Buddy Can You Spare Some Time? (#3)

[Twokidsnosleep]

Third in a series of threads exploring modelling interests, tools and equipment while learning about each other



This week is about TIME

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
2. How long is a typical session?
3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?

[Tomcat64]

Another interesting subject...

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
As with many things the answer is "it depends". If I've had a relatively decent day at work then I will grab a couple of hours in an evening to progress a project. I do normally try to get some bench time at least one day of the weekend, but have learnt to walk away if I'm not in the right mood or if things aren't going well for whatever reason - the past month is a case in point with work being manic and other stuff going on that's been a distraction so my bench time has been at a minimum.
2. How long is a typical session?
An evening session in the week will generally be limited to a couple of hours, but at the weekend it could be four to five hours.
3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
Generally if I'm in the den doing model work it's when Mrs TC is pottering around in the garden - and we're both happy with that as we know and appreciate that we have different interests and hobbies as well as our shared interests. During the winter she may also be in the den as she likes to dabble with figure painting. Bonnie-cat is rarely far from one or the other of us depending on the weather and who is closer to the food cupboard at any given time
4. Have gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
Probably but I don't remember specifics - if things are going well with a build then it's definitely easy to get engrossed and lose track of time - that's part of the appeal of the hobby right?
5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?
Hmmm... still got upwards of ten years or so before retiring unless the lottery numbers come up so not something I've put much thought into to be honest. We have many interests that keep us out and about and if we're fortunate enough to be fit & healthy enough to keep active in retirement then I still see model building as one of many interests rather than a dominating hobby. What does occur to me from time to time is even if I were to dedicate all my free time to building then I still don't think I'd be able to build everything that's in the stash - although that's not going to stop me adding to it

[BigWall]

1. What is you favorite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
It's been an odd year for me. So far, I haven't worked for half of it. Usually I'll hit the bench for an hour or two when I get home from work. While not working, I'll do a bit of work when the mood hits. Unfortunately, for a lot of this year I haven't been mentally and physically able to concentrate and do the detail work that modeling requires.

2. How long is a typical session?
Generally an hour or two but it can be less.

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
I took over the dining room table for my work area since it generally isn't used, so I'm not entirely isolated from my family.

4. Have gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
During a good modeling session time will disappear.

5. How do you foresee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?
I guess I've been kind of retired this year. I've modeled as the mood has hit.

[MrBowcat]

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?

I tend to model in the evenings after I've cooked dinner for the family, tidied up and made the kids lunches. Saturdays are reserved for airbrushing, I only like to do this when the wife is out of the house as she has asthma.

2. How long is a typical session?

Depends on my mood and how tired I am, but typically a couple of hours. Saturday spray sessions are usually longer as I need to optimise my time with painting (see reason above).

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?

My modelling bench is at the bottom of our through lounge, so typically for evening sessions the missus and/or kids are at the other end watching TV. For Saturday painting I make sure I am alone, I don't want the kids breathing lacquer fumes either. No friction, although the missus sometimes gets annoyed when I drop a small part on the floor and she has to help me find it. This is one of the reasons I put laminate flooring down this summer.

4. Have gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?

Many times. Typically during the evening when the missus has gone to bed (she starts work at 4am). I lose track of time as I'm engrossed in what I'm doing, next thing I know its the early hours.

5. How do you foresee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?

Retirement is still a good 15+ years away for me so difficult to say, I hope to still be modelling and will spread my time around my various hobbies, as I do now.

[DRUMS01]

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
I really do not have a favorite time. I would have to say my favorite time is when my wife and special needs son gives me 2 or more uninterrupted hours and I have all the tools and equipment for the step at hand. I am most relaxed when all of the daily chores and needs for Jarrod are accomplished. This is the time I could take some of "my time" without taking time away from the family.

2. How long is a typical session?
Depends on the happenings of the day and the complexity of the modeling step, but normally between 2-4 hours.

