Leave well enough alone?

[Junkman]

I've been accused of building model kits that look like promos when they are done.

Accused?
Build more of them and show them here so we can have some droolage!

 

There is nothing wrong with wanting to build sophisticated and accurate models and I admire anyone who is willing and able to do it.
Enter John Teresi, who is in his own league, and Bob Steinbrunn, who can make a wingrovesque Duesenberg out of this delightfully shonky Hubley rubbish.
This is amazing stuff and has all my admiration, but I realise that it's way above my ability and what I want to do with my models. So I don't even try.

I AM NOT JUHA AHIRIO.

Where it becomes dangerous IMO is this competitive contest mentality, where everybody wants to out do each other. Have you ever considred the uselessness of such an effort?
It's right up there with the chess world championship, when it comes to wasting human intellect and time.
Daily life is struggling for survival enough, I sure don't need a hobby that's even worse, so sod that. Get over it. After you poured yourself a Pimms, sit back and just enjoy what you are doing.
Which sounds to me like I should dig up one of those Tom Daniel kits and whack it together like I'm twelve again. Just with better paint. Hopefully.
Or throw together a Holthaus resin promo-style. Now that would be terminally fun, would it not?

 

Edited September 10, 2015 by Junkman

[Matt T.]

I'm building my Revell '29 out of box, just for fun. It's great. Build for fun, and for yourself.  

[Quick GMC]

I have the same problem. I have finished one model 100% in the last 8 years. two more are like 98% minus the hood and mirrors. I have at least a dozen more started, with detail, two of which have been broken down for parts. I buy more detail parts than I have kits for and I spend more time looking at my kits and reorganizing my desk than I do building. However, lately I have been trying to calm myself and focus on one kit. It's working. I am almost done with it. If I get sick of it or start fiddling, I set it aside, but not put it away. I get something else out, work on it for a bit, then put it completely away. 

 

Always try and pick good stopping points. If you start building the engine, finish it. Start the interior? Finish it before completing something else, or at least finish a part of it completely. Finish all the primer, or finish all the paint on the interior parts, etc. finding good stopping points is important for me. 

[dartman]

I have the same problem. I have finished one model 100% in the last 8 years. two more are like 98% minus the hood and mirrors. I have at least a dozen more started, with detail, two of which have been broken down for parts. I buy more detail parts than I have kits for and I spend more time looking at my kits and reorganizing my desk than I do building. However, lately I have been trying to calm myself and focus on one kit. It's working. I am almost done with it. If I get sick of it or start fiddling, I set it aside, but not put it away. I get something else out, work on it for a bit, then put it completely away. 

 

Always try and pick good stopping points. If you start building the engine, finish it. Start the interior? Finish it before completing something else, or at least finish a part of it completely. Finish all the primer, or finish all the paint on the interior parts, etc. finding good stopping points is important for me. 

I am the same way.I have at least 6 kits 95% done but get hung up at the mirrors and door handles.I dont know how you guys do the small

trim pieces,my eyes and hands dont let me do them.

[bobthehobbyguy]

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

Harry the quickbuild Is to get back to the original mindset when we were kids. For some it helps. For some taking a  break works. Its whatever works for you.

[lordairgtar]

Very true.  

 

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" 

YES!!!! Do that!

 

[Harry P.]

Harry the quickbuild Is to get back to the original mindset when we were kids. 

But why? To what end?

To me, model building, like any activity, is about getting better at it. Progression, not regression.

I don't see any reason why I would want to go back to a level of building that I was at when I was an 8-year old. To me, if you get burned out or bored or frustrated with model building, the obvious solution is to simply put it away. Do something else. Or don't do anything. Don't worry about it. Don't try to return to your childhood... just stop doing it and do something else! If you have an interest in model building (as we all here do), eventually the urge to build will strike again... and when it does, you build! Until then, don't worry about it. Don't give it a second thought. 

Like I said, the "build a model as fast as you can" thing makes absolutely no sense to me. But that's just my opinion... you obviously think differently. But you know... different strokes...

