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how much do you spend on a model

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 12:57 PM

 Tankmaster7 wrote:
Of course, one could always whittle, eh? Smile [:)]Big Smile [:D]Wink [;)]

 

Yup! I'd venture to say that whittling is probably one of the original modelling techniques! Little mud statues...bundles of sticks...Wasn't there a recent editorial in FSM about that very subject?

~Brian
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Nowhere. (Long Island)
Posted by Tankmaster7 on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 9:14 AM
Of course, one could always whittle, eh? Smile [:)]Big Smile [:D]Wink [;)]
-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
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Monday, January 2, 2006 7:50 PM

 young old fart wrote:
Modeling is about creating & building, not buying & glueing.

I can agree with half of that statement. (The first half.)

If a modeller wants to "buy and glue," however, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. Actually, if I'm not mistaken, ALL modelling requires some degree of buying and gluing...unless you're doing FULL scratchbuilds entirely with materials found in your backyard.

Modelling is about whatever the modeller wants it to be about, nothing more, nothing less. Spend as much as you want. Build how you want. Enjoy the hobby the way you want to enjoy it.
Pretty simple! Smile [:)]

~Brian
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: White Mountains, NH
Posted by jhande on Monday, January 2, 2006 2:32 AM
Since I'm getting back into the hobby but now now with my son, I won't include the tools, equipment, customizing supplies, paints, glues, etc... Besides, I'd hate to think of the total again LOL.

I've been buying 1:24th & 1:25th scale car models mostly from our local department store for around $10.97. But now my son is looking at some tractor trailor rigs and I'm looking at some old hard to find cars on the internet, some closer to the $30.00 price range.

We haven't built any yet that are just painted and glued straight out of the box. Something is always customized on them. Now we want to get into doing dioramas, they just don't look right sitting on a shelf.

-- Jim --
"Put the pedal down & shake the ground!"

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: San Tan Valley,AZ
Posted by smokinguns3 on Sunday, January 1, 2006 12:14 AM
I guess for me it would depend on the model companey the size of the kit how much AM stuff comes with it or what i can bye sepretly and th equality of the kit i my self refuse to bye off ebay i like see and handle what iam going to buy and i dont like to wait if i cant take it home when i purchase it i wont bye itso as for amount of money id spend un like my last post now i have job if i want it bad enough ill save and if i know iam gona get it later on ill buy the AM stuff so that way i dont have to wait to build the kit waiting on parts. As for DURR thats y iam trying to get back with the Ex GF she is realy into me building models and understands that it calms me down she actualy gets mad if i dont ask her if she wants go and were not dateing anymore and she figures if the bill's are paid and you have extra cash floating around splurge.So what ever i screwd up the first  iam not gona do it again LOL the next kit iam thinking about getting is all resin 1/350 scale adams class destroyer its gona cost $170 US and comes with all the PE parts and all.
Rob I think i can I think i can
  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by DURR on Saturday, December 31, 2005 11:41 PM

i think there may be another possible cost we (i) forgot

the cost of the divorce lawyer if we spend too much on our modelsLaugh [(-D]

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 31, 2005 9:44 PM
The thing I noticed is that the more exspensive kits, dont require as many detail sets as a cheaper one, Take for example Dragons new 3 in 1 panzer IV, it has individual track links, a complete PE set, figures and even a bit of scenery. Other then a brass barrel and a bit of equipment there isnt much elese you need to make a great model. I guess you get what you pay for.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 31, 2005 10:46 AM
Well, I have in the past year totally reconstructed my kit, after 20 years of being out of the hobby. All I had left was a few brushes,  a bag of super fine rock tubbler grit. (I used way before pastel sticks/weathering powders were around) and an old Badger single action airbrush. My outlay so far is around $1500. That includes 15 models (most bought off Ebay) and a new wooden machinist toolbox (less than $100) & a double action airbrush (my first). My paint selection is way low so I really need to spend another couple of C notes on that. And I'm wasting a lot of paint learning to use acrylics instead of the enamels I used back in the day.

So if my house burned tomorrow, I'd probably be out around 2 grand.

However, I flat refuse to pay more than $25 for a kit and to spend more than $50 total on any one particular kit. I'm not interested in entering shows and not trying for show quality. And I scratchbuild instead of buying add-on & accessories. I'm working on building my own vacuform machine now.

Modeling is about creating & building, not buying & glueing.

