Model kits are for people of all ages and abilities. Your age does not necessarily determine your level. It all depends on how far you’re willing to go to master the different levels. In order to become a master, you’ll need to know the different skill levels in model building and the requirements. Some are more detailed and complicated than others, and going in prepared is always better.
Model Building Purpose
Model building can be a hobby and a career. Regardless of the reason behind your involvement, a certain level of seriousness goes into the task. Still, choosing the hobbyist route holds a lot of weight. Taking on a hobby is beneficial for several reasons.
Hobbies can help people who suffer from stress, low moods, and depression. They do not necessarily need to be activities you do out of the house, and you don’t have to do social or interactive hobbies. Choose something that brings you joy and places your mind in a peaceful state. People who build models as a hobby can consider it their passion, and therefore, they take it seriously.
The same goes for people who go the career route. These roles hold a little more weight because the model might represent a large-scale project. Other people will rely on the dimensions and accuracy of the model to replicate it in real life.
Model building requires attention to detail, so this career path is reserved for the advanced and expert levels. Naturally, you’ll need to start at the beginner level before making this a career, but with each improvement, you’ll learn just how fascinating model building is!
Skill Level Zero
A lot of newbies in the model-building world are under the impression that the beginner level starts at one, but that is not true. The beginner level is at zero, and this should not deter or intimidate anyone. It only makes sense to start at zero when you’re new to a hobby. After all, you have no knowledge of how to proceed.
Children don’t start school in first grade. They need to attend preschool and then kindergarten. Consider these to be zero levels as well. Children need to learn the basics, and the same goes for model building! Some model kits will start at one, but others recognize the beginner level at zero.
For example, if you choose to build model rockets, the skill level zero won’t require much to assemble the pieces. Children under age 12 will need an adult to supervise the process. These kits will come with all the necessary pieces, but it won’t take more than one to two people to construct. Soon, you or your child will be looking for a new challenge. Mastering this level won’t be difficult.
Skill Level One
Level one has some beginner elements, and it opens you to the intermediate stage. You can learn how pieces go together at level one, but you aren’t part of the manufacturing process all too much. There’s no designing or gluing during this phase. Most of the pieces come snap-ready, and you’ll be done in no time!
Take a lazy Saturday afternoon to work at this level and finish quickly. There might be some sanding, cutting, and painting involved, but there’s also a chance these tasks are completed for you.
You’ll get your hands a little dirtier during this level, and this is where patience and detail get introduced. It’s not the true test just yet, but students and hobbyists will start to analyze how they can make their models unique and study how the different parts work together.
Skill Level Two
Naturally, skill level two is more advanced. Gluing and painting are required at this level, so it’s reserved for those over the age of 12. The fun really begins at this level, and creativity starts to appear!
Level two includes many pieces, so it requires more attention to detail. Some would consider this level to be advanced. Kits can range from about 80 to 100 pieces, and every piece counts. If something isn’t working, we don’t advise you to throw it away. Manufacturers designed the pieces to be unique to the model.
Take a step back and assess the situation. Perhaps a previous piece did not go in correctly, and now it’s halting the progress of the assembly. Because glue and paint are involved, taking apart the pieces and starting over can get messy. Follow the directions closely to avoid this problem.
Skill Level Three
Skill level three is a second-tier crafter. These models require more time to paint and build than the previous levels. Once you’ve reached this level, you can consider yourself an expert in the field. Try to fully grasp and master level two before moving up the skill ladder.
There are even more pieces involved than in the previous level. The painting and assembly instructions get more complicated, so it will take more than a few hours to fully assemble a level three model. It might take a day or two.
Never rush the process at this level; something is bound to go wrong if you do. At this level, you’ll start to put your models in motion, and malfunctions could potentially destroy your entire model.
Skill Levels Four and Five
At levels four and five, you’re a master! At this point, you’ll have more to do with the manufacturing aspect. You start to work with the engine to change and determine the speed and ability of your model. You also have more to do with the model’s aerodynamics.
You’re no longer focused on only putting the details on the outside; you can also focus your efforts on the inside. Because levels four and five models require more work, expect to dedicate several hours or days to completing the model. Some projects might even take a week to complete because everything needs to be precise.
At these levels, you start to see really cool designs and models. At AC Supply, we have Estes beginner rocket kits and advanced models. We make sure to cover all the levels, so you’ll have your chance to advance your model-building skills.
We know the different skill levels in model building, and we’ve got the tools to back them up. For more information, visit our website.
