FineScale Modeler unboxes new kits, drains an air compressor tank, and gets our modeling mojo back 

Great vid as usual all! One thing regarding draining your compressor tank. Tipping an oil free compressor is fine, but you never want to do that if you have a silent compressor that has oil in it. The oil could get into your air lines, and that's just a bad situation. Admittedly, tipping a silent compressor isn't really practical, since they tend to be much heavier than oil free compressors. Still, it's worth mentioning. Keep up the great work! Cheers!

I try to rotate my hobbies, ie woodworking, etc. I find when I get back to modeling that my skills return because I tend to be less critical. Perfectionism is the biggest barrier to completion. I try to remember that it is a hobby, nothing more.

Thanks for motivating me to drain my compressor. I knew how to do it, but just never took the time. Luckily my Timbertech compressor has a drain valve that just needs to be loosened to let the water drain. No need for any tools 😉.

I put together an airframe from an inexpensive old kit that will be used as a experimental painting blank. No muss, no fuss, no cockpit nor landing gear. Maybe some cursory sanding but it's really about putting together a quick subject that I'm in no way worried about turning out 'right.' That initial return to the hobby gets my mojo back every time.

Important discussion and a good one...I think all modelers go through this...I moved my workbench into my home office, built legos in-between, and that has helped tremendously. Having my workbench in the house, where my family can talk to me at any time, or get my help if they need it, is really key for me...not for everyone, but it works for me, and I model more now that I have in years. Also, I have my computer next to my desk and watch some of those things while I model...that has helped also.

When I come up to a difficult part of a build I usually make copious use of procrastination. Having a project languish for a while doesn't really get to me, as there's only one person I have to satisfy, Me, of course. My current project is a Tamiya 1/32 Corsair. I want to add the ignition wires and probably the loops joining the valve covers, and it's been my freeze point, as you say Tim, analysis paralisis. This evening I had a half an hour before dinner so I sat down and fiddled with some thin solder, got three cylinders done and looking pretty decent, so next time at the bench things will go quicker. Peck away at it, and models will get built, but don't sweat if they sit for a while. Unless it's a commission job, there's no time limit.

A very useful video, thank you. I hadn't considered the water retained in the tank until I watched this. I was surprised how much water came out. My modelling mojo is fine, by the way. I did have a fifty year hiatus from modelling until two years ago, but I'm well into it now.

As an hydraulics engineer, one of the basic safety points is to ALWAYS, ALWAYS make sure the pressure is released before cracking anything loose. Second, and you covered this well, make sure you are not in the line of fire in case you missed some pressure.

I found I was jumping from one project to another without the final touches. It was Sooooo, well known with close friends, I was given a shirt for my birthday, that said,, “ PHD, projects half done”. Now when I put the shirt on, stuff gets finished. Maybe you both need a PHD t-shirt. Also set a small reward for a completing of a task, a cup of coffee, or tea, etc., or to get an extra couple hugs from your kids etc. That helps also. Also, another saying or slogan I was once told, “Perfection is the enemy of good.” Fear of not getting something perfect, prevents us from doing something good. Also I found when I hit the wall, I get some piece of scrap, and practice on it until I get it at least good enough for me. I practice armor weathering on crappy old car kits I had., or some greeblie in the stash. Some of the best greeblies come from old VCR’s or microwaves. Cheers all.

Just the thought of croaking and thinking my stash would end up on the landfills, motivates me to finish them all 😮

I stopped model kit making a long while back when I ran into the Analysis-Paralysis. I didn’t have the skill to pull off the Vietnamese Era camouflage on an F-4, and just kept thinking about how I would tackle it before leaving the hobby and watching Demon Hunter. I’ve since returned to the hobby (thank you, COVID!) and years wiser, prevent burn-out and analysis paralysis by interleaving my kits between “Easy” and challenging builds. I know what my next kit will be ahead of an easy build - which gives my brain enough runway to think about how I can approach the next build while relaxing on the “Easy” build. It also helps a lot to have a spouse who is patient enough to listen to you and give you advice on how to uncomplicated a build. 😀

Great video again guys! Keep'em coming! Up the Irons!

Great subject ! So true it happens to all of us .. finding the time

Your bottom plug should be replaced with a valve. It’s not for draining the air out it’s for draining the moisture out of the tank to prevent corrosion.

I usually have a couple projects going on at the same time. When I get hung up on one I switch to the other. I primarily work on figures, in acrylics and in the military/historical genres where “paralysis by analysis” is almost a certainty, researching, etc. Having the needed image reference for each project readily available (printed out/books - NOT THE WEB!) I can switch between the figures without having to stop.

I like how I can drain my moisture trap on my Micromark Special compressor. It helps keep the air supply dry.

