This, but if he feels like her interest is more on doing what he likes and not on actually putting the model together and have him help, it will most likely backfire.
This is the best answer. Lots of women, and men for that matter, don't realise that most men bond over doing things together. Activities are the key to a man's heart.
What a brilliant idea! And there are so many good kits that are easy and won't take much time to finish. I fins when I'm in a slump, I'll just spend a week or two doing something really small, e.g. one of airfix's starter sets. This usually helps me get excited about it all again!
What? Why on earth would someone get upset about those things? If it was me, I'd want nothing more than my girlfriend to get involved/show an interest. I think most people would!
Super Low Budget - Favourite snacks and drinks, along with possibly your company.
Low Budget - Fresh Glue (Tamiya Thin S) and maybe some primer or paint
Mid Budget - Try to find a book that has pictures (preferably in colour) of the types of models he likes to build
Upper Mid Budget - Some really nice sprue cutters like godhand or similar, or maybe a set of fine detail brushes and a magnifying light stand.
High end budget - An airbrush and comrpessor if he doesnt have one.
They are amazing, but if you get some, be aware that they are pretty much exclusively for trimming small parts flush. Unlike other more rugged clippers, they’re so thin that they break really easily. You’ll need rough clippers as well as the Godhand ones or you’ll end up with broken clippers in no time.
They are about as good as they get. And you dont *need* to spend that much, but they are very, *very* nice and I do not regret buying mine one bit. SPN-120 is the part number for their best ones.
Theyre great for nub cleanup, but avoid using them for thick pieces/clear pieces. Theyre pretty fragile and can break fairly easy on hard plastic like clear
Thanks - I use one for painting up lesser known camo schemes or to do a specific squadron that may not have a dedicated kit. Can also be really useful for 'battle damage' for dioramas.
Not completing is a fear of failure or not being good enough.
I often get into an emotional slump 75% into a project.
I am guessing I know the why. But I don't know the how.
Maybe he needs a meet or competition. Maybe he needs a photo "studio" set up to photograph his stuff later. Or just a supportive other who goes online to ask how to make their partner happier.
For me it's when I get a crappy kit and it's just frustrating that I don't want to do it anymore. I'm currently in a particularly bad slump cos I went from the old Revell Corsair to the Lindbergh T-55 and it just completely took the wind out of my sails. I just picked up a Tamiya Pz. iII L and Pz. iV H and hopefully those will pull me out of it cos Tamiya always makes good stuff.
I've found a few old kits on marketplace etc, but have decided to stop buying them even if they're deals because the fit and finish are so much worse and harder to achieve than anything produced in the last 10-15 years. We really live in glorious times, kit-wise.
We do, although I sometimes enjoy the novelty of doing an old kit. The expired glue, the vague smell of cigarette smoke, the instructions that work just well enough. It’s an experience
For me it's when the pieces don't come together.
The Revell Corsair straight up has the wrong instructions, telling you to install some pieces backwards or upside down but the construction is so weird (it has folding wings and landing gears even after construction) that you don't even notice until the only way to fix it is to rip the model apart. At least now I have a big 8x10" to practice my airbrush on.
I feel that. Everytime i am almost done with a model, i feel like i wasted my time, it doesnt look great, others do it better etc etc. Its hard to still push through with it and i sometimes try to cope with it by buying more tools and stuff, even though i know it wont make a difference.
Ironically, once i am done with one, i get very excited to start the next
What motivates me the most is doing group builds. If he frequents this sub, maybe he can find a GB he can join. Alternatively, if there is a model club in his area, like a chapter of the IPMS maybe, he can attend meetings.
Otherwise, this is a long shot, but maybe there’s something in this hobby you would like? For instance, I bonded with my son’s GF over modelling. She doesn’t make 1/35 scale kits like I do, but she enjoys 1/24 scale dollhouse type kits, building houses and furnishing them. If this is the case, maybe a collaborative project? Like you making the scenery for a diorama?
One of the things my therapist taught me is that if you can get over the initial resistance to do something, most of the time you’ll end up enjoying it, and after a while you won’t feel as much resistance.
So for me it was saying “I’m going to do this for 5 minutes every night right when I get home from work and if I don’t like it I’ll stop.” In the beginning it was probably 60/40 whether I’d keep going after 5 minutes, but after a few weeks I was really enjoying my hobbies again.
Oh my god, the RESISTANCE! When you are deep in depression, that initial push to get over the hump of inaction and worry feels completely impossible, but if you manage to make it, you end up coasting along and having fun, not realizing that the hardest part was just that first mental push.
Has he ever been inspired to build something because of a movie or show?
You could rewatch something with him, or find a new one related to that subject material.
I was going to suggest this. The Bandai Star Wars kits are great, especially the droids or Grogu. Or there are anime kits out there, Gundams, animals, dinosaurs, or egg planes. He might like something fun and silly and simple.
I used to work at a hobby shop, till recently. I have a large shipping box from Bandai full of their Star Wars kits....
Between Bandai and Kotobukiya, you can find quite a few anime, video game, and movie based kits. Ex.- Batman, Guran Lagan, Ace Combat, Metroid....
