Build journal anyone?

[Fanof69]

Just wondering if anyone keeps a log or journal of your past builds? I only have a few built so far so I thought this would be a good time to start one now. So I was wondering what you keep track of. Year, Model, Kit maker , color and brand of paint etc Thoughts and or comments?.

[Greg Pugh]

I do. I write down the kit manufacturer, kit number, what color I painted it, what modifications I made to it, where I sourced the aftermarket or kitbashed parts, etc. It has proven to be a very valuable resource for me and I look through it often if there's something I have a question on or whatnot.

[dragcarz]

Yes I do also. I actually have two notebooks. One for inventory, where I list the kit by manufacturer,the kit number, what I paid for it and where it was purchased. The second notebook lists the built models, the date I completed it and a list of modifications, parts other than kit supplied and the paint used. This notebook also has projects I want to build, ideas, parts needed ,decals ect. and notes or references and sometimes photos or pictures. These books go most places with me because you never know when inspiration will strike.

[Nova-ss]

I should but don't.I wanted a app or software application to do as you all are talking about..good idea..Chris 

[Roadrunner]

I never even considered it.

[espo]

Sounds like that could be a good idea. 

[MeatMan]

I just keep an electronic file of my work since I've only been back into it a couple of years.  Call it a photo journal.

[Harry P.]

I never even considered it.

Same here. What exactly does that accomplish? I mean, it's fine if you are the type who likes to keep meticulous records and such... it obviously doesn't hurt anything if that's your thing, but I don't see any reason to do it.

[Nacho Z]

I tend to make notes on the kit instructions.  If I use a different color or my own mixture, I will write the name of the paint by the part.  Not always, just sometimes.  On easy, less complicated builds, I do not keep any type of journal.  However, I have done one detailed, commissioned build and I kept a journal with the date, time spent and notes of what was done.  I am in the process of building the battleship Bismarck, (1:350), with wooden decks and two massive PE/resin/brass detail sets.  I am keeping track of all of the things listed above.  It is purely to keep an accurate track of how much time I've spent on this project.

[DrKerry]

I don't on past projects but I keep one for ideas for future ones.....

[cobraman]

I record what I do as I am building as reference for when I post but toss that list once that is done.

[peter31a]

I could certainly see the value especially if your model gets picked for photography at a show. It would be handy to add detail to your entry form especially paint used and mods and aftermarket info.

[Russell C]

For a quite a while, I tracked just how long it took me to build my projects. I'd write down the start time for each work session, the basic work done (panel sanding, engine work, etc) and the end time. When I declared the project finished, I tallied up the time. The 911 woody wagon in my avatar, for example, took 130½ hours. This is helpful if a person feels like either insuring such things or if a non-modeler pleads with me to build an exact replica. Maybe I could bash another one out in 100 hours just as good or better. If I charge a measly $20 per hour, that makes it a model worth $2 grand.

[Eshaver]

I take pictures and include full stories on any building I do in scale . 

[Dennis Lacy]

No offense implied but I honestly don't understand this. It sounds awfully OCD. My wife is very supportive of my hobby but if I started doing things like this she'd probably commit me. 

[Nytrozilla]

I am going to start doing a "Build Book" for each model I do now, but they will be for competition purposes specifically. At the GSL, there must have been 40 books of models from start to finish. Not all judges know everything there is to know about your subject. If there is a build book for it, that could be the difference between you and your competition.

[DeeCee]

I do build up pics in my pic library, i figure that is enough, as it is saved on the computer.

[MeatMan]

I am going to start doing a "Build Book" for each model I do now, but they will be for competition purposes specifically. At the GSL, there must have been 40 books of models from start to finish. Not all judges know everything there is to know about your subject. If there is a build book for it, that could be the difference between you and your competition.

I do a build sheet for any model I do that requires extensive fabrication or kit bashing.  I list what I want to do with the model, what modifications I plan to do, and where I might get parts from and how much they cost.  I do it mostly during down time when I can't get to the bench but it's not a journal because once the build is done I don't follow up with what I actually did.

[Roadrunner]

I don't on past projects but I keep one for ideas for future ones.....

That I also do. I'd never remember one year to the next what cool idea I dreamed up, if I didn't log that idea somewhere. This is true for all of my modeling ideas, which extend well outside of cars projects.

Edited December 19, 2015 by Roadrunner

[sjordan2]

I don't see much value in it other than to sell later (by your heirs/survivors) on eBay.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Close as I get to a "build journal" for models is the notes I keep with them as they're progressing, and the occasional WIP I put up here.

Real cars, different story. The book on the '47 Caddy I'm wrapping up filled several legal pads, hundreds of photos, notes organized and typed up every couple weeks or so...but I have to do this to get paid, and so somebody can service the cars when I'm dead and gone.

Edited December 19, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[Tom Geiger]

I don't keep any kind of journal and I never count my hours on a project.  I really don't want to know. That makes it work.  The hours I spend on my hobby are leisure hours and if I wasn't at the bench I'd be on the computer or watching TV.  It could help me if I kept a few build notes. I hate when I return to a project after a while and can't remember which paint I used or other necessary details to move the build forward.

I do take a lot of photos as I work. I do so to record the build, and share it on the boards.  Most importantly, I see a lot of things in these photos that could be improved and can make corrections as I go.  

[High octane]

Same here. What exactly does that accomplish? I mean, it's fine if you are the type who likes to keep meticulous records and such... it obviously doesn't hurt anything if that's your thing, but I don't see any reason to do it.

I hafta agree with you, as I have enough work just finishing a model kit, let alone keeping records.

[Roadrunner]

I do take a lot of photos as I work. I do so to record the build, and share it on the boards.  Most importantly, I see a lot of things in these photos that could be improved and can make corrections as I go.  

Oh yes, me too. I can't begin to say how many times the photos have revealed things to me that I'd hitherto been unaware of. It's probably the single largest benefit I've received from modeling forums. Not the only benefit, but certainly a biggie.

[Eshaver]

I am going to start doing a "Build Book" for each model I do now, but they will be for competition purposes specifically. At the GSL, there must have been 40 books of models from start to finish. Not all judges know everything there is to know about your subject. If there is a build book for it, that could be the difference between you and your competition.

All too many times , both Spectators and judges alike don't pay a bit of attention as to the extra information presented with an exhibit . I see too many models judged on the "Beauty " as opposed to good workmanship