Can there be too many parts?

[Xingu]

I am working on a Fujimi/Testors Porsche 911 Turbo. There are 48 pieces to the engine assembly. There is a lot of detail (I am sure it isn't enough for some), but man this is a good amount of work for something that will not be seen that well when the model is complete. A good portion of the engine in the 1:1 reference photos I am using is hidden.

Anyone else build a model and ask yourself why so much detail here and not near enough there?

Ok, rant over.

[Jordan White]

48 pieces does seem a bit much for a kit smaller than 1/12 scale, so that is certainly a case of too many parts. However, on the other end, some kits (namely older ones) have too few parts, electing to combine parts together (such as heads and intake manifold). It does seem like a balancing act to have enough parts for detail's sake, but not too many to where the builder is overwhelmed by numerous little pieces or bad fitment that throws off a bunch of other parts. On the other hand though, it seems that many of the larger scale kits seem to not have enough parts. Most of the Japanese large scale kits have plenty of parts and detail to create a convincing kit (Tamiya and Doyusha/Otaki come to mind), while the American kits seem to be not much more than scaled up 1/24 or 1/25 kits. Sure they don't need to go all out with working suspensions and turning steering wheels, but at least have poseable steering and enough parts to fill out an engine bay properly.

[afx]

The kit you are building is part Fujimi's "Enthusiast Series" so by definition you would expect more detail.  If you can believe it I added parts to the last Fujimi 911 engine I built.  I am firmly in the more detail camp and if that means more parts so be it.

However not every kits need to be enthusiast caliber to be a great kit.  Fidelity, execution and engineering of the kit is far more important than total part count.

[Mark]

The AMT Chevy vans.  I built one a couple of years ago, wired the engine and you can barely see the engine at all when you cut the hood open like the earliest versions.  The chassis has an insane number of parts considering the interior has no inner door panel detail.  I did add full interior detail, but that was a pain.  They got it right with the Ford Econoline later on; that one does have door panel detail (though only for the passenger doors, not the cargo area).  The chassis has fewer pieces than the Chevy, but has the same level of detail.

[XJ6]

I am building a Fujimi 250 GTO Ferrari.....at this time with 250 parts, and with that many parts I find my self dragging down on the build and to mention those Tiny P\E parts

[Mr mopar]

you can never have enough parts !

[Dann Tier]

I love all the parts......the more the better, but on newer cars where its almost impossible to see it all, it doesn't bother me if theres a lot or not. I use those kits as a way of taking a break from doing super detailed builds. To me, even though a kit has high parts counts, doesn't mean I have to even detail paint it, I've been known to just paint what can be seen -even with the hood/bonnet glued down. Even with Enthusiast Fujimi kits. Another good point to having a kit with tons of parts is that if you want to, you can glue the hood down and use the engine, or its unassembled parts for dioramas.

[Can-Con]

This thread brings to mind the Trumpeter Pontiacs and Monte Carlo.

5 peice radiator on the Pontiacs, 6 if you count the shroud. I don't need a 5 peice radiator for good detail.

Way too many parts  and the engines looked like carp. 

Edited March 1, 2017 by Can-Con

[niteowl7710]

Those Fujimi Enthusiast Series kits also come with engine stands and data plates so you can display the engine out of the car next to the (obviously now curbside) model. 

Edited March 2, 2017 by niteowl7710

[Snake45]

The fewer parts, the better. Some of my most enjoyable builds of the last few years have been simple curbsides and snappers (and pimping out promos and cheap diecasts) where I can concentrate on sit and stance and paint and finish. I'd rather have a model with THESE things right and no detail at all, than a model with every imaginable detail but bad paint or a goofy stance.

[Shardik]

I am fanatical about engine detail, so I love all the detail in the "Enthusiast series" Porsches (I have two of them), but my fellow military modellers on this forum are probably chuckling along with me at seeing these kits described as 'high parts count'.  I'm in the process of building a Panzer IV with 1,230 parts - and thats 1:35 scale with no engine! 