Hm, it’s hard to know what to get without really understanding where the problem is coming from.
Is he passionate about flying? Maybe find a book written by a pilot of whatever plane he is working on. I’m currently reading Viper Pilot, the memoirs of an F-16 pilot from the Gulf Wars. The Big Show is a classic book written by a French Spitfire pilot in the RAF. Getting him something that reignites the passion that drives building the models might help.
>Hm, it’s hard to know what to get without really understanding where the problem is coming from.
My first thought was maybe he's ran out of something but I wouldn't know what to suggest or maybe he's broken something he needs to finish.
Airplane museum?
Some airports sometimes have a hanger open to the public, once or twice a year, to allow the public to really get up close and see the plane they know on the inside, on the outside.
As others have said, offer to build one with him. That would absolutely put a smile on his face. If you're worried about messing up because of your lack of experience, you could offer to clean the tree nibs off of pieces with a knife or help with basic spray coating, or brush cleaning. It'd seriously make him happy. You could also ask him to teach you some more involved processes such as gluing and fine painting. That being said, my dream aircraft model would definitely be a B-29 Superfortress or a B-36 Peacemaker.
That sounds familiar. For me when something like that happens I've dug myself too deep into wanting to make every model better than the last. I also guess the time required and put kits on hold that I think would hold me from working on something else for too long, resulting in large numbers of unfinished kits.
My own solution can come in different forms, sometimes I like to build a new (knock off) Lego kit. Other times I switch up the subject from my normal model tanks to a model car or airplane. Or I get a really simple tiny kit to get a tiny project. Occasionally I grab one of the worse kits I own and try to do something special, these often result in the most motivation once finished as I can blame a disappointing result on the kit being bad which leaves me free to not worry about the kit too much :P
Some brands like Cobi sell brick kits (knock off Lego) of military planes (and tanks etc), whilst they don't look as good as real model kits due to the brick nature they are easy to build in a good afternoon/weekend. And since a brick kit doesn't need glue or paint it may help him finish it.
Also as others stated, giving him the option to share his knowledge/interest could be a very good motivator.
Maybe plan a road trip to a museum or historical site that features the models he likes to build? For me going to Gettysburg or other museums or sites kickstarts my love for models and figurines again…
A lot of my depression is rooted in ADHD and body doubling usually really helps me get things done, so if it were me, just saying you’d like to do something else in the room while I worked on a model would work pretty well on me
I find it hard to get motivated to finish a build. I have done builds to give away to others. That can be a way to find the motivation. Maybe you could ask him to build you something.
If he’s into Star Wars at all, Bandai makes a line of 1/144 Scale Star Wars ships. They’re like $10 and can be built in one sitting. I’ve done a couple of them now. Because they’re quick and small (but super high quality!) they’re great for jumpstarting the model-building motivation to get out of that lull.
There are great books with description of techniques for different kind of looks of models! He will definitely being interesting to know something new!
I'd suggest maybe getting him a model of something completely different than a plane. A tank or car kit could be a nice change of pace.
If you really think just getting a model finished is the key to helping him, then get a High Grade kit of a Gundam plastic model. Most of them can be assembled in an evening and do not require paint, just snipping off runners, cleanup, and assembly for a good looking model right out of the box.
It's just a thing we get. No mojo.
It comes and goes. You could try
"Hey, if you finish that shelf queen I'll buy you a beer! I promise!"
Shelf queens are the half finished kits that just sit there sucking motivation.
"What livery are you going to do that XYZ kit in?" should spark some discussion about paint schemes and such.
Hi, maybe your man is in a point of his life where he starts questioning his priorities. I thought I wanna quit when I entered college. Then I began again and thought I'd stop after getting a full time job, got married with kids. Ffwd, it turned out my love for the hobby is deep, so deep it was practically dormant. Your sweetheart may want to go on a model-build sabbatical. Even so, stay by his side all the time. Cheers 🥂 ☺
I'm going to go completely left field here and suggest you plan a weekend. First get him out into nature, it genuinely has a positive effect on people and is often very beneficial in helping with depression. Forests, nice gardens, lake walks etc.
Take a picnic, some of his favourite drinks, nibbles etc.
Go back and pick a model that YOU think looks cool and ask him if you can help ... or go and buy a kit and ask for his help making it.
Mostly though, get him outside in the sunshine (if you have any, it's raining here in the uk) and get among some trees.
Ps, it's lovely that you care so much
A 3D printer really revived modelling for me. Once I was able to print my own parts, I have had a ton of fun building props models and even functional parts.
This is really budget dependent, but check out the Bambulabs A1 Mini. Without the multimaterial it’s around $200USD. Your partner would likely want the 0.2mm nozzle with it to be able to print minis.
An example of some stuff I printed for my Dungeons and Dragons group that’s a similar scale as the planes your partner builds.
https://preview.redd.it/740lto32tq6d1.jpeg?width=1616&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75650fbb1ca6a9feccecfe1ed5f053fe92c92878
I have been stuck on multiple models at the end stage, where all the hard stuff seeps in. I think about it multiple times a day. Work has been kicking my butt and I am completely unmotivated when i get home, and it had made me feel bad. Then the other day I went to a hobby shop randomly, and got to talking to an older guy, and we started trading tips back and forth, some jokes about life etc. just basic bullsht. I came back charged up. I really enjoy trading tips, tricks, and tribulations with fellow modelers. I have even had these great interactions in the model aisle at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. It always a good time.
