Recently retired

[BarleyBop]

it seems like scractch building skills are now put aside

... true, the aftermarket has exploded!
I'd say that the choice to scratch build is still there, if you want to. And the materials, tools and resources for scratch building have also improved, exponentially!

 

[Glenn S]

Can not believe how much the hobby has changed since I have got back in the game. While detail included in kits is much better these days it seems like scractch building skills are now put aside and replaced with pricey add ons. Decal choices are great but also come at a pretty steep price. PC's make research so much easier. Never would have guessed the hobby would have evoved this much.

Chip,
Scratch building is still alive. I do it all the time.
Maybe we need to start a scratch building thread to motivate someone who might be sitting on the fence and wonder if it's worth the effort?
I know I get a lot of personal satisfaction from taking an old model kit and taking it to the next level through scratch building in the missing detail. Most people will never know about the extra effort, but I know.

 

[WtShark]

Welcome!
Your experiences are aligned with so many of us on this site-
I too built the Cutty Sark, it's long gone but the brass plaque you could send in to have engraved with your name is still stuck to the wall in my parent's garage, (the model went into the trash many, many years ago after I'd left home in for the US Army).
Coming back to the hobby just about a year ago, I was delighted to find all of the amazing tools and COOL stuff, making building and detailing so much easier, if not actually a bit more difficult as you tumble down the rabbit hole of details and develop skills.
I think you'll find this site is full of incredibly friendly and VERY knowledgeable folks, who are in a similar boat.
I can say, be patient, don't expect perfection- let your skills and knowledge develop and don't be too hard on yourself.
Share your builds and most importantly have a blast!

 

[TimM63]

Welcome to the madness.

 

[chip]

... true, the aftermarket has exploded!
I'd say that the choice to scratch build is still there, if you want to. And the materials, tools and resources for scratch building have also improved, exponentially!

Very true tools and materials have greatly improved.
If you build to compete in any of the contests avaiable it's almost impossible to compeat with after market add ons.

 

[Demolition]

Was spending a lot of free time falling down YouTube holes and finally decided I'm not going to waste my leisure time that way

You can do both, I set my tablet on the table with YouTube on and build my kits, 90% of the time I'm not really paying attention and it's just background noise…

 

[BarleyBop]

materials have greatly improved.

...the other consideration I came upon by accident. I came back to model building focused on WW2 NorthAfrica and Mediterranean softskin vehicles... well guess what?
The big kit makers only have so many offerings, then you have to start looking afield at smaller makers, resin kits and 3D offerings.
So I now expect to have to scratch build, just to bring many of my kits up to snuff with the details they might otherwise have had if offered by the big manufacturers!
At first I was disappointed, but now I love the challenge and satisfaction of figuring things out!

 

[plastickjunkie]

Welcome. Right now due to life things model building for me is at an idle but it will go into overdrive in the near future. I love to scratch build details specially those that pe don't get quite right. Lots of choices in detailing and building products now days. I call this hobby "therapy at the bench". I enjoy many hours of peace and tranquility while creating our vision in our miniature world.

 

[Col.Kilgore]

"therapy at the bench"

You are so right!

 

[Down Time]

Welcome!!!!!!!

 

[Murph]

Greetings from the Emerald Isle