I just finished my last model from the stash and it was, just like the previous few, an exercise in frustration [:(]. My hands are trembling so much that I started recently to eat with weighted cutlery. For those not in the know, weighted cutlery is a type of cutlery with thick and heavy handles as weight eliminates or reduces trembling. Without it, I am droping food and spilling soup. Even my glasses and cups have a heavy bottom added, othervise my hands are trembling so much that I am spilling the drink. So I would model only 15-20 min every other day and even that was very difficult and frustrating. So I feel I just had enough as I just don’t enjoy building any more. It sucks big time. Its a weird feeling between not enjoying it but at the same time loving it, don’t know if it makes sense.
Luckily, I can still do my work (physiotherapy) as I work with big joints and not small ones like fingers. Photography is fine as my camera is quite heavy so no trembling but typing on a smart phone is difficult as the letters are small. Puting the key into a keyhole is hard unless I do it quickly, and I made a round weight that I put on a pen at work so that I can write legibly. The whole thing sucks.
Dear sir, I too tremble due to my work related accident. I find a multi one a day vitamin, turmeric ginger, and ginseng helps a great deal so too does spring wine. Of course a daily regimen of exercise will bring in balance especially Yoga. Most importantly modeling helps me to cope with my disabilities. When my back is against the wall, Ezra steps up and makes the next move.
Your friend,
Toshi
P.S. I’m currently recovering from a seizure and am steering clear from model building. But check out my stamp collection share. It’s once again something Ezra and I enjoy greatly together!
I really like Toshi’s positive commentary on your question.
Complete sense, yes. I think you need to figure out if the fun outweighs the frustration. If it does not, it might be time to take a break for a while. I think those decisions are easy for some, they’ve never been easy for me.
I would adjust fire on the types of models you build. Instead of more complex models with thousands of tiny pieces, assemble more substantial kits with fewer parts.
I was getting wrapped into building such complex models that it felt like I never truly finished a kit. I hate painting so I would have kits awaiting their day in the paint booth. Eventually, I started building pre-decoated Star Wars kits and Tamiya 1/48 scale armor.
Simpler kits that went together quickly and needed minimal work. I still got the enjoyment of building a kit, but without all the items many modelers “think” are needed like high end photo etch, weathering pastels, etc.
I have to say, It’s hard to model and shake. I am starting down the same path. Modeling to me is like a fine whisky to a connesiuer. But I refuse to stop! Why? I am the stubbornest person I know. Don’t tell me I can’t do it. The doctors said by 60 I would be in a motorized Chair. Ain’t happened yet!!
Now that said.Your situation is different as is Toshi’s and mine. You do what you feel right for you!
There has been a lot of discussion on this issue lately- is something in the environment causing our hands to shake? I think some of the discussion was in the Tools, Techniques and Reference Materials. There was a long thread about how to overcome shakey hands. I think it might have been in the Techniques area, but checking the Tools too would not be hard.
I frequently think of giving up the hobby, same reasoning: degenerating hand and arm strength. I can’t use an airbrush anymore, and really brush painting isn’t as easy as it once was because my hands get tired after a couple minutes.
But then there is some kit that pulls me back in, or a book that features some vehicle, and I somehow adapt and overcome. Now I just build subjects that are a single color and usually have someone use a rattle can to base coat it, and I weather it with a brush. (albeit very slowly)
The other thing is a lack of space to display the completed kits, that me wanting to stop. Given all the above, when I can finish something it hacks me off when someone in my family shoves the kit in a corner and snaps an antennae off. I feel like I am wasting these kits, and my time, if they are just going to be trashed afterwards.
I too have the shakey hands to go along with failing eyesight and other problems. But, to quit building after doing it for 73 of my 79 years NOT FOR ANY REASON. They’ll have to cut me loose from the bench and pry my Exacto from my cold stiff hands.
I have to do dialysis every night. I still have steady hands and my eyes are still working well. My doctors tell me model building is great therapy. My balance is not so good, but I don’t need it for this. I don’t build as much as I used a to, only one a month now, and I don’t do all the other things I used to worry about. I haven’t entered a contest in years. Now its all for recreation. I guess like others, I’ve been doing for too long to do something else.
I know how it makes you feel about model building, I’m 79, neuropathy in legs and hands, general clumsiness and pretty severe shakiness. But I’ve made changes to accomodate for continuing the hobby.
One, I use a small weighted shot bag on the bench, when holding something for such as gluing parts or airbrushing, I lay the back my holding hand on the bag, it conforms instantly to the shape of my hand. That nearly completely removes the shakiness, and I can hold the position as long as needed.
Free hand airbrushing is not easy now, but I took an idea from artists, they will sometimes use a small wooden stick for holding their hands steady when working in an awkward hand/arm position. Mine is sturdy enough to not bend under the weight of my hand and arm, plus I used some rtv on the end for traction at the base, so it can’t slip on the bench surface.
It sounds a bit like a rough jury rig, but with some practice and familiarity it provides significant help. I hope you’re able to find ways to assist you, it would be really difficult for me to quit the hobby, I’ll bet for you as well.
I hope it never gets to that point where I can’t physically do it,but I guess if you live long enough,problems will crop up.I just hope its many years because the the stash is still pretty large.
Actually twice, during both my tours during the Vietnam war. I restarted again when I got back to the States. Since I got out in the late 80s I have thought about it a few times for reasons like lack of money and this continuing irratating problem with my eyes. As a matter of fact, if it wasn’t for there being a club here I might not be building at all now. That would only leave me watching T.V. and since I can’t fence anymore, going to the gun range.
Yes, a break will be good. Back to baking with kids. Banana bread with wallnuts and cranberries was yesterday. Next is my world famous foccaccia bread [:)]