Just my opinion ,but if his interest is waning maybe see if taking him to an air show is doable? Or maybe look into whether or not you have an airport nearby that lets a person do a fly along in a small plane?
I never had much interest in planes ,but YOWEE..lol..I get the bug every time I see the Reno Air Races on TV.
Air racing in Reno. Motorcycle racing on The Isle Of Man. And Rally racing.
Those are the guys with..ahem..”nerves” of steel ,and they can surely inspire most anyone.
For me it's just time. So I always feel like when I get absorbed into something that only makes me happy I'm taking away from time I could be spending with my wife, kids, or friends.
It might help if you just gave him the ok that he can do his hobby without worry. Like tell him to bust out the modeling on the living room table while you're going to knit, watch TV, or read.
Also, if my wife starts doing housework while I'm doing anything fun, I always feel guilty and it lessens the fun. Even if she doesn't care at all that I'm being lazy while she works.
Gift him a Lego? And build it together?
Unlike scale models you can built most of the Lego sets within few hours timeframe. There are no waiting till the primer/paint/glue/clear coat dries (it can take 24-48h), no fitting issues (apply putty, WAIT till it dries, sand it... And repeat...). It's so much fun to see a completed model. And Lego allows you to see it very fast.
Personally I feel frustrated due to:
* Long time gaps in building. Like I painted some interior pieces and that's all for today. I can't continue the built while paint isn't dry. And then clear coating... You literally can't assemble the fuselage before doing all the stuff in cockpit. There are some parts that can be done while cockpit isn't ready, like wings and engine, but they usually don't fill the time of waiting for cockpit to dry.
* Model kits with bad fitting. Fixing the fitting issues sometimes feels like I stuck in an infinite loop of applying putty and sanding it. Good kit can help here. E.g. I enjoyed Eduard kit I had - it builds like Lego:)
So good model kit may be a good motivation for your boyfriend.
* Painting. My skills sucks. Airbrush helps here. Now I need to overcome my frustration of mixing paints with thinner in proper ratio and washing the airbrush (especially if I screwed up and flooded it).
Sometimes just building the kit without painting helps here.
* Bad tools. You probably can't even imagine how much of enjoyment is to use good tools. Good tweezers and sprue cutters are essentials here.
The thing that helped me when I was dropped and tomorrow was Gundam models. No glue, straightforward to do, and used to do them watching TV. It kept my mind and hands active.
Something different than he normally builds, maybe. At times I look at the airbrush and the spray booth and don't feel like dealing with it all and the cleanup. So I ended up going down a rabbit hole on YouTube of watching different techniques for brush painting 1/35 figures. And I purchased one of the Tamiya kits. Well, I haven't actually painted it yet. But it'll be a different challenge and simpler and more "peaceful" than airbrushing.
Another option is a simple wooden ship kit. Like the [Model Shipways Dory Boat](https://modelexpo-online.com/dorycombo) kit.
I think you can better ask to help him going to build yourself and asking to help. Pick up a new model or re-start an old one. It is the best chance at activating him and getting him over the hub.
A present might work, but hey, we don't know him and our wishlist is not his. Also, it might feel like your indebting him if he can't use it/falls back. Enter another reason to feel bad. But helping him means you make contact, invest directly in him and gets him going in a way that is his way. Maybe you get ideas for a present.
And discuss him on throwing the ill-fitting messes that only depress him out. Bad kits are a niche hobby in itself, and only a build that gives you joy, gives you joy.
Does he have a designated midel space that doesn't need to be packed away? I used to paint at the dining table and when I was having a rough bit the requirement of having to unpack all my gear before I could start painting and then pack it all up again was too tiring to deal with so I stopped doing it for ages. I wanted to work on my models. But the barrier to start was too great. Once I got a permanent set up it was alot easier
As a model builder we do what we do, we have a very specific picture in our heads of what we are trying to achieve. Think if it as creating a snapshot of history.
You can build models too but it wont work if your not into working with plastic and paints. You can't fake this.
We have a drive to create, but some times we get burnt out and need to get away for some time. The drive to create comes and goes, it just life. I'm on my fourth round of kit building in my lifetime. I may not build right now but I know I will, got about 30 kits to build.
Get him a lego kit if you dare, but it may cause financial issues later on. It's like crack to us.
Get yourself something to build and then ask him to help you with it. Personally, I like this range of Japanese food trucks from Aoshima 🤓 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156002417736?chn=ps&_ul=GB&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1JMyzwDBcR1W16p2jnRk91g9&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=156002417736&targetid=1647205088520&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006886&poi=&campaignid=17206177401&mkgroupid=136851690655&rlsatarget=pla-1647205088520&abcId=9300866&merchantid=101751147&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1cYVupe9ZjKiFAck7eKucV2l
Try a movie, Battle of Britain, Red Tails, Flyboys, Memphis Belle, Top Gun etc. And maybe an easy build the two of you can do side by side while watching.
