A Thank You to ALL Forum members.

[DRG]

Over the past year, almost, the members of this Forum have been very kind and helpful to me in my attempts to build models.

I'm sure there have been times when people got a little disgusted with me as it seemed I wasn't improving and in fact still having the same problems.

Over the past week I have looked over those models I built in 2010 and some of them are not that bad. I need to try BMF but I don't feel I'm quite ready for that yet.

Clean up mold lines, prime and paint a good body. Learn to detail the interior better and so forth.

My frustration comes from, not your builds, but from my desires to build that one model that says WOW!.

I will get there, God willing and the Creek don't rise.

Thank all of you for your patience, kindness and understanding.

I pray that I have offended no one.

[trogdor]

We all have to start somewhere. There are days I thank God there is no evidence of what I built as a child. So at least in my mind I can have good memories. Now that I've gotten back into the hobby as an older man, I can see I have a lot of learning to do. Just have fun with it and try to do a little better each time. Remember it's just a hobby.

[Guest Markus355]

the builds of your's that ive seen have looked ok to me. ive been building for a while (on and off for about 20 years) and have just recently started bmf's and polishing my models.

i find the biggest hurdle is learning to use what tool for what job, what type of glue for what part and so on. and as far as painting is concerned, patience patience patience. if your wondering if its dry yet? it probably isnt! lol

[whale392]

Well Donald, I have been involved with building models since 1984, and have a grand total of.............5 (maybe) completed. I have aquired skills along the path though that have taken my unfinished piles of plastic from 'Wow' (that looks like something I stepped in last week) to 'WOW' (you know, it would be nice if this guy would finish one as it looks darn good right now). I have yet to finish one to that 'WOW! level (the 'Holy Horsepoo, that is awesome' level), so do not feel bad.

With time and builds will come experience enough and trial and error enough for you to finally build that 'WOW!' model (or at least for my sake I hope I am right ).

Edited February 13, 2011 by whale392

[DanielG]

Donald, it is all about attitude. Below is a picture of my little buddy, Nolan. Therein lies a story (I don't mean the fat lip and barked face and missing tooth, that was a result of falling off his pogo-stick!). The sci-fi model that he is pictured painting has a LOT of extra glue just to make sure things stay stuck together. I casually mentioned that he might have gotten a little glue smeared all over the canopy, to which he simply replied " Yeah, I want it to look like it is all bashed up. Awesome!"

So I guess my point is that he has fun building and as long as it looks 'awesome' to him, nothing else matters. Constantly comparing your models to others' is a mug's game, there will always be someone else 'better'. So, be like Nolan, have fun and keep building 'awesome' models!

[envious8420]

Exactly. Build for you, not us. We love to see them, but they are sitting on your shelf.

[High octane]

Keep the faith and keep up the good work Donald as I only finished ONE model last year and I've been building for a long time. Remember that it's supposed to be fun!

[Tony T]

I've been building for quite a while...40ish years...have I learned to build better models? Yup. Have my skills improved? Yup. Are they perfect? Nope. Do I mess them up (not on purpose) sometimes? Yup. Do I still love building models? Yup! Who do I build for? ME!

I love that I can share the models I build here. Do I care if you like them? No. Is it cool when you do? You bet! Does it matter either way? Not really.

Have fun building. When you make mistakes (you will) try to learn from it, and learn how to fix it. But have fun doing it.

DanielG's buddy Nolan has a great attitude towards building. It's awesome to him. THAT is awesome all by itself.

I hope you enjoy the hobby in a way that give you satisfaction, relaxation, a wonderful escape, or all of the above.

(Dr. Cranky gets my vote for having the most fun building though!!)

[bigmikevee]

Hey Donald,

You are in the same boat as me, trying to make good models and learn from the gang here. Now that you have got the hang of the basics, do what I did. Get some bmf and put it on after you have sanded and prepped the model, but before you paint it. Then take it off and put on again.....and again.....and again. Just cut out strips to frame in say, a windshield, and repeat, repeat, repeat.

Doing thin strips is not that expensive, the ultra-brite foil has poor adhesive, everything else is fine. Now, jump in, experiment, and have fun.

Mike

[Bridgebuster]

Thank all of you for your patience, kindness and understanding.

I pray that I have offended no one.

You and me too brother. Everyone here has been patient when I ask what they see as obvious, and more than willing to share knowledgbe, technique etc. A great bunch of folks and a blessing to a virtual newbie like me. I thank every one of you also.

[jbwelda]

i think that turquoise 49 ford is looking sharp. keep it up!

[Mike Kucaba]

If you want to practice with BMF,Get some cheap foil from a 99 cents store(the cheaper the better) making sure it's real thin and some foil adhesive. This will give you an idea as to how little pressure it takes to cut the stuff. Real BMF is kinda expensive to practice with.

[ra7c7er]

I doubt you will offend anyone here. I myself and a complete novice and even screwed up a 1/32 snap kit just a few days ago. I learn a lot from this site and the members here. I just have a hard time putting that knowledge on a model but it will come with time. Just stick with it and ask questions when you have them.

[Patrick2005]

I agree with everyone else here when they say build for you. It's about YOUR ideas and YOUR tastes, no one else should matter. I personally have grown in my abilities over the years and strive with each model to be even half as good as some of the veterans here. I've come to realize this is less of a hobby forum and more of a family and I am darn proud to say I'm a part of it. Keep up your hard work and build what you love!

[Nick Notarangelo]

First off I have seenn people who have been building for over 20 years every so often turn up junk and call it a work of art.

You have only been doing this like you said for about a year and what you have done has most definitly been a steady improvment compard what I have seen here and else where.

Even the guys who do all the shows and win awards turn up junk ever so often,so dont sweat it.

You keep going the way you are and try a new thing with each build before you know,you will have much to show for,so dont be ashamed or upset by your earlier progress,just keep trucking and building.

What I find usful is a model journel,In which I keep notes of what I have done so I will learn from my mistakes and how I can Improve from them.

When I first started for the first few kits I did nothing but build and after awhile I added a color or two,then a full painted kit,maybe some wiring,maybe some photoetch and resin add ons.

just keep going and you will be fine.

Good Luck on all your future builds,and if you screw up which everyone does you score two ways also,extra parts and practice material for the next one.

[crazyjim]

Hey Don - a nice feature about BMF is that you can easily remove it and do it all over again. NOt like you have to repair or repaint something.

Hang in there - we all can't be masters at this hobby. Just do the best you can and have some FUN.