Building Sets / Models / Etc

[Tigranes]

As one part of a multi-pronged campaign to get a PhD and not Insanity, I have decided I need another hobby.

 

I've always really wanted to make something with my hands, except I am unmistakeably horrible at doing anything of the sort. I can't draw, I can't put together IKEA chairs properly, and about the best I can do is build computers without more than an hour of sticking things where they don't belong. So that rules out painting, knitting, and several cool things with cool end products.

 

To wit: I'm wondering whether there's anything out there re. building sets or models that don't require (a) a large amount of supplementary material and (b) can be completed by challenged urbanites like myself. E.g. one of those model ships that you piece together with premade wooden parts, or something. My only requirement is that (a) I want a finished product to serve as decent looking decor to give me motivation, so, say, no Lego (though I loved Lego as a child); and (b) no airplanes, trains, cars, or any of those 'manly' models. I'm not interested in cars and the like and would find them boring, though I stand ready to be proven wrong. This does not extend, by the way, to any war-related things that predate WW1. That I would be all over.

 

Does anyone do any of that stuff? Do you know where I can buy some? What am I even looking for? I'm hoping there are some basic stuff I can get started on.

[Gorth]

Tricky challenge that one. I've done the odd miniature model built from scratch from green stuff (sort of taking Warhammer miniature conversion a step further), but it does require a lot of practise and "supplementary material". Green stuff isn't cheap. Looks better when painted too.

 

Bronze casting is probably out of the question too

 

3D Modelling? Doesn't really give you anything to put on your shelf in itself, but if you create models/sculptures you really like, you can export it in a file and have it printed out on a 3D printer (they are a bit pricey still, but get better and cheaper by the year and there are companies you pay to print it out in quality plastic).

 

Are you aiming for small stuff, large stuff, actually building something or assembling and painting/customising something? Maybe Guarddog has a spare car for you to renovate

[Tigranes]

It is tricky. I think the best would be, let's say, buy a small, fairly easy to build model that comes in parts (e.g. a ship with wooden parts) that I can build without too much tools or skill, then propping it up somewhere in the room.

 

The problem is I really am terrible at this stuff. I couldn't design a cup for you, or paint in a straight line (though I apparently had just enough skill to design/paint one of those pre-fired tupperware). So I think I need to think small. Something that already comes pre-designed, and I can put together without reaching for hand drills or painting those tiny warhammer miniatures. I guess something between 'real' models/building and Lego.

[Gorth]

Well, you can get kits for building a ship in a bottle

 

Otherwise, you probably answered your own question. Since I'm not into the whole home decoration thing, I would probably look for some kind of RC model ship or all terrain vehicle. Doesn't look very nice on a shelf though.

[Walsingham]

What about jewelry? At least you make things which you can give away as presents.

[Gfted1]

God how I loved building model aircraft during my early teens. At one point, every single fighter and bomber in the US inventory hung from my bedroom ceiling. I was kinda crap about painting them but got all the decals on.

 

Tigranes, to this day I stop in random hobby shops just for a look around. Maybe you can stop by one and something will jump out at you. I Googled "hobby shops Pennsylvania" and naturally a billion resutls came up so depending on your exact location, theres probably a store close by.

[Malcador]

Why no Lego ?

 

 

 

That'd look great on any coffee table

[Walsingham]

I bet the Imperial Navy serve Nescafe.