[cowboy rich]

I am fanatical about engine detail, so I love all the detail in the "Enthusiast series" Porsches (I have two of them), but my fellow military modellers on this forum are probably chuckling along with me at seeing these kits described as 'high parts count'.  I'm in the process of building a Panzer IV with 1,230 parts - and thats 1:35 scale with no engine! 

1/35 & over 1200 parts! I wouldn't attempt one myself. Your friends in the armor probably way passed chuckles 

[High octane]

you can never have enough parts !

Ditto, as back in '59 & '60 we used ALL the parts and decals too!

[Eshaver]

Of course there can be ! My goodness , when you go to scaling something , you want the average modeler to be able to complete a given task in a reasonable amount of time . Oh look, we have modelers here who will delight in such a kit . I myself would be fine with a mix of pieces and parts .

[CometMan]

The high parts count in automotive kits never phases me. I build cars when I need a break from ship building, which like the armor kits, pretty routinely have parts counts well over 1000.

[peteski]

If you think that the kit you are building has too many parts you should see some of the 1:35 scale military vehicle kits - many of those have between 2,000-4,000 parts!  More modeling time for your buck!  Many of those parts are for the track which is built one-link-at-a-time. But seriously, some of those are a bit of an overkill.

[Mike999]

A favorite (military) parts story:  a few years ago, TAKOM released its fantastic kits of the Mark IV World War I tank.  But the tracks...

According to Terry Ashley at Perth Military Modeling Society: each individual track link was made up of FIVE (5) separate parts. The kit required 92 track links on each side, for a sub-total of 460 parts per side, or 920 (NINE HUNDRED AND TWENTY!!!) parts just for the 2 track runs.

Even TAKOM realized this was insane, and simplified the tracks in later WWI tank kits.  The new tracks were one-piece links that clicked together and looked just as good as the multi-piece tracks. TAKOM also cleverly sold those simplified tracks as aftermarket items.
 

[gtx6970]

For me?  , Yes . To  many is TO much.

Ive reached a point in my life when less is more.  If its a lot I tend to get bored with it and put it away.

Thats one of the reasons I like the old annuals. Most of them the hoods don't even open.

Edited March 3, 2017 by gtx6970

[Lunajammer]

I'm very influenced by parts count. I'm big on the older kits. Even a subject I'm very interested in can be passed over if it appears to be too time consuming and fussy. If you do custom body work and wire and plumb your engine then a high parts count is just the beginning, add more to that. No thanks.

[62rebel]

depending on the subject matter, I can go either way. Too many parts, if they're not accurate and need fettling, get in the way. the reverse is true, too. Too spare of detail detracts from the overall build. I will, however, glue a hood shut and build only a "show" engine to keep the engine compartment from being empty. Getting the external "look" right is more important to me these days.

[Jim N]

Yes, there can be too many parts.  As I have gotten older, I do get bored with kits that have parts just for the sake of a parts count.  It's additional time and perhaps paint and whatnot for stuff that will likely not be seen.  Also poor engineering, poor building or a mistake by the builder can create fit problems and results that are less than desirable.

The other issue that comes to my mind on a topic like this is that this hobby must attract more builders and the days of people building a dozen or two dozen kits before they see progress are over.  They will not stick it out that long because there are too many other alternatives to spend their free time.

[62rebel]

That's one of the benefits Round2 has given by putting the parts breakdown on the box bottoms IMHO; seeing what the makeup of the kit is helps inexperienced builders judge whether to try that kit. Now, if they would replace one side view on the box with a photo of the parts, that would be even better than simple silhouettes. No other maker seems willing to show their parts. BTW, makers, if you're listening: cool box art only fools a buyer one time... if the kit is junk, then admit it.... don't keep fooling people with something only a master builder could create from what's in the box.

Edited March 2, 2017 by 62rebel
censoring

[Jordan White]

Of course, too few parts gives us the "melted" brake booster/master cylinder, battery, and heater core housing, which also goes back to the "too much detail in one area, not enough in another" dilemma.

[Xingu]

Here is the cause of my temporary insanity. All 2"x2"x2" of it. I still have a little bit of detail painting to do (not that you are going to be able to see it).

[Jim N]

The work you have done is really outstanding!  Too bad it has to go into the car where a lot of the detail will be lost.