Bob, looking great so far, looks like you know what your doing [or real good at faking it ].
as far as 'getting it past the wife', just do like I did, " honey, it's a mid-life crisis, better it be plastic than buying a flashy sports car we can't afford and hanging out at the bar. plus, i'm home and in the other room"
that worked so well, she buys me kits on occasion, and lets me wander hobby lobby on my own [with my own basket no less]