Dreaming Big: Stupid Hobby Investments If I Won the Lottery

On one of the latest Plastic Model Mojo podcast episodes, the question was: “What hobby-oriented thing would you get if you won the lottery?” Host Dave had some thoughts on a dream tour to Europe. Host Mike thought of some interesting militaria he might buy. Guest Jim thought of something Hurricane related that would ultimately have him lose a lot, if not all of the money.

And that last one got me thinking. Now, I already have my one stupid purchase if I ever won the lottery. That would be the blaster used in the Blade Runner movie:

It sure qualifies as a stupid purchase. But every time that thing goes up for auction, it seems to double in price. So, when I do make my last model, at least my wife is headed for a nice little payday.

But the question is what I would stupidly spend on hobby wise. Well, I have some ideas for that one too. And boy, they get progressively stupider! Read on.

Kinda Stupid: Perfect Grade Scale Model Corsair

Oh yes…. anyone who knows me would probably have guessed that. Now, it’s not like there are no good quality Corsair kits on the market. The 1/32 Tamiya series being a pretty tough one to beat. I’ve built one and I have two more in the stash. They are amazing. But in my opinion, there are real gaps in the smaller scales.

So, with my newfound millions I would go out and hire a tech person to visit a museum or two to make a precise production CAD package for a tool maker. Maybe I start with a 48th version. Maybe a 72nd version. Hell, maybe both! Then I would hire someone to help me navigate the complexity of dealing with one or more companies to produce my molds and make the models for me.

And then what?

Going through all of this just to get one model seems kinda stupid. But then again, so is starting a single focus model company. Perhaps I’d just start a shopify website where anyone interested can buy a perfect grade model kit of the best fighter the world has ever seen. Maybe if there is enough interest I would apply to the government to kick in some subsidy money under a dubious cultural/artistic make work program?

Hmm.. maybe I should dial that last one back.

Definitely Stupid: HobbyDesignCAD3000 (working title)… now with AI!

A few years ago I wrote that 3D Printing needs its Windows 95 moment. For those who have forgotten how awesome the 90s were, it seemed like a lot of it changed after the introduction of that operating system. Before “Windows 95” came along, computers were not popular because they were not easy to use. People used to take community college night courses on how to use spreadsheet software and “word processors”.

After Windows 95, grandma was up late on the internet trying to close out her Euro position on the Nikkei index.

3D printers themselves are incredibly easy to use once you understand the sequence of steps to print a part. I bet that anyone who watches a 4-minute video could easily get started printing parts or entire models. Assuming, of course, that such modeler has downloaded some designs made by someone else.

Making your own parts requires CAD and the successful use of CAD software. And the CAD learning curve is plenty steep. Though I am warming up to the idea of trying.

But with my newfound millions, I can do something definitely stupid and hire some programmers to create a CAD design program specifically aimed at scale modelers. And there would be AI involved because, heaven knows, we need to get more AI in everything.

I would imagine something along the lines of a program that would ask a series of questions about what you want to design and would then work with you to get to the part you want. Maybe it could search for things like measurements and come up with preliminary designs for you both to refine. Maybe it would find similar files and rework them. Maybe it could also make recommendations to improve the part as it is being designed.

Actually, maybe this is not as stupid as I thought it would be.

God Level Stupidity: THE Modern Hobby Shop Experience

Oh yeah. Considering my complete ignorance of all things retail and managing staff, this would be some stupid thing and a surefire way for a legendary loss of money.

But here is the pitch: What if you could merge the concept of a retail space with the concept of a monthly gym/country club membership?

Let me explain.

The hobby shop would feature everything you’d expect from the LHS. All the latest models and hobby supplies. And a whole lot of that stuff at wonderful prices and gobs of everything else, blah blah blah. But that would only be part of the reason why you would visit the store.

You see, in addition to the store there would be meeting space for hobby clubs to convene. There would be actual model building space for those members who have no room or who want to build with others. And there would be a workshop to use such things as 3d printers, paint booths, and other bulky and stinky things that many of us have no room for in our ever-shrinking homes.

Want to just sit down with your friends and paw through your latest model kit or reference purchases? Well, my friend, that is what the members’ lounge is for. Feeling thirsty or hungry? No need to worry, we will have a row of vending machines not unlike what you would see in Japan.

I am thinking events, seminars, private coaching… maybe even a stash storage service for members… oooo! There may be a gold mine here!

Or… maybe it would be a glorious way to waste a whole lot of money.

What about you?

Those are my stupid hobby related ideas if I were to win millions in the lottery. But I mean, after the Blade Runner Blaster, there is only so much stupidity I could handle.

So, let’s keep this conversation going. What do you think of my ideas? What stupid hobby-related thing or things would you do?