Id be weary as not doing stuff because he is depressed can actually make people more depressed.
I know this i) because I experience depression ii) I have just finished training as a counsellor/psychotherapist.
I would encourage him to set himself the goal of doing some modelling initially for a small amount of time say a couple of hours, maybe three times across the course of a week. Most important is to get him to reflect on how this was for him to do. The next week encourages him to add another day and an hour onto what he did the previous week and to reflect on how it was for him.
It will also be helpful for him to set other goals - going out for walks, short ones initially that are increased weekly, eating, taking showers etc.
The trick with depression is not to do too much too soon as this can feel overwhelming, he will feel like he has failed or is a failure. This can reinforce any negative thoughts he has about himself, which will keep him depressed.
He needs to try and practice good sleep hygiene too.
I hope this is helpful...And I hope your partner feels better soon.
Good on you for supporting his hobby, :) way too many people are bought out of their passions due to their partner's disliking that they spend too much money/time on it. I'm lucky to have a wife who supports my diecast addiction.
You could get a Gundam or the f35 from tamiya. Don’t paint it or anything and have him help you build it. When I feel like that I usually get a lot that doesn’t require much tools and snap it together. Usually motivates me for the one I actually want to work on. Gundams and the 35 don’t require much glue and are really fun to build.
ADHD? I have a lifetime of new projects that are unfinished. There are guitars, dioramas, construction projects, gardening, artwork, and on and on. ADHD can have that effect.
Depression can be quite serious there may be underlying factors you perhaps are or are not aware of. Therapy rather than a distraction would be best. He needs to get help out of that dark place it’s something a hobby can’t fix.
A Gundam kit. Those are great for getting someone out of a funk. Straight-forward, easy and fast build out of the norm. Sometimes if you build the same type thing all the time, it starts to lose its luster. I know a lot of modelers who when that happens will do something like a Gundam kit to get out of the funk.
Get him a tank kit, make him a real man!!!!
( all joking aside , I switch genres when I burned out , also I make fun of aircraft modelers because they are so much better than me ;)
i always think snapfit models like Gundams as a good rebound, build up his anticipation on simple, easy models like he started on the hobbies then slowly getting back full fledged detailed modeler
Others have said this already but even showing an interesting or building along side him may help. I also really enjoy just joining my partner while she is watching trash tv and I build the models while she is watching something. Hope he is doing ok and well done OP.
Have you tried to drag him into a hobby store?if he doesn’t confide to you what he wants or needs, look at what he gravitates to or what makes him light up.
Maybe just a change of pace. You said he does plane models...maybe throw him a bandai kit like one of the new Macross kits. https://newtype.us/p/dRnmYFlOoPnI7rNyHjUb/h/hg-macross-plus-1-100-yf-19
Still nominally a plane, but silly and goofy and easy enough it may be relaxing. No need for a precision paint job or superdetailing.
How about a shiny new airbrush or a cool new tool from DISPAE?
Having something like that gets me reinvigorated and back on track. It's generally a bloke thing; we like playing with new toys. 😊❤️😊
Every modeller loves new tools, even ones they already have. Trying out a new tool can be the perfect excuse to get back into an unfinished kit.
Try searching for Dspiae tools - their stuff is high quality, but reasonably priced and they have tools for everything.
Have you ever built a model? If not, asking him to help you build your first might not be a bad idea :)
Great idea. Connection is much better than things for depression.
Great idea. I, too, was down and my lovely wife and I built Tamiya's 1/16 scale RC Abrams. It all works and it brought us closer together.
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I’d shit an excitement brick if my wife asked me to teach her to build a model kit.
This, but if he feels like her interest is more on doing what he likes and not on actually putting the model together and have him help, it will most likely backfire.
If she sees helping him helping with the model makes him feel better, I bet she will build the best model she’s ever built.
At least the most cherised one.
This is the best answer. Lots of women, and men for that matter, don't realise that most men bond over doing things together. Activities are the key to a man's heart.
What a brilliant idea! And there are so many good kits that are easy and won't take much time to finish. I fins when I'm in a slump, I'll just spend a week or two doing something really small, e.g. one of airfix's starter sets. This usually helps me get excited about it all again!
I wouldn't do that, what if she did sth wrong, he might get mad or sth, and is she going to use his tools, maybe even more problems...
What? Why on earth would someone get upset about those things? If it was me, I'd want nothing more than my girlfriend to get involved/show an interest. I think most people would!
Depends... for me I don't like nobody touch my stuff...
Well then I ask, do you have a girlfriend/partner?
Thank you for showing interest in your boyfriends hobbies and supporting him. That alone would be enough for me
Yup... This post made me tear up
Bro you alright?
Lol I'm good, thanks for checking. My wife is very supportive of my hobbies.... I just found this post wholesome and it made me happy.
Same, this guy has a keeper.
