Leave well enough alone?

[rsxse240]

OK, I have discovered that I can't build anymore.  No, I haven't been disabled, lost my building supplies or work space, in fact I've got it pretty good thanks to hard work and patience.  My dilemma stems from my creativity.  I can't leave well enough alone!  I am afraid to start another build because I can't seem to finish anything.  If I open a kit for an oob build, inevitably it ends up getting details and corrections that are all consuming!  It just isn't as fun as it once was.

 

Do any of you have this issue and if so, how do you get out of it.  I REALLY want to build with the care free joy I did way back when I was a young teen.  

[SfanGoch]

I've experienced the same thing. JUST ONE MORE DETAIL and I'll be done. That one more thing turns into twenty more because I got to get it to look right. And, the project never was completed because I lost interest. My solution: If I can't see it with a casual glance from at least a foot away, nobody else will notice and it doesn't get added.

[Tom Geiger]

The thing that got me back to my roots was the 24 Hour Build on Facebook.  It's run the last weekend in January by Gary Kulchock and friends and you have 24 hours to build a model, noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday.  I have done this the past few years.  Find a kit that's not all that complex that you've always wanted to build. Make sure it's not expensive and that you have a couple of it, because that makes it expendable.    Then just have fun with it!   No need to go crazy with cleaning up the mold marks,  maybe not even prime it. Just spray and build.  Once you are thinking about building fast, and things are happening in front of you, you suddenly won't care anymore!

 

[Harry P.]

I have never gotten the "build a model as fast as you can" thing. Just doesn't make any sense to me.

My advice: Stop worrying!

It's a hobby, not your job.

Lose interest in a project? Put it away until you get the urge to work on it. Can't seem to finish a project? So what? Nobody is judging you or grading your performance. Stop worrying about stuff that isn't worth worrying about. Put the model building aside and do other things.

When the mood strikes you, build again. When you don't feel like building, don't build. But for crying out loud, don't worry about it! It's supposed to be fun, not a chore. Enjoy it when you're in the mood, forget about it when you're not.

[FordRodnKustom]

When overcomplicateditus sets in I like to do a simple box art style build, older the box the better.

[blackbeard]

x2

[rsxse240]

Thank you, I am certainly glad I am not the only person who suffers from perfectionism.  I've been saving a 64 Comet for a full detail build with the Trumpeter Falcon as a donor, but it may be time to build it free of details.  I tried building the AMT Plymouth Prowler as a flame test car but it had horrible fitment issued so before I even glued the engine halves together it went back in the box with a gorgeous "real fire"  on black paint job.   

 

I polished through a pearl white paint job on a Nissan Leopard/Infiniti M30.  It literally needs foiled and stuff the guts into the body and its done...but I will re paint it....again.   Mustangs, probably 30 of them, most started, none even remotely done.   ...just to name a few.  

 

I  just need to drop everything for a night/weekend and get into a groove, but make sure I turn on the vent fan...last time my wife came in the room and had to immediately leave due to the paint FOG because I'd been in there for 6 hours.  Lol.

[RancheroSteve]

I've been saving a 64 Comet for a full detail build with the Trumpeter Falcon as a donor, but it may be time to build it free of details.

 

Slightly off-topic, but just a word of unsolicited advice: wait for the Moebius '65 Comet and use that for a donor instead.

[mk11]

Slightly off-topic, but just a word of unsolicited advice: wait for the Moebius '65 Comet and use that for a donor instead.

absolutely agree... 

...even the '67 mustang would be better than the trumpeter falcon 

 

mike

[Art Anderson]

I like to think that model building is NOT like being 10 yrs old, and having Mom remind you that you are to clean up your plate before eating dessert, and leaving the table before finishing your supper is NOT an option ("Shades of the 1950's!"). 

Our's is a hobby where we pretty much can start something, like starting with the salad that Mom put beside my dinner plate 60+ years ago, but if I want to skip to a really fun part of the project, I can (with caveats and limitations of course!) and it can become like eating dessert first.    And, unlike dinner where the food will spoil or at least lose some of its appeal if left too long, the rest of that model project banquet will still be there when I am ready to taste the next course.