Just saw the comment in the May June Mag. I packed up all my stuff 3 years ago due to a renovation, then real life happened and covid, have not done any work since. I so miss it.

Enjoy the bloopers. Cool that you include them and aren't so serious.

In my modeling group we have had a couple of three-day challenges, which certainly helped me to get some mojo back. The idea is to see what you can accomplish in the three days, not necessarily to complete the build. These have been over holiday weekends to provide the extra day. Taking a break from highly complex and detailed kits for even a single build can really energize a person!

Watching this just now instead of modelling...but usually i just grab one of the models in progress and look where I left off and add at least 1 part or do 1 step. Next night I usually continue with it then...

I hear ya, guys. We’ve all heard of multi-tasking, and I thought that it would be a good idea to multi-task while building models, too - the thinking being that, say, while I have the airbrush out and there's a common paint color among the models, then paint that color on all of the models at the same time. Efficiencies to be had, right? WRONG. Tim hit the nail on the head: analysis paralysis. I spent so much time situating and orienting myself every time that sometimes it could be up to an hour before I actually did anything physically with a model. What a waste. The extent of my analysis paralysis finally hit me one day when I couldn't use my spray booth, so no airbrush or glue. I realized that the 747 I had been building had been languishing untouched for months because it didn't have any steps left that were in common with the other models, and I was surprised to realize that the next step was simply to apply the decals. That realization kind of hit me like an anvil. What had I been waiting for? I could easily knock off the decals in an hour or less, so I did. And then a few days later, the next step on the 747 was obvious: gloss coat. And then a few days after that, final assembly. Just like that, I was done. That’s when it dawned on me: KISS. Keep it Simple, Stupid. Don’t build more than one model at a time. If I just build one model at a time, I know EXACTLY what the next step is the next time. And the next time. And the time after that. Yes, some nights I can only get one minor thing done. But at least it’s progress. I’d rather spend one hour for a small victory than waste that hour situating myself with respect to all of my models again. This may not be the solution for everyone, but I found it extremely liberating: go down to the workbench, do the next step. Simple. Straightforward. Effective. And I have since produced way more (and better!) models one-at-a-time than I ever did trying to do them in parallel.

I limited my collection of models by setting a three point criteria that defines my collection to some limits and this keeps me from going overboard. I always had an issue with not enough time until I retired. Now I spend so much more quality time and enjoy deciding what model I will work on next. One thing I did in my years of collecting was to collect aftermarket details sets for the kits I have and stashing them in the models that they “belong” to. Now, when I open up a model, I get the “surprise” of detail sets that are mostly unavailable any more and get a thrill of having a super kit to work on. These days, with almost no hobby shops near me, I just go online to get paint and other supplies. It’s a shame not having stores to wander through but that’s the state of things today.

I have no agenda! I build as the muse takes me, I watch videos like yours, and build videos, to inspire me, so when I get opportunity, I build. But I do like Demon Slayer.

Aa fas as modeling MOJO, i mix up my subjects, as well read, sometimes even FSM magazines (if i can find them). Im into history, so modeling is extension of my interest. So im kind hip-deep into almost all the time

Always enjoy your work, everybody (including FSM). Forgive me if it's already been covered, but (judging from close-ups of Tim's fingers in a few videos), perhaps a how-to on "emergency" first aid for modelers would be in order... ;^)

The Horse Women of Brio, Legendary. I've seen their stuff at Whistle Stop Hobby in St. Clair Shores.

Hi all. First, thanks. I've been a reader/subscriber for absolutely yonks and have enjoyed it all. You have always brought out the fun in scale modelling and kept me in touch with the hobby when I had other responsibilities/costs and it was an unaffordable luxury. I have a basic tank compressor but the drain plug has an o-ring and internal vents. Loosen the drain plug a bit (leave a bit of pressure in the tank) and the water comes out through the vents and through a hole in the centre of the drain plug . Every now and again I take the plug right out to check/clean then but I just pop it up on the bench. Easy done. Compressor? The hobby still has a budget (no money tree as yet) so does it blow air consistently at a specified pressure? Yes. Done. I then used the money saved towards the cost of 0.5 / 0.3 Creos Mr Hobby airbrushes (and the rest!). My old Delta airbrush/demand compressor did sterling service though and was passed on to a financially challenged friend. As for mojo, up and down (like the Assyrian Empire), dependant on a plethora of things time, mood, family, other joys/hobbies, weather! ( 38C/100F today, 30/86 in the modelling shed,. I ❤ summer!). So, again, well done for presenting a fun, interesting and informative view of the hobby. To build what you want and be happy with your result. To strive for more if you like. Criticise yourself all you like (not too harshly) but others only if invited and then constructively. And thanks to all those who comment who try to reflect this values. Your opinion may differ or you may have alternative ideas/methods but I am pleased to see that the vast majority of commenters, from around the world, can do so without undue vehemence or vitriol. Kudos to you! Thanks to your whole team for all your work .Keep the Aussie stuff coming Aaron. I just purchased the AFV Club Centurion Mk5 Royal Australian Armoured Corps. (Actually, keep it all coming, variety is the spice of life). Cheers all, Matt 🦘🦘🦘

I build in my basement, where my washing machine is. So, when I do laundry, I can build while I am waiting for the washer and dryer to do their job. Gives me a couple hours a week to build.

