Scale Aviation Modelers of Muscatine

Gathering Supplies

Jul 20, 2000

The first part of any hobby is getting all the stuff you need to participate in said hobby.Sure,I know what you are thinking.It would be great fun to dive blindly into things without any clear idea of a goal in mind,but wake up!This is your hobby,for corn's sake,not your job!This is going to be fun!And,unlike at work,the results WILL matter!
The first thing,and probably the most important,is a decent workspace.If you have a basement or spare room you can have to yourself,grab it!If,like myself,you have to share every available square foot of your dwelling with other beings,just find a nice,quiet corner,preferably near a window(more on that later).
You will also need a table,desk,or some other surface to work upon.I really encourage the whole spare room thing,and am quite jealous of those of you who have this.Now,if you have your space,go ahead and set your work surface up.Go ahead,I'll wait......a little more to the left....good!!
Next you will need good lighting.A simple desk lamp can and will work(that is what I must use),but much better would be the flourescent lamps available.The bigger,the better.I kind of like the desk lamp in that I can aim it pretty much where I wish.Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to have both.Hey,I guess my little old desk lamp isn't so crappy after all!
A nice chair is something I find important,as well.I use a pretty nice office chair the wife found at a yard sale for a couple bucks.(You should save your money for kit and tool purchases anyway!)My fat behind needs something like that,but perhaps yours can get away with a kitchen or dining room chair borrowed when your wife or mother(or both)is not looking.For that matter,a pilfered milkcrate will probably do,if you don't mind walking around with the telltale waffle pattern on your butt and legs all night!
If you wish,you may also want to grab a T.V. or radio.I find it helpful to forget about the task at hand for a few moments on occasion.This is especially true during moments of frustration.Hey,nobody said everything was going to be roses,and unfortunately,frustration can and will rear it's ugly head!But we are taught to overcome!We will prevail!We will complete this kit!Oooh...sorry!..waaaaay off on a tirade there...flashbacks to kits of yore.....At any rate,thus concludes this chapter of this wonderful,new "weblication".The next article will deal more with getting the tools you need.I know you don't want to miss that!I must go to work now.You know...that place where results don't matter!Until next time,happy modeling!!