Lets face it - modeling is expensive[V] And, are we our own worst enemies[}:)]
With our penchant for more accuracy, detail and minature realism are we making the money pit deeper[?][8] The diorama that I am now building, which is in it’s fourth month, has put a very large dent in my wallet and there is still more to go[:O] True, no one is holding a gun on me to force me to spend that much[:P] But, I like many other modlers want our time spent, and I haven’t even considered putting a value on my time, to be worthwhile and have a finished product that we can be proud to display[8D] I remember when plastic models first came out with that being the only thing. No after market stuff or anything. The big thing then for realism was model railroading (which wasn’t cheap even then). Lionel was the only game in town[:)] Someone else ran a thread on the cost of a model. I just gave a 1/72 scale Matchbox Lancaster to another modeler and the pricetag on the box was under three bucks. That same model today would be [?][?][?] Who knows?
I’ll get off my [soapbox] now. Just wondering how others feel about this issue[:D]
Of course we are making the money pit deeper. No question of that, and I don’t think anyone would disagree with you at all! But, look at it this way:
$100 for a kit (admittedly an above average kit)
$100 for aftermarket parts (maybe a bit above the average)
$20 for paint, glue, etc.
Total cost for an expensive model: around $220
Now, figure that it is going to take, say, around 200 hours to buid it. Conservative figure, it would probably be a lot more. Cost per hour: $1
Show me another hobby where you can have a ball for $1 an hour!
Not many hobbies are inexpensive. You don’t have to buy all of the nice resin & PE aftermarket goodies. Not that long ago, you either scratch built the goodies with inexpensive materials or you just built OOB & didn’t worry about it. Still can, you know. As far as putting a price on your time, Why ? It’s a hobby, by definition a spare time occupier.
modelling can be costly , i know my 1/32 raf phantom idid for example , i bought the tammy kit £58 , then the decals £78 , then the paint £10, then the cockpit stuff £20, then i realised i bought a phantomc/d was meant to be a j so new nose cone £15 , then a suu23 cannon £20 , the exhaust cans £20 , so in total it cost me £221 x $1.75= $386.75 and it still looks rubbish.
the H.A.F. phantom was pro built ( the one from ''modelling the F4 phantom book) cost me £200
As its a hobby you guys are right, the individual has the choice to spend or not. Any hobby is expensive but all depend upon the level the individual wants to to attain. I race cars and spend about $1500 a year (say $750 for you US types) including entry fees and fuel for a car worth $3500 (US$1800). I’m not ever going to be even a club champion but I have a ball and if everything goes pear-shaped I can walk away with little financial regret
quality time is priceless. but i agree the hobby has gotten expensive. i try to take advantage of marked down prices. sometines i can spot a nice kit in a chain drugstore for a little less then many hobby stores. of course you don’t have the selection, but i do get lucky here and there, and fine something i like. let’s face it!! to have the real desirable kits, your going to pay. it’s a bummer when you are on a fixed income, i just eat more beans. ever tell you guys i like beans? semper fi, mike
I have been checking out the mark down sections at my LHS’s lately and have been getting some good deals. I’ve also found cheaper kits that require more work but are still worth the effort. The Toybiz line of 1/12 scale Marvel Superheros are only 12 bucks! I have found great deals at model shows too. I bought a DML 1/35 scale Panther G nightfighting tank for only 15 dollars and a 1/48 scale ESCI F100 for 5.00. My preference for airbrushing are Tamiya paints. I deal with one hobby shop for them: all Tamiya paints sell for 1.90. And of course, I look at online sites for sales too. Model-Expo, Internet Hobbies, Great Models, and Squadron are just a few I deal with. I have also built up a collection for the past 20 years and am amazed at some kit’s prices and what I payed for them years ago. I still will shell out some money for the newer kits but try to keep expensive purchases to a minimum. This can be a very expensive hobby, but it is up to the individual on how much he or she spends and what they spend it on.
Great topic Richard,
I just came down from my workroom where I was trying to figure out what to do next.
There are things I want to do now and stuff should be doing first. It started to become more like real life, not the escape it should be, so I walked away.
I just spent a boatload of money on kits and kind of feel a little pressured to get stuff done. Reading MusicCity’s reply really put it in perspective: I literally have projects for the next five years here. So what’s the rush, they’re not perishable. The money to enjoyment ratio is truly low. Compared to my old methods of distraction it’s downright cheap.
I’m also finding I lean less towards aftermarket now. I was debating the full Aber PE set for the Tamiya 1/16 Tiger I and concluded that even though it would be nice, making the kit barrel, fenders and exhaust look good would be more challenging and enjoyable. I did get the basic sets for things like the deck screens, tool clamps and smoke dischargers that would be greatly enhanced and almost impossible to scratch build.
I don’t think so Richard, the model I’m working on now cost me nothing [;)],
the paint, glue, and blades: 10 bucks.
the look that will be on the veterans face: priceless!!!
and for everything else there’s mastercard…[:D] jk
my stash has around 40 kits, and i only spent less than $200 on it. how? by buying kits ON SALE! take this example: Hasegawa 1/72 f 15 test (the crappy one on arc about a year ago) retail: $39. i got it for $14 cause of the condition of the box.
Accurate miniatures 1/48 mustang: Retail: $47. I got it for $12 because of the lack of box
what i buy is prety good: discontinued hasegawa, RoG, icm, etc.
Car modelling is still pretty reasonable, with AMT and Revellogram 1/25 and 1/24 kits going for about $15 Canadian here. Granted, some of the reissues do take some work to turn them into a decent replica, but even AMT’s newer releases, like their Edsel and their Chrysler 300C are a vast improvement over what they were offering in earlier times. Italeri and Heller carkits can be had for 25-35 dollars, and if you realy want to splurge, some of the Japanese offerings go into the 40+ dollar range.
What can I say, I the US I can get a Tamiya 1/16 Tiger I full option for $645. In Denmark it would cost me $1500. No wonder I order all my kits abroad.
I’m not sure I understand the point of this topic, Richard. Are you displeased with the current pricing of kits and aftermarket parts, or are you tryiing to understand what drives some modelers to extremes and spend so much money on their projects?
Or is it something else entirely?
If it’s just about why people spend a lot of money on their hobbies (and this applies to any hobby), well…people just put a lot of time and resources into the things they are interested in. It’s really just that simple, in my opinion.
Of course, there are plenty of clever ways to keep modeling cheaper, like putting more effort into scratchbuilding and using household items and materials in your work. There have even been many articles about what a treasure trove for modeling the Dollar Stores are (99 yen shops here in Japan).
So, modeling certainly doesn’t have to be expensive.
Like any hobby, it’s only as expensive as you want it to be.
Why can’t we? The aftermarket and “garage kit” industries were created by frustrated modelers just like you, who wanted something that wasn’t offered by the mainstream makers. They developed their skills, and created the subjects they wanted. Then they started selling them to like-minded modelers.
If you want that 1/32 FGR2 bad enough, you’ll find a way to make it! [;)]
Just buy all Monogram kits and you will not spend much money.
It does take 3x as long to build them because of all the problems with fit, but it saves a lot of money. [:D] [;)]