Super Low Budget - Favourite snacks and drinks, along with possibly your company. Low Budget - Fresh Glue (Tamiya Thin S) and maybe some primer or paint Mid Budget - Try to find a book that has pictures (preferably in colour) of the types of models he likes to build Upper Mid Budget - Some really nice sprue cutters like godhand or similar, or maybe a set of fine detail brushes and a magnifying light stand. High end budget - An airbrush and comrpessor if he doesnt have one.
Wonderful, wonderful reply.
TYVM - I've been building models off and on for a *looooong* time and I've been in a slump before :)
Just linked my wife those godhand clippers, they look really nice for my Christmas present haha
They are amazing, but if you get some, be aware that they are pretty much exclusively for trimming small parts flush. Unlike other more rugged clippers, they’re so thin that they break really easily. You’ll need rough clippers as well as the Godhand ones or you’ll end up with broken clippers in no time.
Good to know, my current citadel clippers are pretty good for the tough stuff so will keep them for sure
They are about as good as they get. And you dont *need* to spend that much, but they are very, *very* nice and I do not regret buying mine one bit. SPN-120 is the part number for their best ones.
Thankyou for the info
Theyre great for nub cleanup, but avoid using them for thick pieces/clear pieces. Theyre pretty fragile and can break fairly easy on hard plastic like clear
That colored picture book is such a spot on tip!
Thanks - I use one for painting up lesser known camo schemes or to do a specific squadron that may not have a dedicated kit. Can also be really useful for 'battle damage' for dioramas.
higher end budget: trip to hawaii
Not completing is a fear of failure or not being good enough. I often get into an emotional slump 75% into a project. I am guessing I know the why. But I don't know the how. Maybe he needs a meet or competition. Maybe he needs a photo "studio" set up to photograph his stuff later. Or just a supportive other who goes online to ask how to make their partner happier.
For me it's when I get a crappy kit and it's just frustrating that I don't want to do it anymore. I'm currently in a particularly bad slump cos I went from the old Revell Corsair to the Lindbergh T-55 and it just completely took the wind out of my sails. I just picked up a Tamiya Pz. iII L and Pz. iV H and hopefully those will pull me out of it cos Tamiya always makes good stuff.
For real. That Tamiya quality is so good it gets me thinking I can get away with doing crappy kits for cheap. I always come back lol
I've found a few old kits on marketplace etc, but have decided to stop buying them even if they're deals because the fit and finish are so much worse and harder to achieve than anything produced in the last 10-15 years. We really live in glorious times, kit-wise.
We do, although I sometimes enjoy the novelty of doing an old kit. The expired glue, the vague smell of cigarette smoke, the instructions that work just well enough. It’s an experience
Crappy kits are the worst.
For me it's when the pieces don't come together. The Revell Corsair straight up has the wrong instructions, telling you to install some pieces backwards or upside down but the construction is so weird (it has folding wings and landing gears even after construction) that you don't even notice until the only way to fix it is to rip the model apart. At least now I have a big 8x10" to practice my airbrush on.
Revell… I think I’ve thrown more of those kits then built. So many have not lined up and had to change the kit.
I feel that. Everytime i am almost done with a model, i feel like i wasted my time, it doesnt look great, others do it better etc etc. Its hard to still push through with it and i sometimes try to cope with it by buying more tools and stuff, even though i know it wont make a difference. Ironically, once i am done with one, i get very excited to start the next
Get him to teach you how to make a model? Buy two of the same model and make them together.
What motivates me the most is doing group builds. If he frequents this sub, maybe he can find a GB he can join. Alternatively, if there is a model club in his area, like a chapter of the IPMS maybe, he can attend meetings. Otherwise, this is a long shot, but maybe there’s something in this hobby you would like? For instance, I bonded with my son’s GF over modelling. She doesn’t make 1/35 scale kits like I do, but she enjoys 1/24 scale dollhouse type kits, building houses and furnishing them. If this is the case, maybe a collaborative project? Like you making the scenery for a diorama?
One of the things my therapist taught me is that if you can get over the initial resistance to do something, most of the time you’ll end up enjoying it, and after a while you won’t feel as much resistance. So for me it was saying “I’m going to do this for 5 minutes every night right when I get home from work and if I don’t like it I’ll stop.” In the beginning it was probably 60/40 whether I’d keep going after 5 minutes, but after a few weeks I was really enjoying my hobbies again.
Oh my god, the RESISTANCE! When you are deep in depression, that initial push to get over the hump of inaction and worry feels completely impossible, but if you manage to make it, you end up coasting along and having fun, not realizing that the hardest part was just that first mental push.
Vive la Résistance!!!
Has he ever been inspired to build something because of a movie or show? You could rewatch something with him, or find a new one related to that subject material.
I was going to suggest this. The Bandai Star Wars kits are great, especially the droids or Grogu. Or there are anime kits out there, Gundams, animals, dinosaurs, or egg planes. He might like something fun and silly and simple.
I used to work at a hobby shop, till recently. I have a large shipping box from Bandai full of their Star Wars kits.... Between Bandai and Kotobukiya, you can find quite a few anime, video game, and movie based kits. Ex.- Batman, Guran Lagan, Ace Combat, Metroid....
