How much time do you spend at the model bench when building each time?

[Ulf]

I sit down and build about three half-hour sessions a day actually since I stopped working, in between I think a lot about the next step.
For late fall winter I would like to build a kit of like 24 or 48 hours.

[Bainford]

About 15 years ago I was frustrated with how little bench time I was getting. There were always chores that needed doing and I often felt I should be taking care of that first. I solved the problem by declaring Wednesday night as Model Night. My job now on every Wednesday evening is to be at the bench, allowing me to spend time there guilt free. I buy take-out on the way home so I can hit the bench as soon as I get home (though the last few years I find a pre-bench nap is required). Then five years ago our company implemented a work-from-home scheme allowing me to work from home two days a week. I do that on Thursdays so I can stay up later on the Wednesday model night, extending the session. I look forward to those Wednesday nights. Once I was doing more model work, I was getting deeper into projects which was encouraging me to find even more time at the bench like a Saturday here and there.

Sometimes I get a bunch of vacation time built up, and in the winters I will take a whole week off for the sole purpose of spending it all at the bench. I love those weeks. About ten years ago the company had a huge multi-year project during which I worked a lot of overtime. I always take vacation time instead of money as payment, and I built up a lot of vacation time. Once the project was finished I spent nine individual weeks of vacation time at the bench, spread over a two year period. Loved it!

[hedotwo]

  On 8/2/2024 at 1:03 PM, Bainford said:

(though the last few years I find a pre-bench nap is required)

 

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Part of my daily routine as well Trevor ??

[MeatMan]

Like some others I've gone to small doses of about 30 minutes multiple times a day.
My shop is starting to get confiscated for storage and I think its reducing my desire to be down there.
I did increase my time to get the Corvair done so maybe its a motivation thing.

[Tom Geiger]

I retired September 1, 2023 so it's almost been a year.

I spend a lot of time working on my eBay store, and I'm even behind on house stuff.  I haven't gotten into a regular building habit.

During Covid, I was building every day and was getting a lot done.  Then I went back to work and lost that rhythm.

I tend to be a binge builder and I need a deadline.  This spring I saw that the MidAtlantic NNL had a long roof theme so I used that as the excuse to finish my 1960 Plymouth Wagon limo.  I put in whole days and nights until I got it done the evening before (actually it was early morning before the sun came up!) of the show. 

I have a few projects on the work bench that do need to be finished up, so maybe I'll try an hour or so a day.

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi!

On average, I'd say 2 to 3 hours a day. I complete about 10-12 build a year, most scratchbuilt and with a fair level of details. I always have 2 or 3 vehicles on the bench, so no downtime when things need curing.

The joys of retirement?

CT

[Deathgoblin]

I work from home taking incoming calls, so I sit at a desk in my room for 8 hours a day.  Since I'm in there by myself all day every day, I work on kits.  Gives me something to do with my hands.

[Brandon17]

I haven’t been able to get in much bench time lately. I go months without getting any bench time. With work, taking care of my son, and racing it makes it tough to get bench time. Tonight is actually looking good for some bench time. I can’t wait to grab a beer and hit the bench! 

[PatW]

I have a cabin in the back garden, so spend 2 hours in the morning, perhaps another 2 hours in the afternoon, and if I want to finish something off an hour or so in the evening. 

[BK9300]

March of 2023 was first time back modeling in 30 odd years.  Found it easy to pass 6 - 7 hours, several days a week for first few months.  Every now and then get stalled waiting for parts - only one project on the go.  Great way to pass the time!

[iangilly]

If I'm lucky these days 2-4 hours a week.

[slusher]

  On 8/2/2024 at 1:03 PM, Bainford said:

About 15 years ago I was frustrated with how little bench time I was getting. There were always chores that needed doing and I often felt I should be taking care of that first. I solved the problem by declaring Wednesday night as Model Night. My job now on every Wednesday evening is to be at the bench, allowing me to spend time there guilt free. I buy take-out on the way home so I can hit the bench as soon as I get home (though the last few years I find a pre-bench nap is required). Then five years ago our company implemented a work-from-home scheme allowing me to work from home two days a week. I do that on Thursdays so I can stay up later on the Wednesday model night, extending the session. I look forward to those Wednesday nights. Once I was doing more model work, I was getting deeper into projects which was encouraging me to find even more time at the bench like a Saturday here and there.

Sometimes I get a bunch of vacation time built up, and in the winters I will take a whole week off for the sole purpose of spending it all at the bench. I love those weeks. About ten years ago the company had a huge multi-year project during which I worked a lot of overtime. I always take vacation time instead of money as payment, and I built up a lot of vacation time. Once the project was finished I spent nine individual weeks of vacation time at the bench, spread over a two year period. Loved it!

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This such a great idea. I’m retired and I have to discipline myself I am letting time pass by and just sitting on my backside..

[TransAmMike]

Interesting discussion...I'm also retired.  When I do get to sit at my work table its after lunch for a couple or 3 hours.  Could be 1-2 days a week or more.  As will a lot of us, airbrushing is dependent on the weather.  Mine is done in my garage and when I do get to, it usually only happens 2 days a week and again after lunch.

FWIW, that's my 2 cents?

[Dpate]

Now that me and my baby mama is back together - im able to get little more free time at the bench or as my son calls it the “Hobby lobby room”.  Between work & family, building model kits, and gaming being young @35 allows me to multitask for now.  Not sure how many hours I’ll be at the bench though it varies.  Masking alone can feel like 30 mins, but 2 hours done went by lol.  Think the longest I’ve sat at the bench has been bout 4 hours just cleaning parts, test fitting, gluing parts.   

Edited August 14, 2024 by Dpate

[Rich Chernosky]

When I owned a business, I had my workshop in the basement.  When business was slow I would sneak down to the  bench and just putter. No sense getting involved because sooner or later I would hear someone come in and have to quit. I often looked longingly at my stash and would say to myself that "someday" I am going to tear into all those.  I sold the business 3yrs ago and retired and hit the bench with a vengeance.  Often spending 10-12hr a day. I get 1-2 projects done a week and sometimes work on a few more at the same time. A recent move sowed that down but now that we are all set up and I have a better set-up I am back at it. I have slowed down only slightly to about 8-9 hours a day but I have not forgotten all those times when i was prevented from doing something I have done for the past 60yrs.  Its great to be retired and when someone asks me if I miss the store my answer is NFW.  A great discussion BTW. Thanks for starting it Carl. 

[Bullybeef]

During the summer anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour as the mood strikes, during the cold of the winter I can spend anywhere from an hour to three more times per week, it’s a great way to spend an evening while watching everything get covered in snow outside. 

Edited August 22, 2024 by Bullybeef

[slusher]

I like fall and winter nice and cool better building time for me…

[TransAmMike]

  On 8/24/2024 at 3:08 AM, slusher said:

I like fall and winter nice and cool better building time for me…

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Yeah Buddy, at least it's a lot better time for painting in my garage.