Go on buying... though…

[ModelerSite]

During the last months, I was a bit far from Modeler Site. I started pondering, as I always use to, about how long life lasts, what we expect to do along it, how many projects do we intend to face that in general we don’t have much time to spend on. This month, I want to call your attention on a fact I believe use to happen to all modelers, our collection of boxes.

In my opinion, the first stage of a modeler who undertakes this activity in his adulthood, is BUY, keeping the same attitude along the whole life in relation to modelling. Every subject that gets us excited, every project that calls our attention or let’s say everything we wish within the modelling activity, finishes in one way or another in the hobby shop.

Thus, it’s usual to see modelers that having been engaged with this hobby for seven or eight years, have gathered about 200 or 300 kits.

Making a simple estimate about how many years I think I’ll go on modelling per the number of models I build during a year, one can easily arrive to the conclusion that something doesn’t work. For example, if thinking that I’ll go on modelling for at least 20 years more onwards, and I’m able to construct 10 kits a year, then…20 x 10 = 200.

This means that at the end of 20 years and having built 10 models per year, I would have got an average collection.

This sounds like an utopia, Who can build 10 models a year during 20 years without making a stop?, and the new ones that will be appearing?, and if I want to have a sabbatical year?…or if I only build one kit a year as many model builders I know do?

And here, we face with the hard reality, our dreams will quickly turn frustrated when sooner or later we take this calculus into consideration. Okay, I know…I’m already frustrating dreams :-).

Here below I’ll list some thoughts about what you could do to avoid feeling frustration because you couldn’t build, everything you collected with so much love…

1) Go ahead and keep up buying!!!…:-), is one of most exciting aspects of our hobby, to receive a new box. You couldn’t deprive yourself, Could you?. Guess my answer…
Now then, think about the subjects you’ll choose, buy just what really captures your attention, those that although not being built immediately, may be devoted to other aims that will be explained later on.

2) If you’re building models, and your calculus gives such a ridiculous number like the one I offer above, you’d rather take a decision:

a) Build a superdetailed model per year, in this case you might collect quite a limited (as your life lasts) amount of superb models.

b) Devote to straight from the box projects, in this way you’ll add to your collection along few years, your most liked models, furthermore if you’re skilful enough, you’ll succeed in reproducing beautiful models with neither much time-consuming nor effort.

The decision is yours, of course, I just intend to show you objectively the number possible chances, however after having built models for more than 40 years, proving myself that I can construct very good ones, it’s time to begin myself enjoying from plastic…and not the other way around

3) If even after making your own decision on building straight from the box, your calculus is still ridiculous, you can choose between two ways:

a) Be a happy collector, there are too many; think it over what you really want to build and which kits you’ll get for collection purposes, perhaps some fine day, if you choose well or buy on the Internet discontinued subjects, you’ll come across a capital stock, it’s funny and you’ll get in with kits.

b) Perhaps, the most difficult decision would be, giving others to build some kits in commission. If you’ve enough funds in your purse, contact other modellers, don’t be ashamed; you can build yours, but at the same time you may be adding some items that you dream of seeing on the shelves, consult your friends or acquaintances, probably you meet a couple of modelers intending to try this work, and even with pleasure.

4)If you didn’t feel identified with none of the abovementioned, and you’re happy buying boxes, even knowing that you’ll not be able to build them… keep up that way!, and forget this editorial, because…

Plastic modeling is an amusing and recreational activity that lets us enjoy our free time, and, although for some people means the way to earn their living, it’s still done with love and pleasure, all the while keeping in mind that it’s a pastime that aims at helping human beings feel happiness, at last the main goal in life! Don’t you think so?.

[jano11]

That's a question I keep asking myself every other day.

The answer really depends on each of us.
Some people build models OOB, others love to add lots of details.
Some manage to build lots of quality models in short time (take a look at one of the forums members, Iskandana (if I'm not mistaken), who built around 50 models in 2 years.
Others, like me, have a hard time finishing a model per year.

I already got over 100 kits on my stash, and 100 of them are kits I would like to build.
However I'm not sure if I'll be able to build models for another 50 years at least, in order to finish 100 of them.

One day I'll have to decide which ones stay and which ones go. That won't be easy at all.

[godfather23]

I start to like what you ar writing here every other week.

This subject is concerning me as well since I have the habit to collect interesting kits over a year and when the bug hits me - I resell them just to resart to collect various boxes...

Cheers


Robert

[gionc]

Interesting thoughs are you offering us, Mario.

The cool things is that those ideas come on mind (whit a bit of frustration) when you have spare time to though of enjoy the stash (anyone know this activity? It's cool, take a 2-3-400 kit's stash, open box, inspect for PE, superb decals, dream for a second or two -sometimes you'll do it in the bathroom to skip time LOL- and close the box) and not when you're excited for the rare model you found on ebay or the latest news arrived in your LHS.

Well, I forgot the issue about how model I'll do in the year in front: I'm 40 YO, and I can't suppose how I have to live yet, I see friends die and 100 YO guys unable for sure to manage micro PE! Worst, I'm able to do one or two model/year so I must expect to have a 30-40 built models in the next 20 years, with a stash of 3-400 models, with a lot of multimedia "troublefitting" stuff

So I have not solutions but a couple of thought more:

1- try to be free by the "owner syndrome", in other therm, sold something sometimes, at least my passion is modeling, and modeling techniques, not few pieces of plastic, resin or metal in a box. When I'm able to leave a good model to go, becouse a change of my subjects priority, I feel good.

