Is it just me or.............

[Jeff Sauber]

.

Edited November 22, 2009 by J. Sauber

[Guest promodmerc]

Now that fall is here I bet the building will pick back up. Summer is very busy for many people and they just don't have time to build. I for one fall into that. I'm not a high-end builder but I only have the opportunity to build Oct-Apr.

[Peter Lombardo]

You really know how to hurt a guy!

[BigGary]

Now that fall is here I bet the building will pick back up. Summer is very busy for many people and they just don't have time to build. I for one fall into that. I'm not a high-end builder but I only have the opportunity to build Oct-Apr.

It may be that given the expense of PE, etc. for a high quality model, plus the wonderful economy we're having right now, that it has become very expensive to build these models. When most of us are cringing at $25 kit prices, spending that much or more for accessories just isn't in the budget. When money gets tight, its not the grocery budget that takes the hit for model stuff, at least not in most houses.

Since I got laid off in August, (again), I've cut down on the summer spending spree. I haven't bought a kit since early August after buying 6 over the summer. Its a simple reality of life.

Gary

Edited October 9, 2009 by BigGary

[Chuck Most]

Good points Gary...I spent nearly 60 bucks just in paint supplies, tapes, and various glues...This stuff ain't cheap!!....It costs more to aquire the darn supplies, than the kits themselves.....Tamiya sprays are now going for 8 bucks a can!! Sheeeeesh.

Some photoetch items are also going for high amounts....which is why I try and fabricate as much as I can myself. However, there are times when photoetched parts are almost manditory for certain replicas...

Several reasons that I refuse to do a super-detailed build! Seriously, I'd rather check out somebody else's scratchbuilt, photoetched, unbelievably detailed build that embark upon such a project myself. I just haven't got THAT much patience!

[Fletch]

Gary, has an excellent point, the cost of new kits is over the top and we're faced with do we build multiple models out of the box or spend the big bucks on P/E parts and only build 1 or 2 models.

I recently, took my 11 year old nephew to the LHS to get him stocked up to START building. With just the basics of a new X-acto knife, a couple of different glues, a few bottles of paint and brushes and a new kit and it was $160. The kit manufactures can't figure out why the next generation isn't building, I know exactly why they're not building, they can't afford to build.

Hopefully, we'll see the major builds return as the weather forces us back indoors.

[Art Anderson]

No low blows intended .....You do fantastic stuff Peter!!

I just havn't seen the brass-soldering guys and the super deatilers that I've been used to seeing here, come out of the woodwork for a while....Could be a seasonal thing perhaps....

Well, speaking for myself, summer brings car shows and other outdoor weekend activities, which I enjoy too much to stay inside, cut, fit, glue and solder stuff together. Now that fall is here, and the outdoor car events have pretty much died off for another year here, it's back to the bench more. I've already soldered up the basics of the Knox frame, and finished the long leaf springs. And guess what? It's supposed to rain on my two days off this weekend!

Art

[Jon Cole]

Has anyone else noticed that the high end super-detail builders seemed to have tapered off here a bit?

Actually, the reason the top-tier builders has been somewhat non-existant this summer, is they have been "cocooning" for most of the summer.

Now with fall approaching, they are starting to "come out of their shells" so to speak.

I think we will be hearing more from them soon.

[meaneyme]

One thing I do notice about these full detail guys is that a lot of the details they add are a little out of scale, awesome stuff but out of scale. I know its not easy to scratchbuild, I wish I could do a lot of that stuff some of these guys do but again, a lot of it is out of scale. It's mostly noticable in the Drag version of the builds.

[Jon Cole]

One thing I do notice about these full detail guys is that a lot of the details they add are a little out of scale, awesome stuff but out of scale. I know its not easy to scratchbuild, I wish I could do a lot of that stuff some of these guys do but again, a lot of it is out of scale. It's mostly noticable in the Drag version of the builds.

That is a big time problem when I make something from scratch! Of course it's not a real issue for me, as I am not a "full detail guy"!

[Scott Colmer]

I'm not sure if this qualifies, but it is MY most detailed build. It's on hold because my brother-in law asked me to build a plane. Buildus interuptus.

Hosted on Fotki

Here is what I came up with. Almost done. Then is back to work on the tiny stuff.

Hosted on Fotki

Hosted on Fotki

Scott

[935k3]

Here is a link to an interesting scratch build for those are interested. He even made the body from fiberglass. It's a pretty long thread but worth it.

Porsche 908

[Modelmartin]

It has been kind of light out there lately. The last two GSL winners were nice but not of the caliber one would expect. I think the few people capable of doing that level of work are a little burned out or are recharging their batteries for the next go-around.

I have seen LOTS of great starts on super-duper stuff like that 908/3 thread but here is the big deal - finish the thing! Finishing something separates the men from the boys!!! Super-duper scratchbuilds and ultra-detail projects are easy to start. Anyone can start them. It takes a real model builder to finish one!!