Post by scottg on May 13, 2012 11:20:46 GMT -5
Hi there. I was invited to join by rustyrat1960, so I thought why not! ;D
I started building models (like most guys my age, I guess) when I was a kid. I'd do my chores, then do work around the neighborhood to earn money. I'd take my hard-earned cash to the model shop down the street (or the hardware store, or the grocery store) and spend an hour just perusing the aisles picking out my next project. I'd get it home Saturday afternoon and by Sunday it was all done and on my shelf.
Well, I started growing up, got married, and let life get in the way of model building. I would do an occasional kit here or there, but for the most part it was part of my "kid life" and I figured that it was not something that a 20-something should be doing. Things stayed this way for many years where I would build a few models in a period of time, then do nothing with the hobby for years.
Then about a year and a half ago, I was in an accident on my motorcycle. My shoulder was broken in multiple places and my wrist was shattered. I had to get bone implants, two metal plates, and probably 15 screws to hold me together. I had no dexterity and no strength at all. It was so bad, I couldn't even use my hand to use a fork or pull a car door shut.
Kathi (my wife) decided that models would help. At first it was very frustrating for me because I couldn't even hold the parts without dropping them or sending them flying across the room. She would be patient and help me out gluing parts or helping me paint. Slowly I started getting better and better. My physical therapists and my surgeon knew that I would never be at 100% again, but they were so surprised by the progress that I made with my hand and wrist that they both have decided to recommend model building to their patients with injuries such as mine.
Now I am back to building models for fun and enjoyment, just like when I was a kid. I do tend to take more time now and I think my builds look much better because of it. My wife Kathi builds models as well, and so do four of our six kids. It's become such a nice family project that we now have a room dedicated to building models.
My tastes in models is varied. By far, I prefer car models, though. I enjoy old cars, muscle cars, exotic cars, and have recently gotten into NASCAR cars. I also enjoy building WW2 ships (recently finished the USS Hornet and will be working on all 6 Japanese carriers involved in Pearl Harbor). And lest you all think I am all about the real vehicles, I also enjoy building sci-fi models. I used to really enjoy building sailing ships, but my dexterity is such that I simply can't do all the rigging still - maybe someday, but not yet.
Finally, finances being what they are, I have to make due with what I have on hand. Hence, I tend to do some scratchbuilding when needed, whether it's making a rollcage for a racecar, using clay to make a mold for resin, or whatever. I do like building a car straight out of the box, but many times I decide to build something that there is no kit for. I look forward to getting to know you all.
I started building models (like most guys my age, I guess) when I was a kid. I'd do my chores, then do work around the neighborhood to earn money. I'd take my hard-earned cash to the model shop down the street (or the hardware store, or the grocery store) and spend an hour just perusing the aisles picking out my next project. I'd get it home Saturday afternoon and by Sunday it was all done and on my shelf.
Well, I started growing up, got married, and let life get in the way of model building. I would do an occasional kit here or there, but for the most part it was part of my "kid life" and I figured that it was not something that a 20-something should be doing. Things stayed this way for many years where I would build a few models in a period of time, then do nothing with the hobby for years.
Then about a year and a half ago, I was in an accident on my motorcycle. My shoulder was broken in multiple places and my wrist was shattered. I had to get bone implants, two metal plates, and probably 15 screws to hold me together. I had no dexterity and no strength at all. It was so bad, I couldn't even use my hand to use a fork or pull a car door shut.
Kathi (my wife) decided that models would help. At first it was very frustrating for me because I couldn't even hold the parts without dropping them or sending them flying across the room. She would be patient and help me out gluing parts or helping me paint. Slowly I started getting better and better. My physical therapists and my surgeon knew that I would never be at 100% again, but they were so surprised by the progress that I made with my hand and wrist that they both have decided to recommend model building to their patients with injuries such as mine.
Now I am back to building models for fun and enjoyment, just like when I was a kid. I do tend to take more time now and I think my builds look much better because of it. My wife Kathi builds models as well, and so do four of our six kids. It's become such a nice family project that we now have a room dedicated to building models.
My tastes in models is varied. By far, I prefer car models, though. I enjoy old cars, muscle cars, exotic cars, and have recently gotten into NASCAR cars. I also enjoy building WW2 ships (recently finished the USS Hornet and will be working on all 6 Japanese carriers involved in Pearl Harbor). And lest you all think I am all about the real vehicles, I also enjoy building sci-fi models. I used to really enjoy building sailing ships, but my dexterity is such that I simply can't do all the rigging still - maybe someday, but not yet.
Finally, finances being what they are, I have to make due with what I have on hand. Hence, I tend to do some scratchbuilding when needed, whether it's making a rollcage for a racecar, using clay to make a mold for resin, or whatever. I do like building a car straight out of the box, but many times I decide to build something that there is no kit for. I look forward to getting to know you all.