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: San Tan Valley,AZ
Posted by smokinguns3 on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 9:43 PM
Well i just picked up a T-33 Shooting Star 1/48 for 26 bucks and just orderd the Verlinden kit for 35 from Squadron, also picked up a Nissan Skyline by Tamiya 27bucks and a A-7E Corsair II for 37 bucks and superscale decals for 7 bucks. So now that iam working the skys the limit until next paydayBig Smile [:D]
Rob I think i can I think i can
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 6:43 PM
 corvettemike wrote:

It depends on the model. For my latest project, a 32' Ford hot rod I'm building it OOB with just an aftermarket distributer kit ($5.95) and money spent for paint ($5.99). My next project is  going to be a Ferrari 360 Modena broken down like this:
Kit- $ 11.99

Carbon fiber decal- $ 8.99

Bare metal foil-$ 5.99

Total-$ 26.97

Enjoyment-pricelessClown [:o)]

A'men brother!Thumbs Up [tup]

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Los Angeles, CA
Posted by corvettemike on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 5:30 PM

It depends on the model. For my latest project, a 32' Ford hot rod I'm building it OOB with just an aftermarket distributer kit ($5.95) and money spent for paint ($5.99). My next project is  going to be a Ferrari 360 Modena broken down like this:
Kit- $ 11.99

Carbon fiber decal- $ 8.99

Bare metal foil-$ 5.99

Total-$ 26.97

Enjoyment-pricelessClown [:o)]

Rise my brothers we are blessed by steel in my sword I trust...

Arm yourselves the truth shall be revealed In my sword I trust...

Havoc Models

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 5:04 PM
Interesting threrad this, I spend a different amount on each project, depending on how much detail I want or how much I have to spend on it in the first place.
On average it would be the price of the kit plus the cost of echted parts and AM decals, anywhere between £20-£40.

Mind you, there are the odd exceptions to the rule, I plan to build a 1/48 Desert Storm RAF GR.1 Tornado. So far, heres the shopping list:

kit-£10.00
decals-£7.00
PE-£5.00
Resin-£30.00
Masks-£1.50
Paints-£5.00
Base-£5.00

So far I'm in for £63.50! I hope this one turns out to be a good one!

Darren.
Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Monday, November 21, 2005 10:16 PM
I have to agree with what everybody else has said, its hard to say, but I generally build ootb, so it is a little easier to figure for me. My SuperHornet kit was around $60 from my LHS. I bought a F-18 Walk Around book, that was $15, and paint, that is probably $10 at most! I have car kits that cost me $10 and thats it, I use the paint I already have unless it is a special kit or it needs a special color that I don't have or don't have anything close.

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 29, 2005 11:46 AM
Hhhmm, my latest project:

* KIT: 1/48 Academy Su-27 UB: € 37.50
* RESIN: L&M resin nose cone: € 2.50
* PE: Eduard detail set: € 9.95
* DECALS: Hi-Line decals: € 10
----------------------------------------------------------
* TOTAL: € 59.95

This is the first time I use PE and resin.
Usually I just scratchbuild or build OOB

Cheers,

Jürgen
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Dundee, Scotland.
Posted by Sasarchiver on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 5:08 PM
Average spending on a model, ie model and the paints and other accessories, £35 ($70)...but we pay more for stuff is this robbing country.

recent one was 1/400 uss enterprise with paints /thinners etc, cost about £90 ($180).....

sasarchiver
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Monday, October 24, 2005 10:31 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by 207xx3ssmitty

It varies. Sometimes it is just the kit, the paint, and the after market decals. While others may get very intensive. I build in many areas; armor, aircraft, ships, auto, and sci fi. I'm getting ready to do a model of the 66 Mustang my brother and I had when we lived in Alaska. Hardtop, white, blue interior, with a factory installed 302. The kit cost 12.00,but did not have the engine options. So hunted down mustang kits until I found what I needed. Second kit 8.95. Paint and primer about 15.00. A trip to J-----n's Fabrics in the crafts section for different thicknesses of felt for carpeting and rear window decking, a thin square of black latex for floor mats and blue for the trunk floor 10.00. A match for the Cragar wheels ran about 23.00 Wiring and plumbing under the hood will come from the garage. I found tires in my spare tire bucket that match our photographs of the car. So approx. 70.00 to build my 66 Mustang.


But that's not building a model but recreating a memory! Approve [^]

So long folks!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 24, 2005 10:29 PM
Durr-were you not wearing your modeling cup??
  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by DURR on Monday, October 24, 2005 10:26 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by trowlfazz

Yes Bill, booze and broads (pardon me, female forum members) are costly-in more ways than one. Plus, I have never had a model kick me in the groin.



i never got kicked there but i dropped my razor tool there once ouch
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 24, 2005 8:39 PM
It varies. Sometimes it is just the kit, the paint, and the after market decals. While others may get very intensive. I build in many areas; armor, aircraft, ships, auto, and sci fi. I'm getting ready to do a model of the 66 Mustang my brother and I had when we lived in Alaska. Hardtop, white, blue interior, with a factory installed 302. The kit cost 12.00,but did not have the engine options. So hunted down mustang kits until I found what I needed. Second kit 8.95. Paint and primer about 15.00. A trip to J-----n's Fabrics in the crafts section for different thicknesses of felt for carpeting and rear window decking, a thin square of black latex for floor mats and blue for the trunk floor 10.00. A match for the Cragar wheels ran about 23.00 Wiring and plumbing under the hood will come from the garage. I found tires in my spare tire bucket that match our photographs of the car. So approx. 70.00 to build my 66 Mustang.
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: West Virginia, USA
Posted by mfsob on Sunday, October 23, 2005 9:03 PM
Wellllllllllllllllllllll, I spend until the model is done - i.e., on the shelf or given away. Because there ALWAYS seems to be one ... more ... thing ... Banged Head [banghead]
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Clovis, Calif
Posted by rebelreenactor on Sunday, October 23, 2005 8:55 PM
Well my spending depends.

