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The general state of my hobby situation

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  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
The general state of my hobby situation
Posted by saltydog on Saturday, December 4, 2004 9:53 AM
well, i'm less than 30 days from having to move into a 2 bedroom apartment. money is gonna be really tight as my new job is based on incentives. i'll get a base salary plus $200/week for vehicle expenses, but the real money is made by commisions. well, the commission isn't paid until the product is completed, and the product being houses, my commision won't kick in until i've been employed for atleast 120 days. with that said, my family and i are gonna have to be stripped to the bare neccessities until the commission starts rolling in. that may translate to no internet for a few months.
also, i'm not too positive i'm gonna be able to model in the apartment. as of now, i have no real effective exhaust system for the horrid chemicals i use for the hobby........ie lacquer thinner and MM enamels. i paint really close to the bathroom exhaust now and it does ok. i can walk out and come back to the room and still smell the fumes most of the times. i've built a pretty impressive array of enamel paints and now i'm thinkin' hard about switching to acrylics, if i find room in the apartment that is. that saddens me, as i'll have to buy all new paint colors, and like i say, i'll be hard pressed for money for a few months. my wife is not happy about the thought of me even attempting to model in the apartment...........with the current looks of my workbench, i can't really blame her!! it looks like a bomb went off over there. i've heard it kicked around on here about acrylic fumes being just as toxic as enamels? MAN!! i'm not enjoying the thought of losing touch with you guys or the hobby for long period, but its not lookin' good at the moment.Sad [:(] this hobby/forum has provided a great source of enjoyment and relaxation for the last year or so, and i don't like the thought of not being able to visit it everyday. maybe i'll be able to work it out some way. thanks for "listening".Smile [:)] later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Saturday, December 4, 2004 10:57 AM
Hang in there, Chris! Once you get settled in, I'm sure you'll find a way to keep it all going.
And we'll all be here!
~Brian
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 4, 2004 11:11 AM
Im in a 1 bedroom apt and spraying any kind of enamels is pretty much out of the question for me. except in the summer when I can use the balcony. I used tamiya spray cans and the whole apartment reeked for days. with the acrylics and an airbrush its not very noticable at all, mainly because the paint tends to actually get on the model rather than all over the place and also on the model, like with the cans.
just switch to 72nd scale kits, the amount of paint sprayed is pretty minor, especially with an airbrush, and also theyre cheaper!
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: houston,texas
Posted by ghettochild on Saturday, December 4, 2004 12:16 PM
im in a 2 bedroom as well. all i do is open my 2 windows and spray away. of course i always wear my mask, after its all done i put my fan in the door and turn it on. the fumes are gone shortly after.
-Josh
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Saturday, December 4, 2004 12:32 PM
Hey Chris, I sure hope you find a way to stay in touch & continue the great builds. If not, we'll sure miss you & hope for a speedy return. Best of luck with the move & new job.

Regards, Rick
RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Nowhere. (Long Island)
Posted by Tankmaster7 on Saturday, December 4, 2004 1:01 PM
hope you can stay in touch with the forum. and you don't get to be as good a builder as yourself w/otu figuring out someway to keep building!
-Tanky Welcome to the United States of America, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, in partnership with Halliburton. Security for your constitutional rights provided by Blackwater International.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Saturday, December 4, 2004 3:18 PM
thanks for all the warm comments guys!! i wish i was a more organized modeller. i'll start a build with a nice, clean workbench, and before too long there is sprue everywhere, little pieces of masking tape stuck all over creation, pieces and parts scattered about, dirty pippets lying around, a vast array of small hobby tools chunked here and there!! maybe my wife would have more confidence if i were more organized. i'm afraid of a spill on the carpet of any rental!! i've had plenty of spills but i've been blessed with hardwood floors up until now. a 2 bedroom would be great if i were single, but being married with a daughter your room is VERY limited..........2 women in one small apartment........are you kidding me!! maybe i could chunk some of the wifes shoes and make room..............no, i'm not takin' that chance.......don't mess with a women and her shoes. anyway, i still haven't lost hope. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Alice Springs Australia
Posted by tweety1 on Saturday, December 4, 2004 4:58 PM
Don't like the idea of not reading Chris's quick wit here.
But we can be sure it's only a temporary thing.
Surprising how when you have a passion, you find ways to make it happen.