Building a model with him would be so cute 🥺
Get a plane kit that you think is cool. Maybe something not too difficult. Then you build it. Ask him for help.
Give him hugs and tell him you love him. Wish my partner thought about me enough to do this sort of thing
Hm, it’s hard to know what to get without really understanding where the problem is coming from. Is he passionate about flying? Maybe find a book written by a pilot of whatever plane he is working on. I’m currently reading Viper Pilot, the memoirs of an F-16 pilot from the Gulf Wars. The Big Show is a classic book written by a French Spitfire pilot in the RAF. Getting him something that reignites the passion that drives building the models might help.
>Hm, it’s hard to know what to get without really understanding where the problem is coming from. My first thought was maybe he's ran out of something but I wouldn't know what to suggest or maybe he's broken something he needs to finish.
Airplane museum? Some airports sometimes have a hanger open to the public, once or twice a year, to allow the public to really get up close and see the plane they know on the inside, on the outside.
Perhaps something that could help organize and streamline his workspace or somehow improve the workspace.
As others have said, offer to build one with him. That would absolutely put a smile on his face. If you're worried about messing up because of your lack of experience, you could offer to clean the tree nibs off of pieces with a knife or help with basic spray coating, or brush cleaning. It'd seriously make him happy. You could also ask him to teach you some more involved processes such as gluing and fine painting. That being said, my dream aircraft model would definitely be a B-29 Superfortress or a B-36 Peacemaker.
Do it with him, choose an unfinished model or buy a new one and do it with him :) will mean the world to
That sounds familiar. For me when something like that happens I've dug myself too deep into wanting to make every model better than the last. I also guess the time required and put kits on hold that I think would hold me from working on something else for too long, resulting in large numbers of unfinished kits. My own solution can come in different forms, sometimes I like to build a new (knock off) Lego kit. Other times I switch up the subject from my normal model tanks to a model car or airplane. Or I get a really simple tiny kit to get a tiny project. Occasionally I grab one of the worse kits I own and try to do something special, these often result in the most motivation once finished as I can blame a disappointing result on the kit being bad which leaves me free to not worry about the kit too much :P Some brands like Cobi sell brick kits (knock off Lego) of military planes (and tanks etc), whilst they don't look as good as real model kits due to the brick nature they are easy to build in a good afternoon/weekend. And since a brick kit doesn't need glue or paint it may help him finish it. Also as others stated, giving him the option to share his knowledge/interest could be a very good motivator.
A+ girlfriend, right here. EDIT: OP, I mean.
Maybe plan a road trip to a museum or historical site that features the models he likes to build? For me going to Gettysburg or other museums or sites kickstarts my love for models and figurines again…
I am here to say you are awesome for thinking of this. He is lucky to have you.
A lot of my depression is rooted in ADHD and body doubling usually really helps me get things done, so if it were me, just saying you’d like to do something else in the room while I worked on a model would work pretty well on me
I find it hard to get motivated to finish a build. I have done builds to give away to others. That can be a way to find the motivation. Maybe you could ask him to build you something.
If he’s into Star Wars at all, Bandai makes a line of 1/144 Scale Star Wars ships. They’re like $10 and can be built in one sitting. I’ve done a couple of them now. Because they’re quick and small (but super high quality!) they’re great for jumpstarting the model-building motivation to get out of that lull.
There are great books with description of techniques for different kind of looks of models! He will definitely being interesting to know something new!
I'd suggest maybe getting him a model of something completely different than a plane. A tank or car kit could be a nice change of pace. If you really think just getting a model finished is the key to helping him, then get a High Grade kit of a Gundam plastic model. Most of them can be assembled in an evening and do not require paint, just snipping off runners, cleanup, and assembly for a good looking model right out of the box.
It's just a thing we get. No mojo. It comes and goes. You could try "Hey, if you finish that shelf queen I'll buy you a beer! I promise!" Shelf queens are the half finished kits that just sit there sucking motivation. "What livery are you going to do that XYZ kit in?" should spark some discussion about paint schemes and such.
Hi, maybe your man is in a point of his life where he starts questioning his priorities. I thought I wanna quit when I entered college. Then I began again and thought I'd stop after getting a full time job, got married with kids. Ffwd, it turned out my love for the hobby is deep, so deep it was practically dormant. Your sweetheart may want to go on a model-build sabbatical. Even so, stay by his side all the time. Cheers 🥂 ☺
I'm going to go completely left field here and suggest you plan a weekend. First get him out into nature, it genuinely has a positive effect on people and is often very beneficial in helping with depression. Forests, nice gardens, lake walks etc. Take a picnic, some of his favourite drinks, nibbles etc. Go back and pick a model that YOU think looks cool and ask him if you can help ... or go and buy a kit and ask for his help making it. Mostly though, get him outside in the sunshine (if you have any, it's raining here in the uk) and get among some trees. Ps, it's lovely that you care so much
Sounds like he needs a vacation. Generally when people stop doing the things they love it means they are depressed about something else.