[my66s55]

But why? To what end?

To me, model building, like any activity, is about getting better at it. Progression, not regression.

I don't see any reason why I would want to go back to a level of building that I was at when I was an 8-year old. To me, if you get burned out or bored or frustrated with model building, the obvious solution is to simply put it away. Do something else. Or don't do anything. Don't worry about it. Don't try to return to your childhood... just stop doing it and do something else! If you have an interest in model building (as we all here do), eventually the urge to build will strike again... and when it does, you build! Until then, don't worry about it. Don't give it a second thought. 

Like I said, the "build a model as fast as you can" thing makes absolutely no sense to me. But that's just my opinion... you obviously think differently. But you know... different strokes...

To each his own, Harry. To each his own.

[mike 51]

As fun as being a kid was....I far prefer being an adult, I've been one for far longer than I was a child,so I've gotten to be pretty good at it. 

my models are much better looking and far more satisfying now too.....

Edited September 12, 2015 by mike 51

[Pete J.]

But why? To what end?

To me, model building, like any activity, is about getting better at it. Progression, not regression.

I don't see any reason why I would want to go back to a level of building that I was at when I was an 8-year old. To me, if you get burned out or bored or frustrated with model building, the obvious solution is to simply put it away. Do something else. Or don't do anything. Don't worry about it. Don't try to return to your childhood... just stop doing it and do something else! If you have an interest in model building (as we all here do), eventually the urge to build will strike again... and when it does, you build! Until then, don't worry about it. Don't give it a second thought. 

Like I said, the "build a model as fast as you can" thing makes absolutely no sense to me. But that's just my opinion... you obviously think differently. But you know... different strokes...

Harry, I agree for the most part and disagree a little.  We all build to satisfy something within us.  That something varies in extremes across the spectrum.  I build for the pleasure of building.  The better and more complex it gets, the happier I am.  New skills are a reward for me.  I am a voice of one.  Others that I know, get some pleasure out of building as many as they can as quick as they can.  That has no impact on me because that is their thing.  Good for them, but I don't understand their motivation and never will.  Frankly, I don't care to understand it.  If they are happy at what they do, then great.  However if they start degrading the way I build and say theirs is best, then we have a problem.  I'm not building for them.  I also get annoyed when someone starts popping off about how "they build just for fun" as if I don't.  "Fun" is subjective and with any optional activity like modeling we all do it for fun.  Just because what makes me happy is not the same as makes someone else happy is irrelevant.  Far to often the "I build for fun" is an excuse for putting BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH on the table and then expecting people to be impressed.  Don't use that as an excuse.  I build at a this level because that is the best I can do is far preferable.  Want to get better? Fine.  Don't want to get better?  Also fine.  Just don't act like you are the only one in the room who is having fun!

[Tom Geiger]

Harry the quickbuild Is to get back to the original mindset when we were kids. For some it helps. For some taking a  break works. Its whatever works for you.

My friend Bob gets it...  

First, there is camaraderie that is a lot of fun.  It's pretty cool to be part of a project that involves over 50 modelers from across the country and Canada, many of which I've known for years both on line and in person.  In fact we have a small display of the 24 Hour models at NNL East every year.  It's fun to know that you are up at 2am working on a model and there are other people doing the same thing.  You get onto the FaceBook page at 3am to post progress and instantly get several responses!  That's just plain fun.

Second, there is the challenge.  Can you get organized enough to actually build and finish a credible model in 24 hours?  There is the strategy part of what paints and glues will dry fast enough to allow you to keep working.  What assemblies do we get built prior to painting?  Where can we get away without priming parts?  How can we create efficiencies of painting parts that will all be the same color at the same time?  And can you achieve the goal of finishing this... with progress photos... by noon on Sunday?  Or will you crash and burn? Maybe fall asleep?  There is that road rally aspect to it.