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
Sometimes I model alone and others I model with my special needs son, Jarrod. The only time any friction might occur is if I make modeling a priority over everything and responsibilities would be neglected.

4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
YES, and it normally involves either scratch building or lots of PE. Another moment that may extend a modeling moment is when I am blending paints.

5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?
I am retired now so I will go to the second half of the question. While my time is more flexible, there are still daily responsibilities (chores) that my wife and I split. Then there is Jarrod who requires 100% 24/7 care. We have some assistance from a Home Health Nurse on a fixed schedule. So basically, I schedule my modeling time in moments. These are moments when everything previously explained has been satisfied, the nurse is here with Jarrod or he is with me, and it does not take way from quality family time.

Ben

[Stokesy44]

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
Weekends for me. I have a 9-5 Monday to Friday job so I only tend to model during the week if the urge takes me.

2. How long is a typical session?
Anything up to about 4 hours depending on how the day is scheduled.

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
I live alone so Its not a factor

4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
Frequently, entirely dependent on the subject matter

5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?
Still a ways to go yet but I hope it will be similar to now. Part of a varied and relaxed existence!

[RangerNeil]

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
For me its afternoon & evenings. I find mornings the wife tends to find work to be done. Bit difficult right now as the room designated for modelling and the wifes crafting is full of boxes.....

2. How long is a typical session?
Can be anywhere for a couple of hours up to six or so. It really depends on what I am doing and how well its going. And how I feel of course.

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
Usually alone. In the old house it was the other end of the front room but here the room is upstairs. Probably it will ease things a bit as the wife never liked the smell of paint or adhesives. Doubt it will do much for her dislike of the number of kits though.....

4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
Once or twice. Usually when I am engrossed in a particularly tricky part of a build. Last time was the suspension on the BTR-60.

5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?
I am kind of retired - I was pushed into early retirement back in 2007 - shortly after which I started modelling again. Started working 4 days a week at Amazon last Nov - it cut down the time for modelling but gave me the extra cash that was needed.

[Stokesy44]

Its nice to see the family references. You've obviously found partners who see the value in the hobby to you - whist maintaining the old jokes about stash size and the geekiness of their spouses!

[digger303]

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
2. How long is a typical session?
3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?

I normally don't get started until about 8.30pm. I just find it hard to start before then I don't understand it and often want to start early the day before , but when it comes right down to it I find something else that needs doing. Once started however the time seems to fly and before long it is past the time I need to get to bed. I haven't done the thing in the early hrs of the morning though 11.30pm has been my latest night. Typically I will spend about one and a half hours.

I am cut off off from the missus as she will watch telly in the other room, but I have the door open so we can see each other as she heads off looking for a snack.

I will typically model longer than normal and start earlier when opening up a new kit.

Now retirement has me concerned on a number of fronts.
Do I continue to live where I am in the middle of the regional area with not much going on or buy a place where one can toddle off for a coffee and cake ? Perhaps even taking in a film or play occasionally or travel a bit. I have been a bit limited in that space to date and the wife keeps telling me we have to get out more and be social.
What shall I do with my time ? Modeling yes , but maybe another hobby too. Perhaps even some volunteer work. Men's shed seem to be quite popular. Decisions decisions what is sure though is I don't think my body will allow me to continue working in the farming game.

[Garion77]

Here are my answers on an another nice thread to get to know everyone !

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
I don't have per say a favorite time. Being pretty occupied I take what I can get when I have the energy for it. But I have a bit of preference for when I get up early the morning the weekends.

2. How long is a typical session?
Well, again, being pretty occupied, most of the time only an hour or an hour and half. Sometimes I'm able to say to myself ok today is a modeling day and push for all an afternoon. But it's pretty rare.

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?

