Well at just a few months away from my 67th bd, I finally started my first model (1/35th WWII Jeep w/driver), in over 50-yrs! WOW, what an eye-opening experience to start off:
Fingers are too big for the microscopic parts
Old eyes and small parts and detail do not like one another
As a kid I never had $$ for paint!!! Tried priming a few parts with a rattle-can and boy do I have a lot to learn here
I have a new airbrush/compressor, but I got a few rattle-cans on a sale on EBay, so for now will use them
Found I still have some toys to buy, tweezers, etc.
It appears that even this small model (limited number of parts) will take a while to do correctly, but I’m retired and in no rush!
Welcome Willee! LOL! Yeap, you’re back in the hobby! I had a 20 year hiatus while in the Air Force and had the “shock” of the new stuff the hobby had to offer…and I completely understand about the eye site thing! Some magnifiers will be your best friends! I use the visor type (a couple of threads about them already), but there are many versions for magnification. But hey, you’re retired, sit back, relax, and have fun! Remember, it’s a hobby! Again, welcome aboard!
Welcome back Willee! At 61, I’m not that far behind you either. You’ve come to a good place to learn as there are some fantastic builders here. Take plenty notes, bookmark pages, ask questions, etc. Also, be mindful of other great scale-modeling sites. A quick Google search will lead you to many others. Good to have you here!
At least problem 2 can be fixed. Unless you have a more complex eye problem, simple far sightedness or lack of accomodation can be fixed with reading glasses or other vision aids. Sorry to say I have not found a fix for problem 1, the loss of manual dexterity with age
Welcome to the Forums Willie! Glad to have you aboard! I’ve been building for 67 of my 73 years and I learn something new almost every day. There are a lot of great guys, and gals, on here that are ready, willing, and able to help out so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ditto on the bad eyes and throw in arthritis and shaking hands. It’s a good thing we’re retired as it takes us longer to get the job done.
While not quite as long a layoff, I am also a fairly new returnee.
#1…Check
#2…Daable check
#3a…food color and blank paper/cardboard are your practice friends. As Don S. and other will tell you- it is a brush, not a spray gun. Still learning how to apply that philosophy.
#3b…Look everywhere for cheaper options. Beauty supply aisles, JoAnn’s Fabric, Hobby Lobby - varioius departments, google, etc. Start saving small plastic condiment cups, odd bits that may have some use. a few aluminum cans for the material, etc. Don’t overlook any potential source.
#3c…Right attitude!
#3d…Don’t we all.
On another site, I had written my “Ode to Fiddly Bits”. I cannot fathom how some do 1/72 with PhotoEtch! I am about to give up on a 1/48 cockpit that has a bunch of PE and simply do it the “old” way.
