To WIP or not to WIP

[StevenGuthmiller]

  On 4/20/2023 at 4:10 AM, Lunajammer said:

A WIP thread helps keep me motivated. I feel more obliged to finish telling the story once I've committed to the project. For that reason, I start taking pictures before I post anything. Once I feel like it's a project that I'm pretty serious about, I'll start telling the story. The feedback helps keep me interested too, particularly when I hit snags that I don't want to deal with but I push on through to keep the thread from dying.

Makes me feel like I'm not modeling all alone.

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Perfectly stated Mike!

 

Steve

[Anglia105E]

I make sure that I always have my trusty Kodak camera to one side of me at the workbench, so that as I complete each stage of a build I can record the result, partly for my own history of references and partly for posting here on MCM forum . . . As other experienced members have stated, very often you will see some detail in your own photo that somehow you overlooked while looking at the model. I do value comments from members, particularly if they are suggesting a better way of doing something. Looking back at WIP photos of a car that I am building for a second, third or tenth time usually reminds me of certain techniques or method of approach that I may have forgotten. Out of hundreds of photos that I do take, there are only less than half a dozen that actually make it to a topic on this forum, so only the ones that are good enough to be of interest to others.

David

[Pierre Rivard]

If we don't show our work and exchange learnings and ideas what's the use of the forum?

The w.i.p. section is my absolute favorite. You see cool stuff happening, discover ideas and get inspired by subjects I might want to build someday.

I post w.i.p. of my builds unless they are just OOB that do not have special issues. That's rare though because I always make changes to my builds. I do w.i.p. not because I think I have really special stuff to show but yes, occasionally, I might come up with an idea useful to others. The main reason for me is that I love the exchange of ideas with other builders and I welcome them posting ideas or tips on my own thread. It keeps things going and helps me figure out solutions along the way.

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

It depends on how lazy I feel....right now I'm REAL lazy...you'll just have to wait and see it on the shelf, if I ever finish it. So be it... -RRR

[89AKurt]

I forgot to mention that members have volunteered parts to use, such as a set of tires/wheels for the Studejimmy to have a spare.  I also have ideas offered, such as mudflaps for the same project.  I also traded for making wood steering wheel rims because I showed how I was doing that.  This wouldn't happen, if this forum didn't exist, or I took the risk of looking like an idiot in failing to not finish a project, or showing how to strip paint with brake fluid, again.

[Ace-Garageguy]

  On 4/20/2023 at 1:31 PM, 89AKurt said:

...or I took the risk of looking like an idiot in failing to finish a project...

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I've been risking looking like that kind of idiot...and succeeding...for years.   

[Farmboy]

  On 4/18/2023 at 9:33 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

I've found that the most value I get from my own WIPs is flaws that jump out in photos on a big screen that I'd somehow overlooked on the bench

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Man, you nailed that one!  Like you, the times I've posted and picked out things that needed correction have been more helpful than aggravating.  I do wip's 'cause I've always enjoyed reading those done by other modelers.  At the end of the day they help improve my skills and attention to detail.  At the same time I'm hoping any I do post are at least a bit interesting and maybe even informative....kinda like giving back

[Rockford]

I try to do a WIP on all my builds for a few reasons. Firstly, who else can I talk to about them? While my wife likes to see me enjoying my hobby, my enthusing about a nicely done interior or chassis is usually met with a blank stare and a "that's nice". As for my mates, they'd look at me like I had two heads (I haven't, honestly).

It also gives me an incentive to get things finished. I'm a miserable beggar and would soon drop the ball on projects because I deem them rubbish, but the positive comments from forum members inspires me to soldier on. 

I can tap into the experience of the other forum members. I've seen some great ideas on here and received some valuable guidance on my builds. 

There's my two pennies.