Well I'm kind of isolated. We have, what I call a multi-fonctionnal room in the basement, that serves 4 purposes at the same time. It's pretty big, 30 feet by 11 or 12... So I have my corner for modeling. There's an another corner that serves as a playroom for my son. There's another corner that have ton's of books (my girlfriend is a literature teacher and I read a lot too). And finally there's a section with 3 tables for the kids that serve as crafts and paint table. And that's where I'm installed to for telework since Covid.
It does not create friction as my girlfriend is an avid reader, for her pleasure and for work. So she has to isolate herself to read. And the girls are teenagers so everyone knows what it means ! And my son, 7 years old, well he likes seeing me do it while playing or watching tv. And explain to him what I'm doing at the same time. He's the one picking the projects along the way. He loves planes as I do. I think it's because his first room was decorated with planes theme.

4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
Not having that much experience behind the belt it only happen once. The first time, was when I got a bit more active in modeling and on the forum and Scott invited me to participate in a Bomber GB. Being a subject I love and a kit at hand I decided to plunge into the experience. And one night, trying to finish in time, I sat down when I got back from work around 5 pm and left the bench at 2 AM. Having no clue it was that late.

5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?
Well, I'm still a long way from retiring... But I hope it's going to be my main activity with traveling with my girlfriend. And along the way continue with my other passion, blackjack as I play a lot.

Thanks for the thread Scott !

[Garion77]

Its nice to see the family references. You've obviously found partners who see the value in the hobby to you - whist maintaining the old jokes about stash size and the geekiness of their spouses!

hehehe that's true ! the stash is actually the only "friction" I get... because when she sees another kit she always say don't you have enough already ! so, as Digger said in another thread once (if I remember right) I started hiding them. And being in telework, and not her, now I get the mail without her seeing !

[digger303]

Its nice to see the family references. You've obviously found partners who see the value in the hobby to you - whist maintaining the old jokes about stash size and the geekiness of their spouses!

hehehe that's true ! the stash is actually the only "friction" I get... because when she sees another kit she always say don't you have enough already ! so, as Digger said in another thread once (if I remember right) I started hiding them. And being in telework, and not her, now I get the mail without her seeing !

I did and I found It lowers the stress levels all round It's funny she found one of my smaller hidy spots and I managed to convince her they had always been there, but she did look at me with a funny look in her eye... I said see look at how much dust is on them....

[Garion77]

Its nice to see the family references. You've obviously found partners who see the value in the hobby to you - whist maintaining the old jokes about stash size and the geekiness of their spouses!

hehehe that's true ! the stash is actually the only "friction" I get... because when she sees another kit she always say don't you have enough already ! so, as Digger said in another thread once (if I remember right) I started hiding them. And being in telework, and not her, now I get the mail without her seeing !

I did and I found It lowers the stress levels all round It's funny she found one of my smaller hidy spots and I managed to convince her they had always been there, but she did look at me with a funny look in her eye... I said see look at how much dust is on them....

You should have seen the eyes of mine when I got my big box of wingnut wings kits at the beginning of last week ! Let's that I got caught ! She was home being sick ! And never thought I would get them that fast ! So when she saw the models In them she reply to me : aren't those the real expensive one that you always wanted to get ?..... So I exaggerated a bit the deal I made buying them

[Twokidsnosleep]

Those are just fantastic replies everyone, really interesting reads
Word of wisdom: Never let your significant other sell your model kit stash for what you told her you paid for it
My future friction: I have a 1/32 Lancaster kit to sneak in and store somewhere next year

[aur0ra145]

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?

Weekends or the evenings. I'm most productive when I don't have a lot of work stuff going on and can focus and zone out. Most productive is when I have a build list or order to adhere to. It really helps with my work flow.

2. How long is a typical session?

1 hour is minimum. Max can be almost 8 hours. I'll usually model in bursts, so some weeks not a single session. Then sometimes it's every day for weeks straight. I have several hobbies I tend to bounce between.

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?

Usually alone. Sometimes I try to get the wife to make a model or paint. She likes it okay; but, has a short attention span. Friction occurs sometimes. Though, showing her what I'm doing or what I've accomplished tends to relieve it. Thankfully the wife loves the resin printer and thinks it's really cool.