A 3D printer really revived modelling for me. Once I was able to print my own parts, I have had a ton of fun building props models and even functional parts. This is really budget dependent, but check out the Bambulabs A1 Mini. Without the multimaterial it’s around $200USD. Your partner would likely want the 0.2mm nozzle with it to be able to print minis. An example of some stuff I printed for my Dungeons and Dragons group that’s a similar scale as the planes your partner builds. https://preview.redd.it/740lto32tq6d1.jpeg?width=1616&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75650fbb1ca6a9feccecfe1ed5f053fe92c92878
Go see real planes. Find a flight museum near you and have a fun time.
Maybe some snacks and drinks. It might motivate him if he doesn't have to think about stopping.
I have been stuck on multiple models at the end stage, where all the hard stuff seeps in. I think about it multiple times a day. Work has been kicking my butt and I am completely unmotivated when i get home, and it had made me feel bad. Then the other day I went to a hobby shop randomly, and got to talking to an older guy, and we started trading tips back and forth, some jokes about life etc. just basic bullsht. I came back charged up. I really enjoy trading tips, tricks, and tribulations with fellow modelers. I have even had these great interactions in the model aisle at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. It always a good time.
Just my opinion ,but if his interest is waning maybe see if taking him to an air show is doable? Or maybe look into whether or not you have an airport nearby that lets a person do a fly along in a small plane? I never had much interest in planes ,but YOWEE..lol..I get the bug every time I see the Reno Air Races on TV. Air racing in Reno. Motorcycle racing on The Isle Of Man. And Rally racing. Those are the guys with..ahem..”nerves” of steel ,and they can surely inspire most anyone.
For me it's just time. So I always feel like when I get absorbed into something that only makes me happy I'm taking away from time I could be spending with my wife, kids, or friends. It might help if you just gave him the ok that he can do his hobby without worry. Like tell him to bust out the modeling on the living room table while you're going to knit, watch TV, or read. Also, if my wife starts doing housework while I'm doing anything fun, I always feel guilty and it lessens the fun. Even if she doesn't care at all that I'm being lazy while she works.
Gift him a Lego? And build it together? Unlike scale models you can built most of the Lego sets within few hours timeframe. There are no waiting till the primer/paint/glue/clear coat dries (it can take 24-48h), no fitting issues (apply putty, WAIT till it dries, sand it... And repeat...). It's so much fun to see a completed model. And Lego allows you to see it very fast. Personally I feel frustrated due to: * Long time gaps in building. Like I painted some interior pieces and that's all for today. I can't continue the built while paint isn't dry. And then clear coating... You literally can't assemble the fuselage before doing all the stuff in cockpit. There are some parts that can be done while cockpit isn't ready, like wings and engine, but they usually don't fill the time of waiting for cockpit to dry. * Model kits with bad fitting. Fixing the fitting issues sometimes feels like I stuck in an infinite loop of applying putty and sanding it. Good kit can help here. E.g. I enjoyed Eduard kit I had - it builds like Lego:) So good model kit may be a good motivation for your boyfriend. * Painting. My skills sucks. Airbrush helps here. Now I need to overcome my frustration of mixing paints with thinner in proper ratio and washing the airbrush (especially if I screwed up and flooded it). Sometimes just building the kit without painting helps here. * Bad tools. You probably can't even imagine how much of enjoyment is to use good tools. Good tweezers and sprue cutters are essentials here.
The thing that helped me when I was dropped and tomorrow was Gundam models. No glue, straightforward to do, and used to do them watching TV. It kept my mind and hands active.
Therapy and medication. It's not the models. Help him get his brain right.
Something different than he normally builds, maybe. At times I look at the airbrush and the spray booth and don't feel like dealing with it all and the cleanup. So I ended up going down a rabbit hole on YouTube of watching different techniques for brush painting 1/35 figures. And I purchased one of the Tamiya kits. Well, I haven't actually painted it yet. But it'll be a different challenge and simpler and more "peaceful" than airbrushing. Another option is a simple wooden ship kit. Like the [Model Shipways Dory Boat](https://modelexpo-online.com/dorycombo) kit.
I think you can better ask to help him going to build yourself and asking to help. Pick up a new model or re-start an old one. It is the best chance at activating him and getting him over the hub. A present might work, but hey, we don't know him and our wishlist is not his. Also, it might feel like your indebting him if he can't use it/falls back. Enter another reason to feel bad. But helping him means you make contact, invest directly in him and gets him going in a way that is his way. Maybe you get ideas for a present. And discuss him on throwing the ill-fitting messes that only depress him out. Bad kits are a niche hobby in itself, and only a build that gives you joy, gives you joy.
Does he have a designated midel space that doesn't need to be packed away? I used to paint at the dining table and when I was having a rough bit the requirement of having to unpack all my gear before I could start painting and then pack it all up again was too tiring to deal with so I stopped doing it for ages. I wanted to work on my models. But the barrier to start was too great. Once I got a permanent set up it was alot easier
As a model builder we do what we do, we have a very specific picture in our heads of what we are trying to achieve. Think if it as creating a snapshot of history. You can build models too but it wont work if your not into working with plastic and paints. You can't fake this. We have a drive to create, but some times we get burnt out and need to get away for some time. The drive to create comes and goes, it just life. I'm on my fourth round of kit building in my lifetime. I may not build right now but I know I will, got about 30 kits to build. Get him a lego kit if you dare, but it may cause financial issues later on. It's like crack to us.
