Great idea for a poll, 'Rebel. And you and I are both in the cool group! 
@Comrade_Shmersky everyone else is unc
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I built my first 2 models when I was 11. One was an F-105 and the other was a 1/700 scale ship, but I donāt remember specifically what it was.
Then I lost interest in modeling.
Then I got back into modeling during the mid 80ās. Built an F-14, Space Shuttle, B-1B bomber, TAMIYA New Jersey, and a few other ships.
Then I lost interest in modeling again.
Then got back into modeling in the early 2000ās and went to my first model contest in 2002.
Since 2002, my interest in modeling has only grown since then.
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So far seems like a pretty even spread to the data. Granted it is only a small sampling but does give us a decent idea of how the hobby is doing.
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I bought someoneās stamp collecting book, then bought some really cool looking Czech stamps (and Paul Von Hindenburg stamps, I have many many of those)
Honestly I donāt know why I have stamps, I guess they look cool and donāt take up much space!
Most of these are actually worth over $1!! Kinda crazy
I have a little book just like that
Yea same here for me. Iām 20, so all of my friends and I are in college now. School takes up a lot of time, and I wish I had more time to build. Not only that, but a lot of people in our generation (gen z specifically and most definitely gen alpha) have had very different childhoods than people my fatherās age. We grew up with technology almost as a regular thing. I remember a lot of my friends were super big on videogames when the iPad and Angry Birds first came out when I was 4. The allure of videogames grew and it became a hobby (if you can even call it that) and replaced a lot of the physical hobbies that people did in the past.
Checking in at 67,but hey 67 is the new 57.
I feel pretty good,retired almost 7 yrs now,no aches and pains,I do aerobic work outs so I have some stamina,living in the mountains here,count myself lucky.
Frfr no cap (one day we will be unc too)
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And itāll happen faster than you think.
Thirty six soon to be thirty seven. Canāt believe forty is only going to be three years away soon.
Young whipper snapper youā¦
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As at the time of this post, there are 38 votes, which statistically would probably be an insufficient sample size. Still, the result seems (to me) as expected.
Most of us are in the 50-80 age range.
This hobby really isnāt that expensive once you get the tools and supplies you need.
I can build a $35 kit for $35 because I have all of the tools and what not.
If you are on a budget, what I would recommend if you are serious about building models is take that budget and spend it on tools, paints, and adhesives. The core requirements for model building.
Xacto knife
Sand paper: 400, 800, 1200 for starters
Glue: Tamiya standard orange cap, and Tamiya Extr Thin with the green cap
Paint brushes (cheap set from a craft store for now)
generic tweasers
And for paint. When you buy a model there is a list of colors in the instruction manual. Just buy those colors. Cheap craft store equivalent will work if you are on a budget. But if you can, buy the Tamiya paints in a jar. The X and XF series paints. They are acrylic so you can clean your brushes with water. And they are non-toxic so you can paint in your room.
If you need spray paint, go to a hardware store and get Rust O Leum paint. I hate saying that because I firmly believe people should use hobby spray paint on models, like Mr Hobby or Tamiya. But you can save money when you buy Rust O Leum.
So yes. This hobby can be expensive to get intoā¦ At first. But once you have the equipment to build one model, you have the stuff you need to build several models. And over the long run this hobby can be inexpensive.
HOWEVER
If you start building models for shows, like I do. Then the hobby gets expensive. Iāll buy a $35 model car kit. Then Iāll drop a $20 3D printed engine in it. Then Iāll spend $15 on a set of custom wheels. Then Iāll spend $23 on automotive-grade paint and 2k clear. Then Iāll add photo etched seat belts for $8. And so onā¦
That $35 model becomes $100 + really fast. And sometimes more.
But this only applies if you are building at like a top level. Which you do not have to doā¦ At least not right away.
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Tell that to my back and neck sometimes.
Tell me about it. I canāt stand up from the office chair without making old man noises.
I donāt have the back, neck, or joint issues. But Iāve got 20/200 in one eye and am legally blind in the other eyeā¦and yet I still build models. What I lack in painting skills, photoetch, weathering, etc., I make up for with creativity and imagination when building model subjects.
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My dad makes those every time he moves - I gotta be more patient with him though, thatās just part of aging
I refuse to acknowledge that Iām getting older, I prefer to believe I am just becoming a classic, much like cars of my vintage. My sister, however, has a different view on thisā¦
ā¦this is the t-shirt I received for this past birthday.
As for the cost of tools and paints, it also helps to look for deals on common items in different places. Iāve heard great things about Harbour Freight stores (none in Canada), Princess Auto (in Canada), and similar have a ton of hobby tools usually less than a hobby shop. Dollar stores, Walmart etc for tweezers, tapes, cheap brushes for groundwork, sandpaper, nail files, craft paints, pastels and other goodies.
You donāt need the best stuff when starting, or even ever. Donāt forget to grab some good stuff from the Trains.com store if you get a gift card. If you learn to take care of your tools (even if only mid-quality) they will last a lifetime.
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That shirt is giving baddie energy though, I dont mind it!