$20 kit, like and old tamiya or italeri, I may treat my self to some PE or/and resin.
$30 kit, usually oob.
$40 and up kit OOB.

I spent about $90 on my tamiya tiger project and I dont think I will spend that much again. Way too much for me.

this is a general thing. I have yet to use PE, I have bought some for cheap kits, but I havent built anything yet.
John
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Sunday, October 23, 2005 6:01 PM
Razordws, I think you mean scared, don't you? Then again, maybe you did mean scarred. You know your wife the best...Big Smile [:D]

So long folks!

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Vernon, BC, Canada
Posted by razordws on Sunday, October 23, 2005 4:50 PM
qmiester I think I would definitely be in the scarred out of my wits category if I did as you suggested. $20 here and there adds up pretty quick to a lot fo $$$$$ when one doesn't think about it.

Overall I'd have to say that I'm on the conservative side as I generally stick to 1/72 scale but I've spent as much as $100 on some models and as little as $15 on others (not including paints and other materials that get used from model to model). I am currently working on a 1/700 scale Essex (the old Hasegawa kit) that I bought fo $12 and I bought a PE set for it on sale for $10. That kit has kept me going for a long time, lots of tiny pieces, so if I used Bgrigg's formula It's probably more like $0.10/hr. Pretty cheap for a hobby I'd say.

Dave

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: returning to the FSM forum after a hiatus
Posted by jinithith2 on Sunday, October 23, 2005 4:22 PM
Oh, BTW, that baby in your sig box is the only one that I think is cute!Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: returning to the FSM forum after a hiatus
Posted by jinithith2 on Sunday, October 23, 2005 4:20 PM
Average kit= $25-30
Scratch building materials= $3 at most (so far...)
AM $0 - I scratchbuild!(I'm gonna order a ton PRETTY DARN soon for my M-36 Jackson though...)
Xtra Paints=$10
total= $43 at most.
I have my own math tutoring job now, so I can spend more money on models now! YAY!
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: I'm here physically, but not mentally.....
Posted by MontanaCowboy on Sunday, October 23, 2005 1:09 PM
My upcoming project

Academy Tiger I early w/interior Free
Paint Let's say 13 bottles at $2.30 a bottle $30
Resin Engine and Transmission $53
Tiger I early breech Jordi Rubio barrel and brake $15
MG34, AA mount, canvas, ring ammo bag, ammo belt mount $16
Fu2 and Fu5 radios PE $14


Grand total------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $128


I expect to get over $100 in B-day money on Nov 1st and I put the Mayback engine at the top of my list. so I'm looking at spending $10
"You know, Life is like a Rollercoaster. Sometimes you just die unexpectedly." No wait, that's not it.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 23, 2005 12:33 PM
Yes Bill, booze and broads (pardon me, female forum members) are costly-in more ways than one. Plus, I have never had a model kick me in the groin.
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Sunday, October 23, 2005 11:47 AM
I'm still pretty new at the modeling game. I started basically from scratch in late April of this year, and so far I've easily invested over $1000 in models, paints and supplies, spraybooths, and airbrushes. There are now few paint colors I don't have, so now I only have to replace them. I'm pretty well stocked up on tools (I don't do a lot of PE, so no special tools for that. Yet.), have a bunch of kits to build in the stash so I probably won't be spending any more money this year. Well, maybe the odd jar of paint!

I expect to spend maybe $500-600 per year on new kits and replacement supplies. If I spend an average of 1 hour per day (365 hrs per year) at $600 that is only $1.64/hr. That's little more than 7 hours per week, which is probably too little. I figure it's closer to 10 hours per week, or $1.15/hr. That's cheap! Even if I doubled the budget, it's only $2.30/hr.

The average green fee around here is $65. Figure 5 hours to play the round, that's $13/hr, and doesn't include any beer, hot dogs, lunch, dinner, or payoffs on bets that usually happen.

As qmiester's wife says "At least I know where he is and the money isn't being spent on booze and broads". Big Smile [:D]

So long folks!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 23, 2005 10:37 AM
Too much, I would say! Although you can entertain or aggravate yourself for a month for a mere $30.00.
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