Indeed, I do this everytime, but I'll advertise my tutorials - they're not specific for max, but is general, as you say you're good else where in Max I'm sure you'll know how to do each part without specifics to which button in max does what.
These two 'basics' tutorials I made should prepare you for what tools you need.
http://seppuku-arts.koetsuaboshi.net/?q=node/16
http://seppuku-arts.koetsuaboshi.net/?q=node/8
Other relevant tutorials I have made
http://www.ozarkgames.com/smf/index.php?topic=529.0
(This one is for high polygon character heads but it should have some relevant material)
http://www.ozarkgames.com/smf/index.php?topic=527.0 (It's about two years old, I think you'll find there are much better ways of modelling a head, but it is still relevant.)
This one is for cars, but hthe principle is the same, you model it piece by piece organically.
http://seppuku-arts.koetsuaboshi.net/?q=node/17
Still stuck?
Well, I'll try as hard as I can to work through a full character modelling tutorial tomorrow morning
(Although I shouldn't but, I need to my practicing in)
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