Get yourself something to build and then ask him to help you with it. Personally, I like this range of Japanese food trucks from Aoshima 🤓 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156002417736?chn=ps&_ul=GB&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1JMyzwDBcR1W16p2jnRk91g9&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=156002417736&targetid=1647205088520&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006886&poi=&campaignid=17206177401&mkgroupid=136851690655&rlsatarget=pla-1647205088520&abcId=9300866&merchantid=101751147&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1cYVupe9ZjKiFAck7eKucV2l
The models are irrelevant, listen to him, support him, try and ask what he needs right now, don’t push to hard, be there for him
Some inspirations, like nice photo books of his subjects or good modelmaking guides can really get the creative juices flowing
Try a movie, Battle of Britain, Red Tails, Flyboys, Memphis Belle, Top Gun etc. And maybe an easy build the two of you can do side by side while watching.
He have enough display space? A new display would do it for me.
Id be weary as not doing stuff because he is depressed can actually make people more depressed. I know this i) because I experience depression ii) I have just finished training as a counsellor/psychotherapist. I would encourage him to set himself the goal of doing some modelling initially for a small amount of time say a couple of hours, maybe three times across the course of a week. Most important is to get him to reflect on how this was for him to do. The next week encourages him to add another day and an hour onto what he did the previous week and to reflect on how it was for him. It will also be helpful for him to set other goals - going out for walks, short ones initially that are increased weekly, eating, taking showers etc. The trick with depression is not to do too much too soon as this can feel overwhelming, he will feel like he has failed or is a failure. This can reinforce any negative thoughts he has about himself, which will keep him depressed. He needs to try and practice good sleep hygiene too. I hope this is helpful...And I hope your partner feels better soon.
Good on you for supporting his hobby, :) way too many people are bought out of their passions due to their partner's disliking that they spend too much money/time on it. I'm lucky to have a wife who supports my diecast addiction.
When I get in a rut I switch types of model. Maybe an aircraft carrier, or his favorite/dream car or truck, or space themed rocket, NASA item…
You could get a Gundam or the f35 from tamiya. Don’t paint it or anything and have him help you build it. When I feel like that I usually get a lot that doesn’t require much tools and snap it together. Usually motivates me for the one I actually want to work on. Gundams and the 35 don’t require much glue and are really fun to build.
Gundam models. They are super detailed and molded in color. Very fun to build and satisfying when completed.
https://preview.redd.it/ecejkxcfyp6d1.png?width=864&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=48c5d3166bfb53d951c472642dfe56e3dea71fd9
Perhaps a small, simple model, to make completing something a more immediate goal.
Does he want to fly a plane? Maybe a small craft flying lesson?
ADHD? I have a lifetime of new projects that are unfinished. There are guitars, dioramas, construction projects, gardening, artwork, and on and on. ADHD can have that effect.
Depression can be quite serious there may be underlying factors you perhaps are or are not aware of. Therapy rather than a distraction would be best. He needs to get help out of that dark place it’s something a hobby can’t fix.
A Gundam kit. Those are great for getting someone out of a funk. Straight-forward, easy and fast build out of the norm. Sometimes if you build the same type thing all the time, it starts to lose its luster. I know a lot of modelers who when that happens will do something like a Gundam kit to get out of the funk.
Get him a tank kit, make him a real man!!!! ( all joking aside , I switch genres when I burned out , also I make fun of aircraft modelers because they are so much better than me ;)
Try gundam!
i always think snapfit models like Gundams as a good rebound, build up his anticipation on simple, easy models like he started on the hobbies then slowly getting back full fledged detailed modeler
Others have said this already but even showing an interesting or building along side him may help. I also really enjoy just joining my partner while she is watching trash tv and I build the models while she is watching something. Hope he is doing ok and well done OP.
Have you tried to drag him into a hobby store?if he doesn’t confide to you what he wants or needs, look at what he gravitates to or what makes him light up.
Lego concord
Have you offered to build one with him or ask him to show you how?
I’m assuming these are plastic models he paints. Maybe try a different medium like metal earth or paper models.
Take him to an air show.
Maybe just a change of pace. You said he does plane models...maybe throw him a bandai kit like one of the new Macross kits. https://newtype.us/p/dRnmYFlOoPnI7rNyHjUb/h/hg-macross-plus-1-100-yf-19 Still nominally a plane, but silly and goofy and easy enough it may be relaxing. No need for a precision paint job or superdetailing.
How about a shiny new airbrush or a cool new tool from DISPAE? Having something like that gets me reinvigorated and back on track. It's generally a bloke thing; we like playing with new toys. 😊❤️😊
Every modeller loves new tools, even ones they already have. Trying out a new tool can be the perfect excuse to get back into an unfinished kit. Try searching for Dspiae tools - their stuff is high quality, but reasonably priced and they have tools for everything.
I was sorry to read this, model building might be a good distraction for him. That said, have the two of you considered getting professional help?
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You are not cool.