Seems I am not alone in this problem. I am also near-sighted and fine detail is best done with my glasses off! Other times, I find myself with a set of readers perched on the end of my nose, in front of my regular glasses, which are bifocal! It was only about 10 years ago I was able to pull this off:

This is Trumpeters 1/144th scale F-22 Raptor. (Quarter shown for proof!) All the panels are masks I cut out and airbrushed onto the plane as well as the squiggly darker markings. Also hand cut masks.

Now I can barely see it well enough to even appreciate my own work! I do all 1/72nd now but have considered moving up to 1/48th.

I was about to go work on my Stuka, but think I need a little nap....

Hey !

Just think of it this way .If we go to that great model shop ,you know where ,Wouldn't it be nice to be doing what we enjoy when we do that ! I don't worry about that Because I forwarded a lot of my unbuilts to " Wounded warriers " So I  know that my legacy to them will bring enjoyment . So weak eyes , a collapsing frame will not stop me .I will model , blind as a bat and deaf as a stone . Why because I love it !      Tanker - Builder

Don Stauffer

There are advantages to being older. I am retired, and the kids are all grown up and on  their own, so I have more time for modeling.  Of course, it also takes more time to do the same work :-(

There are advantages to being older. I am retired, and the kids are all grown up and on  their own, so I have more time for modeling.  Of course, it also takes more time to do the same work :-(

Nothing is what it seems

nmav8r

Growing old ain't for sissies

That's what my mother always says! I thought she came up with that line!

Awright Youse Guys :

  Bish , I hear ya Man . I complain about me eyes , an I just got a i/144 " Cat " and a  747 to work me wonders on . Problem wid dose is dat I can't find the AV-8-B harrier I bought in da same scale .Gees , I hope I dint sit on it ! Shoot eben da boxes is small . He! He!  Like you , I have bounced all over the place  , Because the models I want aren't available in the sizes I build in .The Harrier is for the late wife .I built my first years ago (won't say how many )  don't remember the mfgr . Either ! and she always laughed at  the " Mad Mosquito ".In it's case on the end table !

  She said with it's stance that's what it reminded her of . A Mosquito you tried to swat who came back for Revenge !                Model On ! !           Tanker - Builder

I hope I'm still building as much as I am now at 68!! There IS hope!! Good going!!!

I'm up to very good quality, very high powered readers and two opti-lites for the small stuff in 1/48. But hey, I'm 68 and still building and having fun. I do remember when I was 40, so I know my mind isn't completely gone yet. Now if I could just remember where I keep the super glue...... Getting older is not for sissies, but it does beat the only known alternative.

Tom

JOE RIX

Take heart comrades. As our sight and dexterity becomes less acute this will be our future and saving grace:

http://www.plasticmodelsworld.com/node/878

I remember watching that series, it was really interesting. In one they built a full size 2 story  house out of lego, including furniture and James may had to sleep in it for one night.

JOE RIX

We represent the Lollipop Guild. the Lollipop Guild. Oh, don't you be to frettin' none there Joe. I'm done badgering you to try 1/72. Nope, rather it's time to move on to 1/144th. You know you wanna. I must be doing things backwards. The worse my sight gets the smaller scale models I'm trying. Just recieved my 1/144 PBY Catalina and B-25PBJ a few days ago. LOL.

Take heart comrades. As our sight and dexterity becomes less acute this will be our future and saving grace:

http://www.plasticmodelsworld.com/node/878

We represent the Lollipop Guild. the Lollipop Guild. Oh, don't you be to frettin' none there Joe. I'm done badgering you to try 1/72. Nope, rather it's time to move on to 1/144th. You know you wanna. I must be doing things backwards. The worse my sight gets the smaller scale models I'm trying. Just recieved my 1/144 PBY Catalina and B-25PBJ a few days ago. LOL.

Too late......the cats out of the  bag now!! lol

falconmod

I think they do that fantastic voyage thing and shrink themselves down and work on it 1 to 1.  

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH don't tell everyone.

I wounded why my ears were burning.

Don't worry Joe, your safe with your 48 kits.

For now

I have never had to wear glasses, but when I got back into the hobby 5 years ago I did noticed I was struggling to focus on my builds, before I had never had a problem. But I found the magnifying headband a real saver. But for about a year I have noticed I now struggle to read small print, though my long vision is still pretty good. So I think its time I got some reading glasses, I just keep putting it off.

Gamera

And the other bad for modeling thing about getting old- 'hmmm I need to paint this- oh well- I'll do it after a nap...

HAH! I too am near-sighted enough I can pull my glasses off and hold stuff up for detail painting. The drawback? When I'm that close using one eye I have the depth perception of a cyclops! I'm trying to paint some guy's eyebrows and I'm either a couple of millimeters away or SMACK!

And the other bad for modeling thing about getting old- 'hmmm I need to paint this- oh well- I'll do it after a nap...'  

I'm going to run and hide and put on my aluminum foil lined hat and hope they don't notice me!!

Hahahaha! You watch. They'll catch wind of this post and post something back. LOL

I think they do that fantastic voyage thing and shrink themselves down and work on it 1 to 1.  

Its a wonder those two don't need a hubble telescope just to see after building some of the stuff they build!!

Yep your safe!!!!

Whew!  then I am ok,  cuz all mine are 1/48!

It didn't work on me because if it did I'd be stuck building 72nd scale stuff from here on out!

mustang1989

Forget that! I've got a lot of respect for him or anybody else that can pull a 72nd scale build off and make it look like 48th or even 32nd scale stuff but that aint me. Bish and Joe Rix and I have gone round and round already with that "Jedi mind trick". lol lol.

John

Forget that! I've got a lot of respect for him or anybody else that can pull a 72nd scale build off and make it look like 48th or even 32nd scale stuff but that aint me. Bish and Joe Rix and I have gone round and round already with that "Jedi mind trick". lol lol.

mustang1989

I'm 45 and my eyes started in on me 5 years ago. At first it was a "lighting problem". Now I have to use the visor to work with the 48th scale stuff that I love to build. Where there is a will there is a way though.

Then you better not let Bish do that Jedi mind trick thing on you and get you doing some of those 1/72 ones!  

I'm 45 and my eyes started in on me 5 years ago. At first it was a "lighting problem". Now I have to use the visor to work with the 48th scale stuff that I love to build. Where there is a will there is a way though.

LOL!  Yep!!!  Same here.  I find myself "depending" on them more and more.......hey, at least we can still build!  

Eagle90