Take a break - build a kit!
The therapeutic benefits of kit building
Looking for a weekend project but don’t know what to create? Maybe today’s free Friday story will lend a bit of inspiration. Be well. And make. ~JRC
As an ardent crafty DIY-maker kind of guy, I like creating things from scratch. It's a source of pride for me; the fewer manufactured components, the better. But I'm not entirely homemade or no made - there is a time and place for using and assembling pre-made parts, namely kits.
Why? Kit building is a fantastic way to learn new techniques. And better still, it can be remarkably motivating. If you want to make but don't know where to start, reach for one of these step-by-step wonders and prepare to be inspired.
When I think of kits, I imagine first those injection molded scale model sets from my childhood. You're probably familiar with these - model car and plane kits where the parts come unassembled, attached to plastic frames. I spent countless hours building and tinkering with these (and still love them today).
Building scale models is an excellent way to learn more about gluing and painting. They're also fantastic for kids because they teach the importance of following instructions. Bonus: one can learn a lot about engineering and design by building these kits - they are often precise representations of actual machines.
Electronics kits are equally fun and educational. The reward with these is that you end up with a working gadget at the end. Radios, amplifiers, voltmeters - "assembly required" models are readily available for these and more. Resistors, capacitors, transistors, diodes, integrated circuits: kits teach you to use them all.
Assembling electronics kits is also the best way to learn good soldering techniques. Like many artistic skills, soldering takes practice. With kits, you grasp both how to build circuits and how to assemble them well. I've greatly improved my technique by soldering higher-end kits like those available from HeathKit.
Boy is it gratifying when you flip that switch, and the LEDs light up at the end. Granted, it stinks when an electronics project fails. The "blue smoke" wisping out of an overloaded component is never a good sign. But at least you know you did things wrong. And with a kit, there's always a chance for a do-over.
There are many other kinds of kits out there. From sewing to mold making and woodworking to welding, kits introduce new skills. If you want to learn something new but are hesitant or intimidated, start with a kit.
With a kit, you'll get the guidance needed to jump in and make. Plus, you'll learn skills that build more than just things - they build confidence. Soon you'll be off making your own DIY "whatever" with all this newfound ability.
Kits are not for newbies alone, mind you. I embrace building kits even now, despite having years of experience doing from scratch projects. I love kits because I don't have to do all the thinking to enjoy all the making.
Kits are almost like having a self-driver car. Let the kit worry about how to get there. Sit back and enjoy the ride - and simply make.
Take a break. Build a kit.
Until next time.
JRC