A Modellers Guide for Beginners

This article is designed for those wishing to enter the world of minature model making, and contemplating the ever present problems associated with lack of work area and storage space, in the modern home. I hope it is of some use to you and offers you the incentive to take the first steps and enter this most pleasurable and creative hobby .

Jan

  Below 7mm Cottage Guest House

AS the season fades on another whirlwind of events and shows, now is the time to take out that unmade kit, repair the hole in the roof of the workshop, and settle down to some serious modelling.

There has never been such a vast array of ready to run, kits or raw materials available from which we can create our favourite diorama , building or vehicle.

Whatever your preference, the world of miniature is open to everyone and with a little practise and the right reference material , will manifest itself as the most satisfying and enjoyable pass time that can be imagined.

Perhaps the greatest fear of all is failure. Quite easy to be brain bashed when you see examples of the finest hand built locos and scenery which you can “walk through.” Yet one must remember that the craftsman who built these beautiful items of workmanship did not start yesterday. Their expertise has been gained from many years of practise and I am sure they have experienced many moments when things have not gone to plan.

Once the bug has bitten the first question asked is “Where exactly am I going to do this?”

  It is often said (frequently by those in skirts) that there is little or no room in the home for us modellers. It is true that an indoor workshop is a luxury which many of us do not have, and a well insulated garden shed is often not feasible because they are normally full of useless items such as the grass cutter and hedge trimmers. Both of which is liable to bring on a serious case of immobility.

So what are our options? Moving your partner into the shed will often induce serious reprisals so perhaps we can discus some compromises which will satisfy both our needs and placate even the most ardent of homemakers who will never appreciate the intricacies and joys of our wonderful hobby.

Under the stairs

Many modern houses these days have a quite spacious cupboard built literarily under the stairs. Here one could fit a small bench or old fashioned kitchen table perhaps. Something in the region of 3ft six inches by two feet is perfect. Often you can pick up the old type kitchen cabinet, with draws, an upper cupboard and a drop down work surface. These are perfect but you will need at least six feet head room. Remember to use as much wall space as you can for storing the multitude of bits and bobs you will gather and need for your modelling requirements. A six gang electric extension cable will be fine as there are no loading problems for the equipment you are likely to need. And it is doubtful if you would ever need to have everything running at once.

A selection of plastic see through boxes with lids are invaluable and can be found in “pound” shops under the label of CD storage. Draw tidies normally used for cutlery are a boon and keeps the “essential” toolkit on the work bench in one place.

My 50 year old kitchen table

still going strong as a work bench.

  01633 760 384

  07762906834