this hobby for a while. Planning on going with this one to get my feet wet.

Before I buy it, I'm also planning on getting these markers and these wash's (both from the wiki). Can someone show me to a video tutorial that explains exactly how to use them please? I've got no idea what the wash's are for...

I might also pick up this scriber to try and do some battle damage, but I can't find any tutorials on that? I'd also need some paint...

Is there anything else that I'm missing? I've already got decent angle cutters and an Xacto knife.

Thanks!

U. Just found the tutorials link that covers lining, but I could still use some info on adding battle damage!

I got this guy: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Scriber-II-Tools-Tamiya/dp/B002KKBVTC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398719674&sr=8-1&keywords=tamiya+scriber+ii

I scribed the first couple of pieces today, definitely a skill to be learned! But I'll keep the WIPs coming! :D

I just searched on youtube for guides on eliminating seam lines, not sure who exactly but all the big youtube personalities pretty much have tutorials I believe.

Not sure where your are looking to find them 'too expensive'.

Pin Vise

Tamiya Basic File Set

Tamiya Plastic Scriber II

Those are cheap and or par the course for finding them elsewhere. I don't think going with used tools is a good idea when you can get them new for very reasonable prices on amazon.