4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?

Yes, it's usually towards the end of a build and I'm trying to get it finished.

5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?

I'm still working and I see modelling time increase when I eventually retire.

[Tomcat64]

Those are just fantastic replies everyone, really interesting reads
Word of wisdom: Never let your significant other sell your model kit stash for what you told her you paid for it
My future friction: I have a 1/32 Lancaster kit to sneak in and store somewhere next year

[digger303]

Those are just fantastic replies everyone, really interesting reads
Word of wisdom: Never let your significant other sell your model kit stash for what you told her you paid for it
My future friction: I have a 1/32 Lancaster kit to sneak in and store somewhere next year

It's box is going to be the size of a medium suitcase. You might have to start constructing a false wall in the basement....

[Twokidsnosleep]

Almost forgot to add mine

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
Early weekend mornings are mine. The morning light is flat and streaming in the S/E corner windows and things are quiet in and outside. A little light jazz or whatever music my mood is in and I can get pretty zoned into modelling and go for a couple hours straight


2. How long is a typical session?
Now realistically I don’t get many clear morning weekends like the above. Usually an hour or so after work and DDD…dinner, dog, dishes.

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
All my hobbies isolate me in one of three spaces: hobby nerd lab, workshop or garage.
As long as I do the DDD and my chores or anything asked or demanded of me, I am ok. My biggest friction is with myself fighting for various hobby projects to finish and now lately I mandated myself to work out first before any modelling.

4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?

Yes, mostly those after work sessions where you get in a roll and forget time. Why is it the mojo always peaks when you have to go to bed for work the next morning?
I did stay up really late to finish the Space shuttle launch dio, like until 3 in the morning. That was a deadline thing.

5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?

I am hoping to gain more free alone time. I have all the kits I could ever build. Just give me the time and some good health and cognition.

[Panzón]

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
I usually model during the day. Sometimes I start as soon as the coffee's ready, but if I have chores to do, I get them done in the morning, and model afterward.

2. How long is a typical session?
I usually spend all day modeling (once I get started), but I often get distracted, and will go off on a tangent of research, playing with new materials, browsing online model shops, reorganizing some aspect of m workroom, etc.

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
Alone, in my workroom off the dining room. My wife pursues her own interests during the day, so no friction, and we eat supper together, and spend the evening together.

4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
Yes. This usually happens at night before I go to bed. If I've had an idea, or want to finish something I didn't get done during the day, I sometimes do a little work in the hour before I go to bed, but occasionally, I get so engrossed in my work, I end up working well past my normal bedtime.

5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retired?
I've been retired for several years, and I didn't start building plastic models until after I retired. I pretty much have all the time I want to work on models, and a large stash of model kits and materials, but I also find that my interest is easily drawn off on tangents as I model. For example, I became interested in the possibility of lighting some of my models, so I began looking into LEDs, and ended up spending several months learning basic electronics, and building electronics kits and circuits. Recently, I was thinking about terrain for a diorama, and realized that, while I've watched many videos on modeling terrain, I had never built any myself, so once again I was diverted from the model on my bench while I played with terrain. I guess retirement has given me the time and resources to do all the modeling I want, but I haven't been able to narrow the focus of my interests, and often wander off on tangents. In fact, building plastic models was a tangent I took from painting gaming miniatures, and now I'm trying to juggle the two interests at the same time.

