Has anyone priced a "complete" kit build encluding aftermarket parts and paint and glue ?

[wisdonm]

Hippie, that's the way I look at golf. When you count strokes, I'm what I call a value golfer.

Edited June 6, 2012 by wisdonm

[showbuilder]

i don't count every penny i spend on a finished model but i do keep a rounded off running total for my personal reference. i build all my models for competition so no expense is spared. here are a few examples......................................

revell c-5r built boxstock with about 30 bucks spent for kit and supplies........build time about 25 hrs.

peterbilt 378 tractor with scratchbuilt trailer with about 400 bucks for kits and supplies......build time about 200hrs

ford ltl 9000 with scratchbuilt trailer and tamiya tank with about 900 bucks for kits and supplies.....build time 400+hrs

revell corvette with about 150 bucks for kit and supplies and 55 hrs build time.

some of my builds use parts from up to four of five different kits which i have to purchase to achieve the final build i'm looking for. supplies are the cost of paint/clear, photoetch, aluminum, decals, resin etc. i do not figure glues and tools into the finished build cost because much of this is used on several builds.

i think it all comes down to how far you want to take it. you can build a great boxstock model for very a limited amount or you can go all out super detailed if the budget allows. some build for contests and others don't, some spend unlimited money on a build, some don't. it all comes down to each person and what they enjoy to do. B)

[Fat Brian]

Kitbashing is where I spend most of my money, when you combine parts from a half a dozen kits things start to get pricey.

[The70judgeman]

I built a model for a contest last year that, I guess you could say...I went all out on. It was the first time trying many things....BMF, modifying, minor weathering, and a few other things. I did add up all the "extras" for that one build and it came in at about $90...the kit, BMF, aluminum parts, paint, soldering wire, wheels and tires, distributer/plug wire set, photo etch, ribbon(for seat belts), and weathering paints. All of that, not including my time into building the model. At least I can use most of the stuff I bought for numerous builds. In the end though, I got nothing for my efforts, but a nice model...IMO. That's the last time I do something like that again. No more contests for me...just build for fun and the enjoyment of building. Contests just take the fun out of it...and it also costs too much.

[The70judgeman]

If contests take the fun out of the hobby, your doing it wrong. You are going there expecting something for your efforts, try going there just to have fun with other modelers.

It wasn't a local contest, say at a hobby store or like NNL(?). It was a contest on youtube and and imo it was rigged for 1st and 2nd, based on the particular winners. 3rd was a nearly identical model as mine, in the same class, that deviated from the rules. So, hopefully you can understand my point then. I've won some plaques and a ribbons in the past. So, no I'm not expecting to win something everytime.

[DR JAY]

By the time the smoke cleared this one was almost 400 bucks- but that includes a handsome wood and glass display case, a photo-narrative spiral bound book documenting the build, around 25 donor kits and all of the supplies required to complete the project (Which were bought specifically for this build). It was a 65th birtday present for dad from the family, so price was not a factor.If I kept track of the cost of everything I enjoy I would have to sell my motorcycle and pare down my single malt on the rocks to just the rocks. That's no fun.

By the way- I don't build FOR contests; however I do build as though it would be viewed at one. By that I mean that I attempt to complete every one of my builds as though it were to be judged by others in order to keep my standards up and not slack off on stuff I'm not fond of doing...like foiling and detail painting.I feel that as soon as my hobby involves competition for prizes it takes the fun out of it for me. Just my 2 cents...

Edited June 6, 2012 by DR JAY

[VW Dave]

The only reason to tally the cost of all the ingredients like that would be if you were building a specific replica model for a customer....and I no longer care to do either.