Art

[afx]

I have never gotten the "build a model as fast as you can" thing. Just doesn't make any sense to me.

My advice: Stop worrying!

It's a hobby, not your job.

Lose interest in a project? Put it away until you get the urge to work on it. Can't seem to finish a project? So what? Nobody is judging you or grading your performance. Stop worrying about stuff that isn't worth worrying about. Put the model building aside and do other things.

When the mood strikes you, build again. When you don't feel like building, don't build. But for crying out loud, don't worry about it! It's supposed to be fun, not a chore. Enjoy it when you're in the mood, forget about it when you're not.

I agree with Harry, I don't get the quicky build thing.  I enjoy adding as much detail as I can to a build even if it isn't apparent to the casual observer.   A typical build for me takes 8 months to a year. I understand this method isn't for every one. 

I have a shelf above my work bench where I keep my ongoing projects.  If I tire of the one I am working on I put it aside for awhile. I enjoy looking at them even in there semi-finished state, just like having my own 1:1 garage with projects in various states of completeness.

Edited September 10, 2015 by afx

[disabled modeler]

Ken...  Try something very easy maybe even a snap kit...yes a snap kit...they can be built into great models with very little work and if you set it as a goal to not add anything extra to it you will find the fun comes back.  I build them still and actually prefer a curbside or snap kit at times myself not all great builds have to have a ton of detail to them the trick is to set a easy goal and follow it till its done..you will find it enjoyable and relaxing to build. 

[Junkman]

^^
This.

Especially when they are as good as the new DoH Charger snap kit.
I really like those Revell schnapps fast plus kits, too. Their '57 Chevy is IMO the best of the bunch when it comes to overall shape.
Just add colour, your preferred wheels, and don't worry about true to scale throttle return springs.

[rsxse240]

Very true.  

 

Today, I woke and went to the table, opened up a snap Kenworth.  Studied it for a while, saw many things needing done to build to what my minds eye was invisioning and promptly stuffed it back away.  I guess I should go buy a couple duplicate kits and slap a few together without the pressure of ruining the only one in my stash.  Or getting some Chevy kit that I don't necessarily care about and doing a box stock build.  

 

I have an old 58 impala that was given to me by dad about 10 years ago.  I don't think I have even opened it.  I could "build it for him" 

[Foxer]

I'm surprised that most follow my building theory ... model car building is not all about finishing as many as you can in the shortest amount of time .. it's not even just finishing for me. I build model cars because I LIKE TO BUILD, not like to finish. I know what the finished car will look like, for the most part anyway , and I love the path getting there .. BUILDING. Once you finish, THEN there's nothing to do! If finishing many in a short time is the object, just buy snap kits and assemble.

[Junkman]

That's why I have hardly any finshed models. I always give them away.

[Mr Stock]

That's why I have hardly any finshed models. I always give them away.

I do this a lot, I build a model it looks as good as I can get it, I take some nice photos and then end up giving it away if one of my friends shows an interest in it. Its the building that keeps me entertained, once they are done ....what can you do with it (I dont have infinite cabinet storage unfortunately)

So best to pass it on to someone who will treasure it .

 

Edited September 10, 2015 by Mr Stock

[Jantrix]

I've experienced the same thing. JUST ONE MORE DETAIL and I'll be done. That one more thing turns into twenty more because I got to get it to look right. And, the project never was completed because I lost interest. My solution: If I can't see it with a casual glance from at least a foot away, nobody else will notice and it doesn't get added.

Same here. However at some point I realized that after a few local contests, the model is going to sit in a case for the rest of my life and no one will even see the extra work.

And as for contests, I've won a few awards, but the model hasn't won because of extra detail. Usually it's because its cleanly built and eye catching.

After that realization, I'm enjoying modeling much more. As for stalled projects, that you have lost all interest in, either part them out or sell/trade them away. An old project, sitting there on the shelf unfinished is just a source of stress, in what is supposed to be a fun hobby. I've got a local swap meet coming up, where I'll be unloading at least four dusty projects. They move on to someone elses shelf, I get to buy another kit.

[Roadrunner]

For the most part, many of my first few kits will be OOB, and curbside. Little or no engine or interior detail, no modifications to body, just a straightforward and hopefully easy model.

