discussion How do you deal with physical challenges while modelling?

[Guest]

Recently I read a mention or two on the forum regarding coping with physical challenges such as poor eyesight along with dexterity issues with smaller scales. A proportion of forum members, like myself, are coping with the influence of old age and I would be interested to read what your particular issues might be and how you have overcome or minimised their effects.

In my own case, I've recently developed a slight tremor in the left hand that causes more mischief than you might imagine. Holding the model in one hand while positioning a part with the other is quite a challenge whichever way around. While my right hand is rock steady I can no longer hold a small part for painting in the left while using a brush with the right. I've gotten around that by placing the target part on some Blu Tack stuck to the workbench to keep it firm and stationary.

In the case of eyesight, I have been myopic (short sighted) since mid teens. As you age with this condition the changes causing normal sighted people to require reading glasses, actually improve myopic vision. In my own case I can now focus clearly on objects from 100mm to 300mm - perfect for modelling - without the need for correcting spectacles. So I'm having a real win in the eyesight department.

I can no longer place canopy masks accurately on 1/72 scale models, but strangely I can still hand-paint 1/72 canopies well enough for that to suffice as an acceptable alternative.

Do you have a similar story to tell and have you found innovative ways to cope? I'm sure other members would be interested to read any responses and any tips or gear that might come in handy.

 

[AlanG]

I was an RAF engineer for 17 years and the use of power tools and working with seriously heavy loads has left me with 'white finger' or whatever it's called these days. Basically, arthritis in the hands/fingers (amongst the damage from broken fingers). I find it sore holding paint brushes and/or airbrushes for any length of time. I have a slight shake in my hands when i hold things at certain angles. My dexterity has also suffered. Neck and back is shot to bits so 'stooping' over the work bench causes pain quickly. Eye sight is knackered. Been like that since age 7. So i'm used to it. Glasses are a must.

I get around all this by doing short burst at the bench which can be a pain when i'm in the 'zone' and want to build. For my eyesight I've just purchased the magnifying glasses and they are/will be a great help.
For steadying my model i was lucky enough to get a model stand from a user on here. Also using decent tweezers helps a lot. I have various pairs that can either self-close or be closed by me.
Nothing can stop the pain in my back but again those magnifying glasses will allow me to take items off the bench, sit back in a chair and work on them close up. Thus stopping the 'stooping' that causes the pain. I know posture is everything so a decent chair to sit in is a must too.

 

[PaulTRose]

for me its eyesight.....have to wear glasses and intricate work needs one of those magnifying head set jobbies......once we are back to something a little more normal must get eyes tested

im also asthmatic.......dosnt bother me too much cept i cant use any paint that gives off fumes.........but i use water based arcylics anyway....but still take usual precautions/ppe

 

[spanner570]

I'm 72.
As I fall to bits, I simply adapt.................... Fill in your own method.

The main thing I avoid is any kind of stress through my model making. I'm in this lark strictly for fun and full bore to boot!

 

[Guest]

Try modelling while having an heart attack.

 

[Guest]

Try modelling while having an heart attack.

Must have been a really bad kit! :smiling3:

 

[Guest]

Must have been a really bad kit! :smiling3:

If you search IJN Mikasa you will see the story and the finished kit.

 

[Guest]

If you search IJN Mikasa you will see the story and the finished kit.

Done ... and I'm pleased the story had a happy ending, Ralph, along with the magnificent job you did on the ship.

 

[Guest]

I'm 72. As I fall to bits, I simply adapt ...

Being the same age I concur completely. Life gets to the point where you shouldn't worry about what one can't do, just be grateful for what one still can.

 

[spanner570]

........ just be grateful for what one still can.

Yes, indeed. If a tad slower than before!

Yours.
Not quite on the scrap heap, Ron

 

[AlanG]

Oh you aren't ready for the scrap heap Ron. Judging by your anniversary pics the other week, you can drink far more bubbly then i can and still operate machinery lol

 

[Dave Ward]

I just accept it - I use a magnifier, but there's not a lot I can do about my hands shaking........................... I wait for a better day. I'm in no hurry, I'm not stressing out over something I can't control :disappointed2:
Dave

 

[Lee Drennen]

I’m 52 and my eyesight and sever arthritis in my hands and legs have made me re-group on life and come to understanding that building that super fine details that are very small doesn’t matter to me anymore. I’ve done my fair share of it and I don’t have to prove nothing to myself anymore that I can build a super detail model I’ve done what I wanted to do. Now I enjoy build the old model kits of my childhood and maybe give them a slight face lift but far as the super detailing and intricate stuff no more I won’t put my eyes and hands through that and just to get burned out on the model

 

[spanner570]

When I read about my fellow modellers battling with various 'Ailments', I realize how fortunate I am to have thus far escaped relatively unscathed.
Every time I open the curtains in the morning I thank who, or whatever you conceive your god to be, for another day.

....and Lee, your attitude to model making neatly sums up mine too!

 

[BattleshipBob]

I have recently been diagnosed with ME or chronic fatigue syndrome. This i have been told will get worse, having issues with breathlessness, opening bottles, climbing stairs, walking any real distance, etc. Worse i surpose is the fatigue, i have days when i feel so weak and totally knackered

But hay ho there are so many others much, much worse than me, stop moaning Bob

Also have a addiction to StuG' and that is getting worse!

 

[Jim R]

Like Ron I consider myself very fortunate. At 70 I have no health issues to speak of. When I read of what some of you have to cope with and still produce such superb models I am honestly impressed and humbled.
Jim

 

[boatman]

WELL I have the shakes now an then an I have back trouble from a injury at work but thank good ness I have good days as well as bad so on the good days I get stuck in to modelin an I also have a magnifier, like dave
chris

 

[Guest]

Eye sight. I asked the optician to provide specs with more magnifiation than readers.

Makes lot of difference. i do not have to use a magnifier much at all.

Also have neck problem. I have made two platforms about 3" high
so that I have the ability to work at 3" higher & place the other platform
on top 6" higher.

Just made up of cheap white face shelving with a piece of timber at each end.

 

[boatman]

Eye sight. I asked the optician to provide specs with more magnifiation than readers.

Makes lot of difference. i do not have to use a magnifier much at all.

Also have neck problem. I have made two platforms about 3" high
so that I have the ability to work at 3" higher & place the other platform
on top 6" higher.

Just made up of cheap white face shelving with a piece of timber at each end.

HI Laurie now that's a very good idea on how to help your self very well done :thumb2: chris

 

[Tim Marlow]

I am extremely short sighted and have worn glasses, then contact lenses, since I was small. I therefore wore an optivisor improve close up vision as a necessity. Recently I developed rheumatoid arthritis which made my hands and wrists extremely stiff and painful first thing in the morning, which in turn made the contacts very difficult to fit. As a result I took the decision to stop wearing contacts and only wear varifocal glasses. A bonus to this is that without glasses my eyes have about a two point five magnification close up, so I work over the top of my glasses and no longer need the optivisor. This will cause no further deterioration in my eyesight according to my optician, so is a real plus. The RA is currently in abatement due to medication so it’s a win win really....
Apart from that I occasionally get back problems, but a good quality fully adjustable office chair minimises the impact of that.
Good lighting should be taken as a must at any age to reduce eye strain.