What are your pre-build planning methods?

[Roadrunner]

My process so far has been the essence of simplicity,... determine what color/colors it's going to be, and that's pretty much it.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Look at the kit in person before buying, if possible. Research builds online, look for flaws, etc.

Buy it. Open it, look at everything, read the instructions, oogle at the decal sheet.

Look at paint options, engine swaps, wheels and tires, interior bits... ultimately, rusty junker or roller/streetable vehicle.

Draw a picture of it, sometimes.

[Earl Marischal]

Idea - Research - Parts and supply acquisition - put it all together.

That's about it for me too.

I build my model railways the same way. 

steve 

[DeeCee]

I can usually "SEE" what i want out of a build, and just go for it, i find too much planning brings disappointment, or frustration,

neither of which belongs in my model room.....

[landman]

That's about it for me too.

I build my model railways the same way. 

steve 

I'd like it to be like that. But sometimes the parts acquisition comes halfway through the build, causing delays, or worse: I forget I ordered it and it comes in after the thing is built.

[gtx6970]

What is this thing called Planning you mention.?

 

I see a subject I like ,, then go from there. Which usually means I look for and buy the subject kit,,,, then I see something I like and the process repeats. The problem with this method is nothing gets built ,,,but my stash grows and grows and grows .............

[10thumbs]

Pics, pics and more pics.

Plans?  They're just something to ruin my day.

 

 

LOL. @Bill just above....I hear that!

 

Edited October 4, 2015 by 10thumbs

[b-body fan]

Silly me, I usually look over the instructions a few times.

[DrKerry]

I just get a spark of imagination and run with it. A lot of times I make it up as I go...

[rel14]

I just do what the little voices in my head tell me,, first I spend endless hours looking at pictures trying to get a idea,, and a game plan,, then make a plan of attack, and go for it,,, sometimes it works,,sometimes it don't,, just never give in,,,

I was always took that if there is a will,,,there is a way,,, 

[thatz4u]

    Tom Geiger    "I let the voices in my head guide me. They haven't let me down yet!"

 

Ya, Tom, me also

[talon63]

I usually keep a dozen or kits on-hand, and when I can find them on clearance, I'll sometimes buy two or three of the same thing.

Then's off to do the research. Lots of photo searching, then line art searching (I can draw, but I'm much faster with a computer). I can use the line art as a base for trying paint schemes, body mods, pinstriping, etc. Here are the mockup and bench images of a 58 T-bird that's still finishing off.

I also pull the instruction sheet from the kit and go through each bit, annotating where changes should be, parts that aren't accurate, parts that were left out of the detail of the kit, like parking brake pedals and release levers, floor mount high-beam switches, etc. 

Next is collection and fabricating of parts. I tend to make a lot of different things from a few items I keep on-hand. heat-shrink tubing is remarkably versatile for creating hoses, breather tubes, spark plug boots, weatherstripping and seals, even the odd wiper blade.

Then it's time to start laying everything out. I keep my reference photos up on a 50" monitor, lots of screen real estate to keep several large pics open at once, and keep everything large enough to see detail.

 The rest is just time. Some days I may only do some research, other days become a flurry of activity, where it just seems like the kit is just coming together without my interference. Building reminds me a lot of when I painted. that newly opened box is like a blank white canvas. Sometimes the canvas knows what it wants to show you, other times times you have to coax it out. And what you get you get when you finish is, sometimes, nothing like what you thought you were going to do. Like the `49 Merc in satin black I did. That had nothing in common with my vision when I first opened the box.

 

[Jon Haigwood]

I normal start my planning when I'm laying in bed trying to get to sleep.

Funny thing is, that when I have a problem on how to do a modification or a paint issue I normally figure it at that same time of night. 

[louie]

I normal start my planning when I'm laying in bed trying to get to sleep.

Funny thing is, that when I have a problem on how to do a modification or a paint issue I normally figure it at that same time of night. 

same here. I think as i lay in Bed before I Fall Asleep . Ever since I can remember I have always done this. I plan my next day or my next model project or whatever. I am not a factory stock person but don't get me wrong I do love em, so I don't really gather much reference on a particular car. I do though on engine details especially when I want to go wild. I am a day 2 car nut. It's what got me into cars in the first place and it's what I still lean to when I build. Also I have to be organized and when I stray from being organized I am in trouble. Can't find anything, can't finish anything , so I try to keep things in order. What a great topic this is. I have really enjoyed reading the different strategies that everyone has. Thank you.        Jeff 

[dartman]

I dont make plans,premeditated gets thrown around the courtroom  to much........