2- Sons. I got 3 kids. I'm trying to teach them, with words but mainly with my dealings, how much stupid is (FOR ME) this consumerism (sorry dunno know if is the right translation: I meant the way we live eating 10 time risources than we needs, working like mad to buy things that we don't need), and then they come to the workshop and see plenty of new models any months....
Ok modeling is my mainly passion, I don't drink (not too much at least LOL), don't smoke, don't play munny.... yep just excuses

[mentel]

awesome post!!!

This is relative to so many other hobbies, just not modelling particularly. Also has me thinking! Great post man.

[360spider]

Well....I keep thinking about this too...almost all the time lately. Mostly because my modeling time shrunk next to nothing, and I have plenty of boxes in my modeling closet.

It used to be worse though. Just like you, I decided to do some math one day, and realized that there is no way in the world I'm going to build 1500 kits in my life, going at a rate of 5 per year. What did I do? I sold 1400 of them. Left only the best and the precious ones that I will definitely build. What did I do with the money? I invested them.....in Hiro kits! I think I bought about 40 MFH and other rare resins.... Soooo, I'm down to about 200 kits now (I bought only 3 or so kits this year, as I've been doing for several years now), but I know I will try to build all of them....or maybe not - at my capacity of 1-2 models per year, I think I need to do another revision :-)

[rollover]

My purchase to build ratio is roughly 5 to 1. I'm 53 yrs old and figure when I die there will be enough kits to melt them into a styrene coffin!

[wouter1981]

Well to be honest I don't really get people that stock so much kits. I understand if you buy some special and rare kits, even if there's only a small chance you'll build it, but why on earth buy 1000 kits? I'll buy them because I can? Some people have the equivalent of a serious real car worth in models, I really don't understand that.
At the moment I have my biggest stock ever: 2 unbuild, 1 just started and 1 almost finished. When I walk trough a modelshop I sometimes have the urge to buy one, but then my selfcontrole kicks in and I leave it in the shop, go home and start working on my unfinished models.
To me 360spider did the most logical thing. Sell most of them and keep the special ones.
I think buying so much models has not much to do with modeling itself, it's more an addiction than a hobby.

[mrawl]

I was talking to a very experienced modeler at a show a while back and he was selling some kits from his garage full of boxes. There was a nice and rare 1/12 there, and when I asked why he was selling it and he said he just realized he could not possibly build them all, and this one had to go. But he added that one of the main issues he has with all of those unbuilt kits is that several of them have become redundant when better versions were released. Definitely something to consider when adding yet another stock auto to your stash...

[vrossi85]

Well, Im 23 years old now, still schooling, and therefore does not have a fixed income to buy more kits. But in my collection, i already have 10 over unbuilt kits which always makes me wanting to build them now. But i also realised given my time no, with schooling as well as working in the near future, i may not have much time to build everything. But anyway, buying more kits is a pleasure as well as a hobby to me too.

Ro

[Decs0105]

What you have to keep im mind is that the kits usually don't loose any of their value with time especially resin kits which will probably raise in value in like 10 years. So it's not like you buy 300 kits and you have to build them or you loose tons of money... Just an example I sold a new perfect parts detail set which I bought couple of years ago. I figured I didn't need it anymore and I almost got 5x more than what I paid for it... better than any investment in the stock market lately

So I go for 4) (but without forgetting about the thread ), I buy what I like or what I am interested in and see if it will be ever build, if not just sell it again

[360spider]

Originally Posted by Thesaint111

I buy what I like or what I am interested in and see if it will be ever build, if not just sell it again

Very true. Kits are a good investment. Most kits that is.

[agamo]

I just think there is no need to do any math, this hobby is FUN and it should be kept that way, if building 1 model a year with a lot of work on every piece give us satisfaction, beautiful!, if building 3 kits a week to fill the shelves is what we want, beautiful! if we enjoy buying 10 a month and building 10 a year, beautiful! If we don't buy the next one until we finish the model in the bench, beautiful!
My wife, after ten years of marriage, keeps asking me if I'm going to build my 400+ stash, and the answer is always the same: "No I won't but it is a hobby, and collecting kits is part of it (in my case), and I'm lucky enough to be able to do it, so I will, and there is nothing to justify, IT IS A HOBBY, IT'S JUST ABOUT FUN"

So, do not torture ourselves about the right or wrong, it is a hobby, just enjoy it and let it go the way you want...

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by agamo

So, do not torture ourselves about the right or wrong, it is a hobby, just enjoy it and let it go the way you want...

Amen!!

[360spider]

Originally Posted by agamo

I just think there is no need to do any math, this hobby is FUN and it should be kept that way, if building 1 model a year with a lot of work on every piece give us satisfaction, beautiful!, if building 3 kits a week to fill the shelves is what we want, beautiful! if we enjoy buying 10 a month and building 10 a year, beautiful! If we don't buy the next one until we finish the model in the bench, beautiful!
My wife, after ten years of marriage, keeps asking me if I'm going to build my 400+ stash, and the answer is always the same: "No I won't but it is a hobby, and collecting kits is part of it (in my case), and I'm lucky enough to be able to do it, so I will, and there is nothing to justify, IT IS A HOBBY, IT'S JUST ABOUT FUN"

So, do not torture ourselves about the right or wrong, it is a hobby, just enjoy it and let it go the way you want...

Well said Ramon.