I use to live in a 2 bedroom flat, and had to do all of my painting outside, I'd just wait for a nice calm day and do it then.

Where there's a will, there's a way!
--Sean-- If you are driving at the speed of light and you turn on the headlights, what happens???
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Saturday, December 4, 2004 9:33 PM
tweety..............WAIT?!!.....................i can't bare the thought of having to WAIT!!Disapprove [V] LOL. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: phoenix
Posted by grandadjohn on Saturday, December 4, 2004 10:24 PM
I live in a two bedroom apartment and make do. You can paint on good day's by opening windows and using fans to suck the fumes out, also if you have a patio attached you can paint there when weather permits(not to hot or cold). Save your paints you can still find ways to use them.
Also shop around for an inexpensive ISP(I only pay $11 a month for mine), there are some out there using dial-up, not the best, but it works.
Remember, where there is the will, there is a way.
John
helicopters don,t fly, they beat the air into submission
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 5, 2004 12:51 AM
My sentiments to you, chris. Forums will not be same again till you get back. As you always state. . . . . "later" . . .should be sooner!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 5, 2004 6:35 AM
BUUUBBBBBAAAAAAA............
Patience............Perseverence.................and i'll wager you'll have plenty of more Practice.......
it's like falling off a bicycle...............Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: USA
Posted by MusicCity on Sunday, December 5, 2004 7:04 AM
Where there is a will there is a way. Look at the post around here somewhere from therriman who has been building in his truck. Look at the posts from students who are building on a student's income or in the room of their parent's home. IT -- CAN -- BE -- DONE. You owned a cabinet business; build a spray booth. Build a set of shelves for a closet to hold your tools and work area. Of all the people I know who could make a fold-out bench in a closet work, you are the one who has the best chance of making a good one. Don't look at what you don't have, look at what you DO have and figure out a way to make it work for you. Don't give me this defeatest attitude, just tell me how you made it work and start taking some pictures of the finished builds (don't worry, I'll host the pictures for you).

Just don't forget you've got a bunch of friends around here who will help any way we can.
Scott Craig -- Nashville, TN -- My Website -- My Models Page
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Alice Springs Australia
Posted by tweety1 on Sunday, December 5, 2004 7:18 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by saltydog

tweety..............WAIT?!!.....................i can't bare the thought of having to WAIT!!Disapprove [V] LOL. later.



Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]
Ya see, now where would we be without that wit on the forumSmile [:)]Tongue [:P]Clown [:o)]
--Sean-- If you are driving at the speed of light and you turn on the headlights, what happens???
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Sunday, December 5, 2004 8:36 AM
dang Chris... now you gone and set off my Sunday all wrong... lol

ok, here's the deal... go to netzero.net at the top it says sign up for free internet service. Click on it and sign up bubba! simple as that.. now you'll have to put up with an ad banner at the top of your page while connected but for FREE? $9.95 a month removes the ad banner.

Public libraries almost ALWAYS have internet of some kind. It's part of this big federal push at information access... if the one you move by doesnt, ask and I bet they can tell you one that does... and it's free!

now as far as modeling in an apartment I can't tell you more than everyone else always has... just start out slow on your acrylics and buy only what you need for the specific plane... remember the enamels can still be used for brushing... flat black, silver, aluminum etc... you'll still need those colors so use them and dont buy them in acrylics and ya save $$$.

Good luck bubba! If I didn't live so far you could come model at my desk now and then, from the description of yours, you'd feel right at home with mine Wink [;)]

---edit---

you could always be the loving and caring daddy/husband and make your family wear respirators while you are modeling, or better yet you said 2 bedroom... make one a hobby room and make em go sit in the other when ya wanna model! Wink [;)] Of course after 1 day of that, you'd be trying to figure out how to model from under the overpass with all the other homeless people... Big Smile [:D]
---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Alice Springs Australia
Posted by tweety1 on Sunday, December 5, 2004 8:44 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by tho9900


---edit---

you could always be the loving and caring daddy/husband and make your family wear respirators while you are modeling, or better yet you said 2 bedroom... make one a hobby room and make em go sit in the other when ya wanna model! Wink [;)] Of course after 1 day of that, you'd be trying to figure out how to model from under the overpass with all the other homeless people... Big Smile [:D]


Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]
ROTFL!

