discussion An expensive hobby...........?

[Guest]

I don't know if anyone else finds it the same, but modelling seems to be getting very expensive for me. I've just worked out a buying list to help me create better models, and this entails the use of washes, filters (the Mig ones), '502' oils, 'special' odourless turps for the oils, oil brushes, pigments, etc. Of course I don't have to have these, but to create better-looking models they're useful, right?

Has anyone got any tips to save money on weathering products? I'm going to use white spirit for pigment fixing so I don't have to buy the 'special' fixer.

How many of you use filters? It's around 5 quid a bottle for the Mig stuff. Any other alternatives? All my base coats are done with either Vallejo or Tamiya acrylics.

And I haven't even mentioned the price of high quality models yet? Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining (well, I am...lol), but more concerned about how I can afford to continue to improve with the hobby when money is so tight. It is supposed to be a relaxing hobby after all.

What do y'all think?

 

[Ian M]

Well lets take a look at that list:

Mig Washes and filters There are other alternative brands and also methods.

Oil Brushes..... Really. I just use what I have at hand.

Odourless turps. Only a real issue if you work in a shared room or you really can't stand the pong. There are many choices from the expensive to the quite cheap. One of the good ones I have heard of is citrus oils... Yes concentrate of oils from Lemons and Grapefruit!!

Oil paints are in the long run cheap. I have reluctantly thrown some out. After 20 years they where starting to go grainy... they Last a real long time it what I think I am trying to say.

What is a filter? if we are talking a coloured wash, see above re oil paints....

I try to evaluate the real need for modelling things and if there is a get by I use that. Things I don't skimp on are sanding sticks and knifes.

And to the last comment. Yes. Some of the prices are well over the top, but plastic is a oil product and all the time oil prices rise, so will kit prices. And of course the buggers that produce them know that there will always be some that will shell out over the top prices.

Ian M

 

[Guest]

spread it out over time.. well at least you wont notice it as much ..

i cant really give any tip on weathering tho..

shane

 

[Guest]

Cheers, chaps.

 

[Guest]

Well I am a bit surprised Alex as I thought that model making is about the cheapest pastime around.

OK to begin with there is a reasonable amount to accumulate but that is not expensive compared to other hobbies pastimes & sports. Once you have the essentials they last for some time.

The most expensive is the airbrush & compressor but they last a hell of a long time (hope).

After all the above it is down to the cost of the model & paints. Just got a Harrier 1/48 £15. Probably got the paint from previous models. That is it. Probably take a month to complete. Say £4 a week a pint & a half of beer.

Which other activity costs less & keeps you active for so much time on the cost ? Go to a football match how much does that cost. A test cricket match £60 a day.

Laurie

 

[stona]

I'm with Laurie,I think this is a relatively cheap hobby.

I've accumulated al lsorts of stuff over many years,certainly spreading the cost.Don't forget that all the fancy products in the world don't make a good model,you do. I'll buy a £ 50 model kit which will keep me busy for weeks. That's pretty good value for money!

I've mentioned before that an old friend of mine used to race hydrofoils,now that's an expensive hobby!

Cheers

Steve

 

[Guest]

it can look expensive if you try and buy in bulk, just spread it out and take your time, once you have the stuff it will last you and works out very cheap,

i do paintballing and own the website YouPaintball - Share Your Videos, thats expensive, and im a qualified skydiver, thats even more expensive,

another tip is be careful with your products, dont spill a full bottle of tamiya extra thin cement that you had sent over from hong kong (like i did , opps) also things like paints, only use what you need, or less, you can always add a little more to you pallet,

shane

 

[Ian M]

A skydiving paint-baller...... That could be so much fun. Tell me you have tried haven't you.

