Necessities

[dodgy]

Coming back to modelling in 2013 I was somewhat overwhelmed by all the new products and techniques that were going around. So many cool things to buy and try. I spent a small fortune buying tools, paints, pigments, pigment fixers, aftermarket, glues, etc,etc. I felt that if I didn't have that particular tool or paint, or if I didn't use that particular technique, then my models just wouldn't make the grade. And it was mind-blowing just trying to work out what products did, or didn't, work together. Then once I settled into the modelling groove, forgotten skills and practices began to resurface, and I started to look at all these shiny new things that I had purchased, with all their promises of perfection, and I realised that I really didn't need most of them. No doubt, like most of us here, I was building models before there was aftermarket, when there was only enamel paints and tube glue. If you wanted something extra you improvised and I gradually built up a collection of oil paints, wire, balsa wood and plastic card, etc.

Now don't get me wrong, aftermarket is great. 3D printing is awesome and modellers are spoilt for the choice and quality of kits today, but do we really need a huge collection of various types/brands of paints, tools or products that provide a special effect? Building models before was simple, fun and relatively cheap. Of course it's still fun, but it's no longer cheap and can be a lot more complex. Obviously it's up to the individual as to how simple or complex they make their build, but I wonder if sometimes we find ourselves caught up in complexities that we aren't aware of until we hit burnout, or as the saying goes, we lose our mojo? 

And hey, wow! I can say 'mojo' here and it types up ok! Couldn't use that word on FSM. Mojo, mojo, mojo. 

I'm not complaining or criticizing and 14 year old me would have been blown away by today's choices and opportunities. All I can say is that after that initial rush to the head when I came back to the hobby, I'm now much more circumspect with my choices. Anyway, I'm just throwing this out there for discussion.

[406 Silverado]

Right, you are Rob. I think sometimes I can be my own worst enemy in getting all the right AM parts, reference materials or just wanting to get something as perfect as I can get it. It's a gray area sometimes between perfection and just getting a good-looking model built but I do think I, for one, can over complicate things sometimes.

And now that you mention it .....you're right....you can say mojo on here.

[armornutii]

   Sounds to me like your experiencing modeling euphoria...brought on by a break from building then suddenly getting a hit of that glue....better than crack LOL.
    I have a BUNCH of tools, some to make better models, some ' cause I'm a tool hound, mostly because my years as a mech/tech if I needed it once I will need it again....maybe. Kinda like a condom...better to have it and not use it that need it and not have it LOL.
   I unfortunately have not been touched by the scratchbuilders Gods...if it looks good enough then that'll do. I also have a penence for PE, starting to get the hang of working it and really realky like the level it takes my models.
    Lets not forget the art of painting and weathering. A mediocore midel can be made spectacular just by applying an excellent finish and weather.

[stikpusher]

Honestly, I think half of the new products out there are just ways that certain companies have come up to replace already available products to make money for their own company. There are some that I like, but most I can pass up and continue to use what I already used previously. Remember, the old techniques are tried, tested, and true.



Now tools on the other hand, those make the hobby much more agreeable compared to shoehorning in some traditional tool into a modeling purpose. 

[cbaltrin]

I hear you dodgy.  I just depends on the individual I guess. The hobby can definitely become over complicated if you let it.  

[keavdog]

Ya but Flory washes ... 👌👍

[mz3]

Jan 22, 2024 19:44:56 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Remember, the old techniques are tried, tested, and true

Not to mention in most cases less expensive.

[lyle]

I ever knew you could reuse condos! Wow. I believe a lot is “me, too” stuff. Something takes off and creates a buzz…then everyone wants a piece of the action. If a knew tool fits my budget and I can actually use/manipulate it, then I may try it.

[tcoat]

After every complex build I HAVE to do at least a couple of fast and easy ones.

That is why I have such an eclectic mix.

That is why I can go from this


To this. Without even a second thought.

[dodgy]

Jan 22, 2024 19:53:02 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Ya but Flory washes ... 👌👍

Oh yes.... Flory washes

[dodgy]

Jan 23, 2024 13:47:52 GMT -5 tcoat said:

After every complex build I HAVE to do at least a couple of fast and easy ones.

That is why I have such an eclectic mix.

That is why I can go from this


To this. Without even a second thought.

Wow tcoat, I love both of them. Top work mate.

[dodgy]

Jan 22, 2024 19:44:56 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Honestly, I think half of the new products out there are just ways that certain companies have come up to replace already available products to make money for their own company. There are some that I like, but most I can pass up and continue to use what I already used previously. Remember, the old techniques are tried, tested, and true.



Now tools on the other hand, those make the hobby much more agreeable compared to shoehorning in some traditional tool into a modeling purpose. 

Right on stik, a clear example of this I reckon is pigments. Pigments are essentially just coloured chalk and for years now I've been using dry artists pastels. You can buy a whole packet of these with various colours a lot cheaper than a few jars of the commercial product. Tools however are indeed a different kettle of fish.

[Tobi]

For me an important part of our hobby is trying new stuff, and though it can become quickly expensive with all the different goodies around, I like this aspect.
Buy something, try something and then decide if you want to go on with it or not. I also like the idea of different approaches to a model, so they don't look all the same.

I was once told by a modeler friend that he can tell if a model was made by me. To this day I couldn't figure out if I find that good? On the one hand it means I have a certain style, on the other hand I'm uniformly and predictable.