Good one tho
Not to make light of your situation Chris, but that was heaps funny.
--Sean-- If you are driving at the speed of light and you turn on the headlights, what happens???
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Sunday, December 5, 2004 8:35 PM
LOL Tom, haven't thought of that one..........thanks. i have some ideas, i'm just gonna have to wait and see how everything plays out. scott didn't mean to sound defeated, as i'm still optimistic about what i'd like to do. i have quite a few tamiya acrylics, but as we all know they don't make FS colors and such, but i have a color wheel and will just have to mix it till i can afford to buy the real deal. thanks for all the comments fellas, i'm of the same school of thought, where there is a will (and there definetly is) there is a way. later.
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 6, 2004 3:45 AM
Whats all this Salty, sorry to break it to you mate but your not going anywhere........

As far as the fumes go build yourself a spraybooth with a small computer fan or something attach an old vaccum cleaner hose and stick it out the window....
Thats the fumes problem solvedThumbs Up [tup]

Now the space problem get yourself a decent sized toolbox with lots of compartments and stick all your favourite tools in there.......
For a bench just get yourself a folding picnic table and use that, when you finish just fold it up and stash it..........

There you go Chris problems solved and i'll speak to you tommorrow and the next day and the next and so on and so forth........

Cheers Jules.......
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 6, 2004 4:21 AM
Saltydog.

You will be fine, there are many modelers out there in similar situations doing great models.
Might have to get back in touch with some very basic modeling techniques but that, IMHO, never hurt anyone skills.

Myself I am modeling on a corner PC-desc that also houses 2 compressors, 1 spray-booth, airbrush stand and most of my modeling tools and supplies. Next to the desk is a metal rack where I keep the bigger supplies(Diorama bases, etc) and the stack of models that I am currently busy with.

One thing I have found is that I can do with an A3 workarea for assembly and painting but got a small shelf(stackable A4 Input/output trays) on the side that holds the sprues/parts that I am not working on.

For big asemblies I loan the dining/kitchen table after the family is asleep.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 6, 2004 4:22 AM
Saltydog.

You will be fine, there are many modelers out there in similar situations doing great models.
Might have to get back in touch with some very basic modeling techniques but that, IMHO, never hurt anyone skills.

Myself I am modeling on a corner PC-desc that also houses 2 compressors, 1 spray-booth, airbrush stand and most of my modeling tools and supplies. Next to the desk is a metal rack where I keep the bigger supplies(Diorama bases, etc) and the stack of models that I am currently busy with.

One thing I have found is that I can do with an A3 workarea for assembly and painting but got a small shelf(stackable A4 Input/output trays) on the side that holds the sprues/parts that I am not working on.

For big assemblies I loan the dining/kitchen table after the family is asleep.
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Monday, December 6, 2004 6:29 AM
Christmas is right around the corner Chris, those respirators will go on sale soon... imagine the delight (and confusion) in their eyes when they open those up Christmas morn!!! Wink [;)]

I forgot to add that... when I was modeling in an apartment I used a fold up card table like Jules mentioned, so I could model near a door or window in the opposite side of the house from my ex... I just had a kitchen chopping board for cutting sprue etc...

Good luck!!
---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Dallas
Posted by KINGTHAD on Monday, December 6, 2004 12:21 PM
Chris, Hate to hear what your going thru. You can use my bench and keyboard anytime, Just stay away from my air brush.

Thad
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Lower Alabama
Posted by saltydog on Monday, December 6, 2004 8:49 PM
thanks for all the ideas guys!! Thad, come on guy............i won't hurt the airbrush.........PLEEEEEASE!!

Tom, you're halarious dude!! what a most excellent christmas gift!!LOL
Chris The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posted by zokissima on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 11:21 AM
Tough break, but hang in there and have patience.
As for acrylics, I do not think they are any less toxic to inhale than enamels, but cleanup is a breeze, and to a degree, I do feel safer using them, as I spray inside, in my basement, with an open window as my only source of air circulation.
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