Ian M

 

[Guest]

Don't forget that all the fancy products in the world don't make a good model,you do. Steve

Fascinating as this afternoon I was beavering away with little bits & pieces for my Catalina. Sanding off the remains of the little ends of sprue. Using the sanding blade I have had for 18 months my favourite for sanding. Noticed that one side had lost most of it's sand grit & thought that is value for money & thought of all the other, perhaps stupid, sanding things I have bought that I hardly use.

But then thought I have still got the other side of the sanding blade to work with. Thought if you have read Ron (Spanner) this week stating he hates buying & uses anything he can get including nature's freebies he has proved the point.

Laurie

 

[Guest]

oh i wish, i would love to skydive into a game , skydiving is so strict though .. and again expensive, i would struggle to hire the aircraft never mind the planning ,

two of my mates had a sword fight in free fall (with foam swords )

shane

 

[Guest]

The cost of the hobby is getting expensive but i can think of a lot of so called hobbies that are probably more expensive!

I tend to cut costs down by shopping on line and e-bay, also i have bought some great kits, paints and accessories from other modelling forums etc, so i suppose its like everything else, if you are prepared to shop around you can pick up some excellent bargains!

 

[Guest]

talking about buying from forums, on here it says

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• [*=left]Threads: 433
  [*=left]Posts: 1,654
  

on the for sale section but i only see 1 thread?

shane

 

[Guest]

scroll down the page a bit and there is a button saying "show threads", it probably says last two weeks, change it and all the threads will appear.

 

[Guest]

I think is not an expensive hobby... But I understand your exposition Alex.

If it's true that in comparison with other hobbies is cheap, even this way, sometimes one thinks if he buys many paintings, washes and kits... Personally I have not much material!! But as before my hobbies are "exterior", I'm a Dive Master, imagine ... I live in the mountain, drive with the car two hours to come to the sea + gasoline + ship...

What I like more, but, is that it's a hobby that it makes enjoy your own house and with yours (though they do not share interest, there they are) and it has not price... So to buy a Kit and a few pipes of painting is interesting if it is obtained!!

Cheers

 

[flyjoe180]

I find it is as expensive as you want it to be. The initial setting up costs can be large if you need to buy everything, but once up and running it's not bad. Besides, it's fun and you have something to show for your investment in money and time.

Also there is no point in being the richest corpse in the graveyard.

 

[Guest]

I've shown myself up with how little money I have.......lol I'll get my coat.

 

[aaron]

A jay, Get the 502 brown wash that saves you needing mig brown wash by making your own.

Thats a great list and will be very helpful, i agree with the spreading it out over time.Thats how i have got all my gear (a few items at a time)

good luck bro and tbh your work is awesome with the gear you allready use.

 

[aaron]

Ive brought 2 kits from this site at prices that made me feel nepitised. (cheers Tony)

 

[Guest]

I think really its a matter of perspective .Take fishing for example depending on what type ie: fresh ,salt, fly,deep sea. all have inherent costs and depending on how involved you are they of course climb respectively. The typical bass boat is going to set you back 20,000 add in fuel ,insurance,license fees and maintenance and you could probably buy a house instead. My other hobby of doing track days on my Sport bike is an easy $700 weekend and flying R/C planes is no cheap weekend either (depending on how much you crash lol) all said I think this is a reasonable hobby as far as cost goes for enjoyment had. Ajay one thing that helps me a lot to keep cost down is buying outside of the usual 'Hobby suppliers' for items such as sand paper. I buy it by the roll from the local automotive paint supply house ,other items such as glue and paint can be done the same way . Hope that helps ,cheers Trey

 

[Andy2035]

I've shown myself up with how little money I have.......lol I'll get my coat.

Hi Alex,

Your not the only one, I came back to this hobby thinking it would be the cheapest to take up again, it's the price of models that are stopping me, I have managed to get a couple of used one's off E-Bay, they had loads of bits missing so had to build one from two, paints etc aren't as bad as I can get one or two a month so it's not as bad, plus they'll last ages...

Now all I do is look through the forums at other peoples builds and enjoy them...