When I was a young lad one of my favorite hobbies was building models. Plastic cars with crooked wheels, visible blobs of dried glue, and wrinkled decals littered my bookshelves for many years.
Like most of my interests that didn’t involve girls, videogames, music, or girls it faded away in my teens. But recently the urge to fill my house with glue fumes and and profanity has struck again.
It didn’t start with a “Hey, I want to build a plastic model again!” epiphany. It started with a “Hey, I want a model of the starship Enterprise.” Of course that means actually building a model of the Enterprise, since they don’t come assembled.
The problem is I was never good at building models. I think it was my combined lack of patience and artistic ability, neither of which have improved with age, sadly. Still, I proceed with my plan.
The first step was to find a model of the Enterprise. I recently scored this antique* from Ebay:
* In this case “antique” means 1983. It pains me to accept that most items from the 80s are antiques now. Sigh
Before I try (and most likely ruin) that one, I’m going to practice on a cheaper, less rare kit recently released by Polar lights (Available now at fine retailers!):
It’s a snap-together — the training wheels of the modeling world. I’ve found comments online from several folks who have built it though and most say they still used glue for durability and a more seamless assembly. I’ll do it just for the practice.
Snap-together or not, it still looks intimidating to me. Somehow I have to turn this:
Into this:
I’m most concerned about my painting ability, or lack thereof. That’s why I really want a trainer before tackling the big model. I have no clue how to paint models, so I’ve done some research online. Priming, sanding, painting, finishing. It all sounds so complicated. Fortunately if I butcher this one I’m not out much. Depending on how I do I may even buy a couple more cheapies before trying the antique.
My next step is to get some supplies. Unfortunately since I live in the real life equivalent of Bedford Falls there aren’t exactly an abundance of hobby shops around. I stopped in one local craft chain store yesterday. “We have both kinds — scrap-booking and basket-making.” Sigh.
Walmart has acrylic paint. Also, there is a Hobby Lobby in Cross Lanes and a really great hobby store in Teays Valley (in that shopping plaza near the Big Lots). How do I know these things? The Evil Twin is a rabid model builder and painter. If you have any questions, feel free to email me and I’ll pass it on to him. He’s been building and painting for over 40 years now. It probably doesn’t hurt that he’s a graphic designer, so he can paint – he has sold models to other collectors who want a decent paint job. But, painting it yourself is most of the fun, I think!
Thanks, ETW! I’m planning a trip to the hobby shop in Cross Lanes in a few days. Hopefully they’ll have everything I need.
I may indeed send a few questions your way.
When you told me you were busy “working on a model” this week I didn’t think you meant THIS kind of model.
“Oh My!”
Is the glue as …. strong … as it was when we were young?
(snif)
Muze: I don’t have any glue yet but I’ll be sure to let you know. sniffsniff
Remember, pour it into a smaller-size Doritos bag and make sure you have an airtight seal around your mouth. Short breaths in and out for no more than ten seconds at first, and make sure you blow out into the bag before you set it down, or the bag will glue itself shut. Then use a hot (it has to be hot, mind) washcloth to put over your nose and mouth. That will open up your pours and prevent ‘gluesniffers acne’ in the area.
…uhh, i mean. Um. Yes. Models.
ahem.
Wherz ur blawgrol?
I used to use it for navigation.
@Chris: Gah! I didn’t realize it had disappeared. I restored it. Thanks for the heads up.
Thnx.
It was the easiest link that I had to the Paul ‘n Spike Show.
Spike — you rascal!