The part about "building like a sixth grader" isn't about crummy results, it's about being free to build without worry.  We all overthink our models. Here we aren't washing the parts three times and sanding with 1000 grit between primer coats. We aren't filling and sanding ejector pin marks that won't show on the finished model... And ya know... the fun part is that in the end when the model doesn't look half bad, you realize that maybe we don't have to. And it's about not procrastinating and making quick decisions... and realizing that those decisions aren't life and death... and life goes on if we're wrong or right.

Third, as people mentioned personal growth, I found that this experience actually made me a better modeler.  I find that I build more efficiently these days. I plan my builds better. I don't sweat small details that you won't see on the finished model.  I approach a model car now with a freer hand. And each year I get a fairly decent model that I wanted to build someday onto my shelf!   And the good part is that if you are mentally 'stuck' with model building, once you get started on this project that all goes away!

 

[rsxse240]

Alrighty then!  lol

 

Well I took some advice and it seems to be working.  I switched gears for a day or two, doing some real car work on my 240SX, helped the wife clear out my son's old room so SHE can begin a remodel, went to Lowe's and bought some LED shop lights (two for the garage and one for the hobby room, I'll let you know how it goes, so far I'm impressed by the lighting).

 

I had cleared my old hobby table off and broght in a new-to-me desk with drawers for more storage, so now my workspace is super clean and all my projects are stashed away neatly.  I pulled out a MRC Mercedes SL500 curbside, no detail, just a possible wheel swap.  There's only like 30 parts, so it's bound to go quickly.

 

Now, to address the topic of building them as quickly as possible, I do NOT agree with it, mostly because I can't build more than 1 model a year.  I love building, and for the most part, don't really care how long it takes to finish as long as it turns out the way I want it and usually do, because I'm so persistent.  lol

 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

 I love building, and for the most part, don't really care how long it takes to finish as long as it turns out the way I want it and usually do, because I'm so persistent. 

That pretty well sums it up for me too.

But I'll fiddle for days or weeks getting proportions and stance dialed in, then put the model away for a while to start on the (to me) more enjoyable initial creative phase of something else, or while I mull over a particularly difficult scale-engineering problem, or develop a necessary skill. I like getting details right, and I like my models to reflect correct, believable engineering and functionality of the real things. MY hobby, MY right to enjoy it as I see fit.

It would seem that there are as many subtly differing reasons and approaches to building models as there are modelers, and as long as no one tries to define, enforce  or criticize how or why anyone else enjoys the hobby, "it's all good". Fun is where each individual finds it.

Even those who build for serious competition derive pleasure from it, though competition takes the simple "fun" out of most things (in my own experience anyway), but there is a thrill that goes along with the challenge to outshine one's peers in any field that can be addictive.

Live and let live in this hobby, in life....so long as no one else is hurt.

Edited September 13, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[bobthehobbyguy]

Alrighty then!  lol

 

Well I took some advice and it seems to be working.  I switched gears for a day or two, doing some real car work on my 240SX, helped the wife clear out my son's old room so SHE can begin a remodel, went to Lowe's and bought some LED shop lights (two for the garage and one for the hobby room, I'll let you know how it goes, so far I'm impressed by the lighting).

 

I had cleared my old hobby table off and broght in a new-to-me desk with drawers for more storage, so now my workspace is super clean and all my projects are stashed away neatly.  I pulled out a MRC Mercedes SL500 curbside, no detail, just a possible wheel swap.  There's only like 30 parts, so it's bound to go quickly.

 

Now, to address the topic of building them as quickly as possible, I do NOT agree with it, mostly because I can't build more than 1 model a year.  I love building, and for the most part, don't really care how long it takes to finish as long as it turns out the way I want it and usually do, because I'm so persistent.  lol

 

 

Its whatever works for you. All of our build styles vary and so does subject matter. Its however you derive pleasure from your hobby. The only person who knows what is right for you is you.

i had one model inpired by a Rod And Custom article in the 70s. It took me 30 years to get the skills and for the right materials to get it finished. Other times Ive built a model in 3 days. Ive have enjoyed building both. Just different sides of the coin.