What my 14-year-old me misses are the times without internet and a wall of books, where I could open a box and start assembling. Without "the air intake on this F4 is too long and the nose completely off, the armor plate on this Panther is at the wrong angle and the engine access plate on this Sherman is a millimeter to wide and the hinges are missing the screws..."

This can kill the fun for me, especially if an otherwise nicely built model is suddenly reduced to that.

About tools, my point of view is that good tools can save you from a lot of troubles. They are no replacement for skill, but I don't understand why someone would buy a kit and AM stuff for 200.-, and then use plastic melting thinner for airbrushing from the home improvement store for 2.- and ruin his model that way?

[TJ]

My take on this....I'm not a contest builder, but....I enjoy adding some extra detail to my builds. So I'll spend the extra $£€¥ to get a nice cockpit set. But I'm not one to replace half the kit because the internet said I have too.
I'm A tool junkie. Have been forever. If I can afford it and I think it'll help in the long run...its mine

[dodgy]

Jan 24, 2024 2:57:11 GMT -5 Tobi said:

For me an important part of our hobby is trying new stuff, and though it can become quickly expensive with all the different goodies around, I like this aspect.
Buy something, try something and then decide if you want to go on with it or not. I also like the idea of different approaches to a model, so they don't look all the same.

I was once told by a modeler friend that he can tell if a model was made by me. To this day I couldn't figure out if I find that good? On the one hand it means I have a certain style, on the other hand I'm uniformly and predictable.

What my 14-year-old me misses are the times without internet and a wall of books, where I could open a box and start assembling. Without "the air intake on this F4 is too long and the nose completely off, the armor plate on this Panther is at the wrong angle and the engine access plate on this Sherman is a millimeter to wide and the hinges are missing the screws..."

This can kill the fun for me, especially if an otherwise nicely built model is suddenly reduced to that.

About tools, my point of view is that good tools can save you from a lot of troubles. They are no replacement for skill, but I don't understand why someone would buy a kit and AM stuff for 200.-, and then use plastic melting thinner for airbrushing from the home improvement store for 2.- and ruin his model that way?

I'm hearing you mate.

[dodgy]

Jan 24, 2024 4:24:53 GMT -5 TJ said:

My take on this....I'm not a contest builder, but....I enjoy adding some extra detail to my builds. So I'll spend the extra $£€¥ to get a nice cockpit set. But I'm not one to replace half the kit because the internet said I have too.
I'm A tool junkie. Have been forever. If I can afford it and I think it'll help in the long run...its mine

Tools are hard to ignore.

[Tobi]

What I mentioned earlier with the thinner from the home improvement store is a true story.
At the times when there was a hobby shop near my workplace, I would spend some time almost every afternoon there with the shop owner.
There was this one guy who needed every three months a complete set of rubber sealing for his airbrush, so we asked him in disbelief what he was doing.
He said he's using Nitro thinner from the home improvement store, because the Revell airbrush cleaner is too expensive for him, but the Nitro keeps damaging the rubbers...
The shop owner and me laughed and when we told him by using the Revell cleaner the rubber sealing won't get affected, because that's the special thing about it, one could hear his brain going into 1st gear.

[mz3]

Jan 24, 2024 2:57:11 GMT -5 Tobi said:

About tools, my point of view is that good tools can save you from a lot of troubles. They are no replacement for skill, but I don't understand why someone would buy a kit and AM stuff for 200.-, and then use plastic melting thinner for airbrushing from the home improvement store for 2.- and ruin his model that way?

I've seen way to many times on gunpla forums or groups where someone will complain about not having money for proper tools or paint, yet they literally just spent $350 on a Perfect Grade gundam kit. Or my favorite, they complain about how expensive the tools are, but they want the $75 cutters and $30 sanding tools.

[406 Silverado]

Jan 24, 2024 6:42:32 GMT -5 Tobi said:

What I mentioned earlier with the thinner from the home improvement store is a true story.
At the times when there was a hobby shop near my workplace, I would spend some time almost every afternoon there with the shop owner.
There was this one guy who needed every three months a complete set of rubber sealing for his airbrush, so we asked him in disbelief what he was doing.
He said he's using Nitro thinner from the home improvement store, because the Revell airbrush cleaner is too expensive for him, but the Nitro keeps damaging the rubbers...
The shop owner and me laughed and when we told him by using the Revell cleaner the rubber sealing won't get affected, because that's the special thing about it, one could hear his brain going into 1st gear.

 Too funny!!! Some folks just don't put two and two together. 

[fermis]

Jan 22, 2024 19:18:45 GMT -5 dodgy said:

 

And hey, wow! I can say 'mojo' here and it types up ok! Couldn't use that word on FSM. Mojo, mojo, mojo. 

 My ears were ringing...or itching...or however that's supposed to go!!!

[Steve Zuleski]

Great post, cause I knew I wasn't the only one who is in awe of everything out there. I may not have every gadget, but I try to acquire the ones I can really use, and my supply depot is running low on a lot of stuff. But, like in days gone past, if I can make it, why buy it, I say!

[lyle]

Jan 23, 2024 13:47:52 GMT -5 tcoat said:

After every complex build I HAVE to do at least a couple of fast and easy ones.

That is why I have such an eclectic mix.

That is why I can go from this


To this. Without even a second thought.

These are tremendous pieces of work! 

[TOWGunner]

All of my necessary building tools fit in a tackle box, get taken to build days, and get spread on my workbench when being used.



Then I have drawers for all of that other stuff we're talking about.