Editing Guide to Assembling Models (section)

== Assembly ==
=== Instructions ===
Follow them. It's possible (even likely) that your model has parts that will not fit if they aren't applied before other parts.

=== Pinning ===
If your model is metal and has large parts, you'll want a stronger bond than mere glue. '''Pinning''' a join requires drilling two holes, one in each of the opposing faces of the join, and inserting a metal rod (such as a length of paperclip) into both holes to bridge the two parts. This rod, called a '''pin''' reinforces the join. Inserting a small amount of superglue into both holes is encouraged, to secure the pin. It will support the weight of any parts that might scoff at mere glue and think about breaking apart the rest of the finished model.

Pins can also be useful for making tiny or fragile plastic parts much more durable, a common issue with dynamically-posed [[GW]] showpiece models. If one carefully drills a hole through a frail plastic element (such as the ankle of an outstretched leg), inserts a pin slightly too short to fill the hole, and smooths over the hole opening with green stuff, a part which is liable to break in the future may become the strongest point on your model.

=== Gluing ===
Unless your model is snap-fit or push-fit (and even then, it's probably a good idea), you're probably going to need some sort of adhesive to stick the parts together. Regular old white school glue won't cut it here, so you'll need something beefier. There are glues engineered for adhering plastic, metal, and resin, so you'll need one that works for your kit. Remember to consider both of the materials you are gluing together, when choosing a glue to use.

You may need multiple variants of the same type of glue, over the course of your modeling career. Some glues are more viscous than others. Runny glues are useful for flowing into cracks and joining smooth surfaces. Thicker "gel" glues are useful for joining parts when you need the glue to disobey gravity for a few moments before you press the parts together.

=== Different Materials ===
Some models have parts made of different materials, typically these are plastic, metal, and resin. Most glues only work well with one material, so you'll need a multi-purpose glue for joining different materials. Generic "super glue" is good for fixing metal or resin parts to most any other parts. Plastic glue is only good for affixing (some kinds of) plastic parts to other plastic parts.

Pinning is also recommended, especially for larger parts; as a bond between two different materials with multi-purpose glue tends to be more fragile than same material joined with a material-specific glue.