Frustrated!! Tell me why I shouldn't abandon this kit

I can't do anything without an Optivisor or similar nowadays.... 

I'm guessing you are in your second wind, recycled teenager, senior service? 

I'm still fortunate enough not to need glasses yet, but a magnifier would definitely be the best solution to your problem, and not just for this kit but any other kits you may come across in the future. I'd say don't give up yet.

Yep, a magnifying headband is defiantly the way to go. Like Blitzwing, I don't wear glasses, but my head band was one of my best buys, its never off my head even if I am not doing small detailed pieces.

Do yourself a favor and head down to Harbor Freight and get an optivisor for under $10. I wear mine when building and is a life saver!

I "fourth" the Optivisor, but also, don't stress yourself out abuot ridiculous details that will never be seen.

I remember a DML halftrack that I built that had some under-chassis detail that LITERALLY could never be seen--it was completely blocked by chassis parts; the only way you'd see it was if you were doing a vehicle that was in disassembly or repair.

I didn't even bother doing the entire step, and never missed it.

I bought an off-brand Optivisor at Hobby Lobby with one of their omnipresent 40% off coupons. I just started wearing bifocals this past year and it helps tremendously.

I also build 1/72 armor with lots of PE, so I know what microscopic model parts are!

Pardon the 'me too' post, but on my recent return to modelling, find that about 90% of the time I am wearing my Optivisor. In the old days, it was for fine work on my HO stuff. Now it's for a lot more. I would also comment that it seems that my purchase of same all those years ago is one of the best purchases I've ever made.

I have an optional light attached to mine, and that also helps me  tremendously.

Without the Optivisor, I'm afraid I'd be out of luck with scale modeling in general.

It might seem to be a bit of a pain at first, but you get used to it.

Don't give up!

put it on the shelf queen shelf and come back to it. i had a CHALLENGER "on the shelf" for 20 years and it took a third in a local contest.  have a second "big part" kit to go to after some pe time. i find after 30 minutes i need a break. and i can't use magnifiers. my eyeball boresight is goofy and i'm right handed but left eye dominant.

Teeny parts are great for improving motor skills and sharpening your vision. And squinting a little while working on a project will give you that slightly grizzled look that the chicks really dig, like Russell Crowe...

Build it!!!!!

waynec

put it on the shelf queen shelf and come back to it. i had a CHALLENGER "on the shelf" for 20 years and it took a third in a local contest.  have a second "big part" kit to go to after some pe time. i find after 30 minutes i need a break. and i can't use magnifiers. my eyeball boresight is goofy and i'm right handed but left eye dominant.

Gentlemen, thank you kindly for the support. I think the optivisor will be a good solution. Until then, I just will take Waynec's advise and put it on the shelf. A bit of a rest for eyes will be good and in meantime I can wether/beat up some of my older models.

Cheers and thanks again

Well, I actually do it with only one eye - no kidding.

                        Can 'ya see that?

                                                                        (just couldn't resist)

I wear reading glass, which are fine for reading, but not always fine for modeling. I picked up some over the counter reading glasses, a little stronger than my current reading glasses. This has helped a lot. I also use an Optivisor and have a desk light with a magnifier on it. Also don't underestimate the need for lighting. Invest in some quality desk lighting, this helps a lot.

Fuddy Duddy

Invest in some quality desk lighting, this helps a lot.

AND an Optivisor!  Don't model much yet, but the optivisor and good lighting is essential for keep the small parts of the farm-home operational, even for chainsaw sharpening and soldering.  Ever re-build a carburetor?  Many parts can seem to be microscopic!  Another trick I learned from my mother in law, stack reading glasses!

I am very nearsighted. When I do really small detail work I take off my corrective lenses and do the work with the naked eye. I guess that is the only advantage of myopia.

Same here. Albeit I'm still very young, I am very nearsighted as well. I take my glasses off sometimes when working with small parts, but I keep wear them most of the time. It makes detail work a wee bit more challenging, but I can't find tiny parts when I drop them without wearing glasses.

Cheers, Clemens

Another vote for the optivisor. And if you wear bifocals, you might consider having your optometrist make up a pair of glasses with the close up part of the prescription only. I find those very helpful if I have to do any close up work. With bifocals, you either look done to where a book would be or you have to tilt your head way back for work on things that aren't in the lower area of you vision. Really annoying.