How much $ do you put in a kit?

[bill w]

If I want to build something, I just do it, money kind of comes in second. In the seventies and eighties I built rc planes and that ran in the thousands. Now I build cars

and it still costs thousands. Also many of the materials and tools I buy I can use for many other projects. I like too make my models as accurate as possible, detail, detail, detail.

The only way too get accurate detail is to have the actual car, and that costs a lot of $$. I enjoy doing detail work, I don't gamble or drink and my wife dosen't mind

too much. Everyone has their amount that they spend, it's all about what makes you happy.

Bill

[Tom Geiger]

I don't add it up. I'm pretty much building from my hoard, so my expenses are mainly supplies that get used over many kits. I don't think about the money as I'm building. A model doesn't become "red" because I have a can of paint handy. I will go out and buy several shades of a color to test before I agree upon the perfect one. The other cans wind up in my collection to be used later on.

My latest builds have been pretty darn economical. The Dodge van camper was pretty much free, being built from junk parts and bass wood and Evergreen plastic I already had. There are a few kitchen items from a photo etch sheet that has to be 20 years old. I even had all the right paints, due to spending $30 on Ollie's $1 a can Duplicolor sale a few years ago.

My '34 Ford rat rod started out as a $20 kit from the 'bay. Add in one Plymouth flatty six from a $5 '41 Plymouth kit. The wheels are off an old $5 builtup, and I'm sure I had all the rest of the supplies.

My biggest expense this year so far has been two hobby store runs. I spent $50 on BMF, decal paper and Testors Metalizer spray paints in NJ. Then I spent $75 splurging on buying up every pack of Evergreen I didn't have, as well as some bass wood for stock.That number also included a new set of drill bits and a pin vise. The last set of bits lasted me 10 years. I mostly buy my kits at shows, so I never pay retail, and I've always got my eyes out for cheap kits at those events.

Edited April 14, 2013 by Tom Geiger

[dpride]

Exotic metals, mold and casting materials............ $5800.00

3D printing and freight costs................................ $2375.00

Plastrut, Evergreen and K&S stock.......................$1734.00

Chrome plating and freight costs..........................$892.00

Paints, coatings, glues..........................................$698.00

The look on your face when you see 58 more replies

for the 25th scale glue bomb than your large scale scratch built ........PRICELESS.

[IMSANUT]

Interesting question this. Since I started building kits in the mid s

60's when all were nut $2.00 a piece, I have witnessed the increase in price of new kits, and watched in horror at the silly prices some of those $2.00 kits fetch today on evilbay. Also I've seen my own buying habits change from raiding a local hobby shops scratch and dent section to spending close to $200.00 on a resin kit.

Of course what this all means is that it is up to the individual. I've amassed a stupid inventory of kits over the past 40 = years, and I am finding myself whittling down the scope to have only what I am really interested. On that count, thank heaven for evilbay......!

[Hollywood Jim]

I never add it up, I don't want to know. I'm sure it is a lot of $$$$.

If I knew how much I was going to spend before I started, I would probably not want to do the project.

.

Edited April 15, 2013 by Hollywood Jim

[ScaleDale]

I used to worry about how much cash I was blowing on resin and other aftermarket stuff for my models and then it dawned on me that I could either turn right to my shop and spend $100 on a Pro Mod Mustang or turn left to my garage and spend $100,000 on a Pro Mod Mustang.

Now I just build stuff.

Dale

[Danno]

Actually, before I even got 1/2 way through this thread, I had formulated my post in my head. Then I found two other posters who said virtually verbatim what I planned to type.

Like Bill and Harry, my answer:

I don't have any particular budget. I spend whatever it takes to produce the result I want.

[zenrat]

I don't put $ into my builds although I think I once weighted the nose of a model plane with some coins...

Arf arf

[johnbuzzed]

Like someone else posted: "It depends". I have P.E. and other aftermarket stuff that I bought last century and still haven't used up, but I do incorporate into my builds as I go. Some were purchased with a particular build in mind, some, just because they're so cool I just hadda get them. I have a good supply of styrene on hand and other material for fabricating parts so unless I have a particular application or idea in mind, I don't really need to buy any and if I do, whatever isn't used on a particular build goes into my stock. I also use a lot of parts box stuff and some fellow modelers have contributed to my parts box for certain applications; for that I will "pay it forward".

Can one calculate in the price of a kit that was on hand if one used the wheels and tires from that kit on another build?

Then, there are paints- I have some HOK jars for my airbrush that are from the mid '90's; they will be used eventually, but how could I add their cost in if I don't even remember the cost? And if I bought canned air for that airbrush- it wouldn't be used for just one build. I keep certain colors on hand at all times as I know they will be used; some cost roughly a buck for a big can and some "hobby paints" can cost over six bucks for the normal sized rattle can and three bucks for a jar. Even if I build box-stock, I might go crazy and buy all new paints for that build, which can add up. But I digress.

I honestly couldn't say I how much I spend on any one build- there are too many variables to be able to calculate.

[gluebomb]

Well the one I am working on now is Revell's 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe;

Kit $26.99

MCG P.E. kit $14.99

MCG SBF dress up kit $14.99

Detail Master Electric fan $8.99ish

Paint and Misc Items $45 or so.

But on average I spend with kit maybe $40-$50.

Edited April 15, 2013 by gluebomb

[sportandmiah]

For an out of the box build, a few bucks for paint and clear.

For a nicer build I splurge on carbon fiber decals and photo etch. On average I spend and extra $10-$20

The most money I have in one kit...my Ferrari F1-2000.

Kit $30

Carbon Fiber Templates $30

Marlboro Decals $15

Top Studio Super Detail Kit $75

So total about $150.00

I have yet to build it. Waiting until I think im ready to undertake such a build.