Hi FSM and everyone who makes this all happen. Another reason that you drain moisture out of the compressor tank is that if you don’t drain the water out, the tank with the building up of water will hold less air. This will make your compressor turn on and off more frequently. This will cause over time to ruin the motor. Just a fun side note, I worked at a place that had a 60 gallon air compressor tank. It would turn on every 10 minutes and shut off for 5 minutes. I asked and nobody knew that you had to drain the tank. I shut it off and drained the tank. It had water coming out of it for 20 minutes. After showing management the display of the water they made sure it was drained everyday after. Just a reinforcement of what Tim is saying that you should do this on a regular basis.

Yes! Allen plug for the win...

The mojo thing is quite timely for me as I've struggled for a while now. I think there's other brain things in play, but I'm thinking part of it is my job and where I do my hobby. Early mornings do leave me a lot of time for hobby, but after a day at work I don't particularly feel like doing it. The place I have set aside for hobby doesn't have the best lighting except in the mornings and I find I just can't get comfortable for long to do it. The last thing I built was a 1/72 Sherman and that was a quick, simple build. In a way that's why I feel I've moved to gunpla over scale historical, though scale is where I'd rather be hobbying.

Not trying to "double-dip" with the comments, but my last one was so wordy that I doubt anybody stayed until the end. So, short version: I now just concentrate on one model at a time. I used to build multiple models at once, but would waste so much time just trying to figure out what the next step was among all the models. Now that I build just one model at a time, every time I sit down, the next step is clear: today is decals. The next day is clear coat. The day after final assembly. Some days it's only a few minutes worth of work because I need something to dry. But at least I moved the yardsticks instead of doing nothing.

I usually build cars and to get my mojo back, I build Snaptite kits!!! It's quick, it's cool and I can finish a kit in about 3 nights!!!

As far as the Clydesdale go, if haven't put paint them yet, i suggest a cheap kit with a horse figure included, tamiya as the old kit with german solider mounted on a hourse, second figure standing, or those variouse livestocks,etc. Practice this cheap no meaning horse figures. This is what did when i had to paint a horse figure, not easy. Good luck, im excited for your build, hope to see it

Fun video guys and gal ! Great job.

Yeah, the problem for me is finding enough time. I keep adding to my backlog (no thanks to eBay 😜), but I can't get enough stuff done. 😬

Henry Bemis: It's not fair, there was time enough at last...

Wait,it was getting a little weird for just a second and I think I saw some blushing 😂😂

I think its a drain plug not a pressure release valve. Relieve the pressure then drain

Do you need to let all the air out of the compressor after every use ? Are there any "safety" reasons to do so if yes ?

Take the "drain" plug out and install a drain valve. Every tank I own has a drain valve. If you dont have the knowledge to accomplish this task go get someone that does then "learn" how to drain an air tank properly. Bullet problem solved.

I feel that I rebuild my self-image after a dumb mistake, or worse when you lose the energy to build. Plastic modeling should be fun and also gauge your skill for the project. Save money and take small steps to improve.

What if you dont have a tank just compressor only

Warning: Sump plug can become a projectile while tank is pressurized!

Tim, horses ain't no thing. Cast a copy of one of them and practice. Thin coats of airbrushed paint, thin thin thin

I've been dying of procrasturbation as a modeler. The curve for acceptable kits and dioramas has expanded like the edge of the Universe due to Cosmic Inflation. It really sucked out the fun from the hobby for sure. It became more about winning than building.

If I could put time in a bottle, the first thing that I'd like to do is put a dent into my shelves of models....

Yeah, recently took a break. Holidays, and then being sick. But before that, frustration at poorly fitting parts and bad instructions. And putting that upper wing on a WWI aircraft, and then rigging it! Yep, needed a break, followed by something that went together quickly, and easily.

Snug, not welded for the plug.

I absolutely second @leadbullit comment . That must be a super cheap tank not to come with a drain valve . Please do your research , and not just based on the cheapest tank out there that you happen to own . What about informing the majority or users who do have a drain valve ?? Please tell them how to use it , once you learn how by research . These whole compressor instruction sets you have done still get a overall fail . I know you can do a better job of it , but for some reason your stuck and stubborn on this issue