Well it has finally happened, I can't model anymore. In my heart of hearts I always knew that this day would arrive, but this is far sooner than I ever imagined. It isn't that I don't want to carry on modelling it is simply that I can't carry on modelling Not only can I not do any modelling but I can't produce any masks either, which in some respects is even worse, as I have customers who will, ultimately be let down. I feel like it is the end of the world

What can I do now? is there anything that can replace modelling after 30 years of sniffing glue and cutting plastic? I have become lathargic and find myself even watching soaps on TV The amount of work required to empty the room where I have been modelling for the past 15 years didn't help, seeing all your models getting packed away, to say nothing of all those projects where all the parts were collected up and placed with there respective owners.

The up side is that it isn't for ever but it is a necessary eveil in the process of selling the house so that I can move down to Cornwall. When I'm there I'll be able to set up again, hopefully with a more focused approach. We are still talking a couple of months, or more, so what can I do in the meantime?

Thanks for listening

Well, there's always anticipitory planning. Look back at how everything in your former workshop enables how well you modeled. Plan out the new workspace with better storage, more workspace, improved lighting, etc. Grab some paper and a pencil and map out the new shop. Formulate the new plan. Look forward with optimism and purpose instead of focussing on the present and it's gloominess and...soaps.

Hope I've helped.
Cuhail

I agree with Murphy !
Plan your next workbench for the next 30 yrs !!

Soaps? Soaps!!?? SOAPS???? You don' need no stinking Soaps!! Jeez Lew-weez,Mal. Let's not drop off the stern end over this little interruption! Still got Devil Box,right? Still have command of all normal human faculties as well as that bizzare ww1 cammo virus you spread,right?
Well go forth,research, and recon some more specific ,interesting stuff on 2 wingers and............................................................write a book. That's right, a tome, The Lozenge Bible as told to my pal ,Mal. , a furniture leveler to make the Times Top Ten!
Unless you've already done that gig......
Just another Scotch induced posting to help my friends
Rick

Remember This?

Several years ago, after having discovered Armorama, I came across this very picture. To me, it was a masterpiece. Something that triggered aww, respect, admiration, and encouraged me to become a better modeler.

Unfortunatly, University is a time in a man's life where hobbies and sports tend to be replaced by numerous hours of studying. However, the talent demonstrated by modelers such as you has always driven me to take a few minutes to work on my workbench and to get closer to that piece of art i can call my masterpiece.

Regardless of the that fact I do not know why you can no longer model, because i spend so little time on Armorama now, I can assure you that their are people out their who will remember your work and are thankful for the numerous hours you spent reviewing items and building features.

Frank

Hey there Mal,

I feel your pain and am in the same boat (here, you can have my oar)....

We put our house up for sale. I had my workshop, and I also was running a hobby shop, that took over the dining room. Well, there is something about the dining room should actually look like a dining room and not a hobby shop, so my workshop got packed up and the hobby shop moved in and all my kits and such went into storage. The only thing I kept here were my paint (as the storage wasn't heated and no telling how long they would be there).

I started a couple of figures in the mean time, but never got them finished.

But all for not....as we are moving on Friday, so I will end up getting my stuff back!!! Can't wait!!

Take inventory of your stash, go through the list and write down what plans you have for your kits. Gather
up and write down resources , read up on resources for the next builds. As others say map out your next man cave, figure in what new shelving you may need and so on.

Good luck on your move,
Joe

Hi Mal , Sorry to hear about this but , the answer is Research and more research , remember information shared is not lost , best of luck with the move and may you soon be back were you belong at a bench . festive greetings ian

Mal.
Just plan what you are going to do with all that EXTRA modelling time your going to have when you get set up in the new place.
Imagine how I feel when I have to walk away from the workbench for months on end
If your stuck for something to do you can always nip down the road to mine and finish the decorating for me
You'll be fine, and soon back up to speed
Nige

Drink beer..... drink more beer..... chase women.
If you are married disregard the suggestions.

Sorry to hear about the modeling setback.
If possible try to get as close to the 1:1 versions of what you modeled. Go to museums to get up close and personal. Join a flying club and enjoy the real thing.

Cornwall? Brilliant! Where, roughly?

If we had a trace of logic, us modellers, we'd use this opportunity to weed out the stash and flog bits off. Second-best would probably be to plan the work area and the work programme so that, instead of getting by with whatever you've managed to cobble together over the years, you have a custom-designed modelling environment. That's what I'll be doing if I move house this year (praying for prices to keep falling...).

When I realised your problem was only a temporary situation .... this is exactly what I thought of as well. Get rid of everything you realistically wont build in the next year or two. New and better kits are available all the time, and its so much easier to work with quality. Why start afresh with a new address, a new workshop, everything new and have to tackle some old redundant kit from the 70s.

...Mal,

..while you are turning into a couch potato you can still whittle away at bits of plastic surely....get a tray and put it on your lap...you only need a few tools and a brush or two..

I couldn't not do anything...

I agree with what has been said about planning what you want to do with your stash. I'd concentrate on getting reference books and materials for my future builds. I'd also start aquiring PE for the kits I have as well.

How about building and painting some figures?
You won't need much in the way of tools, a few paintbrushes, a scalpel, sandpaper and some small pots of paint, all of which could fit in a small tool box. Modelling could be done on a tray on your lap.
Better then no modelling at all.
Andy

Thats a good idea, or you can build 144 planes on a tray on your lap as well - i do on occaision.

If not read research material - anything but bl00dy soaps!!

It'll pass quickly anyway Mal, you'll soon be back at the bench.

All the best for the move.

Andy

I definitely feel your pain, Mal. I'm living in a temporary apartment right now. Even though I have a room where I have my work area set up, I don't have any place to use my airbrush, so I'm stalled on several projects. On top of that, I've been unable to build much over the last few months due to a health problem and work. I am counting the days until we move into the new house. It won't come soon enough! Still two months to go, at least...

I concur with this this reply, and as Mal is moving to my side of the world (well, he is English....) I'll do my best to drag him back into the fold.. if nothing else, I'll scare him back to building spitfires again..

So far this is my favurite reply:


but i'm afraid this applies


Frank, thank you, I'm flatered
Don't worry Rick, there is no way that I'll be getting hooked on soaps

This forced clearing away of my hobby, although only temporarily, looks like being a blessing in disguise. During the clearing process I actually threw out a few models (don't worry nothing sacrilegious, just part built kits that haven't been going anywhere for a number of years). This was because I realised that setting up again could be a great new start, just like some of you have said. I had too many projects on the go and seemed to be finishing fewer and fewer. Changing scales hasn't helped as I simply want to build loads in my new scale. I will be doing a little modelling, basically for a couple of work colleagues, one is a Tamiya 1/48 Dambuster Lanc, using the Eduard Big Ed set. It has also been suggested that the oppertunity to set up a new modelling room, utilising all the lessons which have been learnt over the years, as to how I would really want it set out, can now be put into practice. Abso-bloomin'-lutely, I can't wait; and I'm gonna, finally, have my spray booth in my modelling room.
So, it's gonna be hard tab, but the final outcome should be well worth the wait. In the meantime I will simply look in on Aeroscale, and the other kitmaker sites, with envy, until I can jump back in, hopefully with a bang

Sean:


Mullion, on the Lizard Peninsular

Henk:
Thanks

Mal don't loose heart, carry on with research for future projects also as the Andy's have suggested get a tray a small toolbox with a couple of paints/brushes and tools and carry on with figures or even 1/144 (I dare you )

Luciano