To take a break from the desire to go nuts on a kit, I usually select something, decide what I will not do to it, then proceed to have fun. Not everything I build needs to be detailed, and as frequently as not, I'm happy with the outcome, regardless, especially if the kit is a decent one to begin with.

[Pete J.]

Over the years I have come to realize that modeling building is just like life in microcosm.  It is not about the destination but the journey.  I know it kind of sounds corny but to me the pleasure has always been about the build and not the finished model.  Yes, it is nice to take a model to a contest and get some validation from fellow modelers, but there are still a lot more hours in the build that should be fun and pleasurable so enjoy it and don't worry about getting it done.  When it is done, the fun is over!

[unclescott58]

I've been accused of building model kits that look like promos when they are done. Other than paint and glue, I don't add much more to my models. I don't foil the trim or wire the engines. I've done both before, and even more. But, I basically enjoy just building what is in box. My model building tends to be simple and fun. Other modelers may not be impressed. But then again, I'm not trying to impress them. Sometimes the simpler the model, the better I like it. I was very happy with the level of detail with AMT's '64 Comet, right out of the box. Mine does not have the chrome trim on the side foiled out. I heard of other members of the local model car club that that was a very though kit to foil that side trim correctly and make it look good. I just gave my Comet a very nice paint job, and assembled it. I had fun building mine. And I think it looks great.

I'm in this hobby for fun and the love of cars. I'm not the best modeler. But, to the adverage, non model builder on the street my models look pretty good. And I'm happy with that.

[stavanzer]

Military Modelers suffer from the One More Detail syndrome often.

Of course IPMS judging is much tougher when judging military kits, because there is SO Much detail, and SO Many ways to go wrong.

That said, the AMS Modeler is a fixture amongst posters at most Modeling Boards that cater to Military Modelers, whether Tanks,Ship, or Airplanes.

I've seen this exact discussion on other boards. Only the names of the posters, and the subject matter of the kit, changes.

It seems to be a Universal Modeler trait.

[b-body fan]

I was feeling just that way. The group Gremlin build has been my therapy for it. I've decided to keep it simple and finish it. I think the guidelines and finish date helped me. I needed my hand forced so to speak. I have one model sitting because it needs the mirrors put on. I think maybe since building is the fun part for me I'm afraid to finish things.

[Spex84]

My suggestion: build something you are not familiar with, try a new technique, and don't sweat the small stuff.

IE. if you build race-spec euro sportscars, and now you can't do an OOB build without seeing details that need correcting all over the place...try building a model of a rusty dump truck. Or a spacecraft. Something you know less about, so you don't see (or care about) the small deficiencies.

A weathered build can be entertaining, because mistakes can be considered "happy accidents" that add character rather than causing stress.

Last summer I was starting to feel overwhelmed by the unfinished builds that were stacking up, so I took an afternoon to sit down with my stash of junk plastic, pill bottles, and scavenged bits and pieces. I decided to build some kind of sci-fi robot. I normally build 1/25 scale cars, and have not built anything space-themed since I was a kid. I'd also never tried a speed-scratchbuild.

I used a hot glue gun to quickly attach parts, and if I didn't like anything I ripped it apart. I blasted the end result with primer, and then did some basic paint detailing later.

The end result is no show-winner that's for sure...but it was fun, liberating, and so enjoyable that I'm quite fond of it and plan to make more. So all in all, a great antidote to endless research and struggling with paint, bodywork, and nitpicky details.

 

 

[XJ6]

My problem is just the opposite I have been getting inpatient to Build seems like something always comes up and gets in the way just have not had the time and it is really beginning to irk me i so much want to finish my Citroen 2CV ?

It is a Hobby not a Job so I always set my priorities straight take care of everyday importance first cannot enjoy Building if more other important things MUST Get done 

Been Busy taking care making arrangements for a much needed Vacation very time consuming  but hope to finish my Build before I go or I may have to stuff it in my suit. Case ??

intersting reading on this thread I enjoy all aspects of building to the finish line I have 65 builds in my display cases and I admire them every morning has I sit there and have my coffee has a lot to do with me just want to build every chance I get. I love this Hobby ??