[NoelSmith]

I am retired, and created a purpose built secure workshop studio out of the rear half of my garage just before I did. It was being used as a junk and storage area like most people's garages anyway. Nice thing is that I can just leave what I am working on instead of having to clear up each session.
Yep! I spend a lot of my time in there after any DIY and regular chores, plus, it keeps me out from She Who Must Be Obeyed's feet during the day! Only joking. My other half is quite understanding and I don't have to sneak in kits much anymore as I bought a small lathe and milling machine and have been doing some scratch building.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I am retired, and created a purpose built secure workshop studio out of the rear half of my garage just before I did. It was being used as a junk and storage area like most people's garages anyway. Nice thing is that I can just leave what I am working on instead of having to clear up each session.
Yep! I spend a lot of my time in there after any DIY and regular chores, plus, it keeps me out from She Who Must Be Obeyed's feet during the day! Only joking. My other half is quite understanding and I don't have to sneak in kits much anymore as I bought a small lathe and milling machine and have been doing some scratch building.

Sounds like heaven
Now a 3D printer and you could make anything from scratch

[NoelSmith]

Using a 3D printer would be a useful asset as would a laser machine for cutting and etching flat materials.
The cost of either and the software to run them might be a bit prohibitive. There would probably also be a steep learning curve to master 3D software for the printer.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Using a 3D printer would be a useful asset as would a laser machine for cutting and etching flat materials.
The cost of either and the software to run them might be a bit prohibitive. There would probably also be a steep learning curve to master 3D software for the printer.

Yes, yes and yes
I am very fortunate as I have very good friends who help me out with tech
The computer/tech technology moves so fast, you can get good working generations of equipment at much less cost than the latest and newest tech

[ForeverPlasticKits]

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
Evening even the start of the night, sometimes on the afternoon.

2. How long is a typical session?
Weeks or months, due to the model difficulty

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
Isolated, as i'm single it's easy but when i'm with family they always complain about the smell of paint, glue, solvant, etc.

4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
I've no problem with our favorite hobby.

5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?
It will be my main activity once retired.

[NoelSmith]

iScott, a 3D printer and/or a laser are both wishful thinking for me. I am a bit 'old school' in having conventional milling and drilling machines and a medium sized and miniature lathe in my home workshop, and work happily with them and hand tools. Many, many years ago I was an engineering craft apprentice so used to using those types of machines.

In a previous life I programmed CNC sheet metal working machines and just before I retired I worked as an Engineering CAD CAM Technician at a local high school. I got to play with a lot of goodies there like a laser and CNC lathes, milling machines and routers.
Did some 3D CAD using a program named Pro Desktop whilst there and a 2D Design program developed by Techsoft. Shortly after I left the school got a couple of 3D printers installed. I think that Pro Desktop became unsupported by its parent company. It appeared to be used worldwide by many schools. The parent company as far as I could see tried to get Pro Engineer Wildfire into schools, but it did not seem to take off unfortunately. Peirhaps it was more difficult for schoolkids to master with limited classroom time availability.

[Donkeywalloper]

I absolutely love these Q&A's, really spot on:

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive? Because I work Monday to Friday, it always tends to fall Saturday afternoon and Sunday mornings. I am though by nature an Early Bird, and most productive very Early morning.
2. How long is a typical session? Two or Three hours max.
3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones? I always Model alone, Mrs DW dips in to M/C once a week, mostly on a Sunday morning, and she asks if I need anything from shop, as she goes for Sunday Paper. I always see her eyes perusing my domain, and can tell after all these years, her mindset is, "What the Hell do you need all this for?"
4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation? Not normally, as Clint says "Everyman should know his limits"
5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried? Can't wait for retirement, new chair and Modelling, Modelling, Modelling.
DW

[Kevthemodeller]

1. What is you favourite time to model? When are you most relaxed or productive?
Late afternoons, early evening.

2. How long is a typical session?
Anywhere between 2 - 4 hrs all depends on available time.

3. Do you model alone or isolated from family? Does modelling create friction with loved ones?
Yes but not out of out of house, I'm lucky in that I've got my own room. There's just me and the Mrs at home nowadays, I model whens she's watching her soaps etc

4. Have you gotten so focused you modelled longer than normal? What was the situation?
Often do once I get into the zone

5. How do you forsee modelling time when you retire? or how is it if you are retried?
Not sure I'll ever fully retire, just hopefully get more time